Accountancy
Home truth
IF YOU are a doctor, do not take your son or daughter as a patient. If you regulate traffic as a cop, look the other way if your kith jump the signal. If you are a teacher, never coach your offspring. If you are a taxman, do not take up the returns of yo
ur near and dear for scrutiny. And, if you are a CA, never supervise when your apprentices write their exams.
Core of competence
S. Murlidharan on whether companies should stick to their knitting or diversify.
Agriculture
Corporatising agriculture -- a blueprint
In the wake of globalisation under the WTO, the Government should formulate a reasonably acceptable policy for export of farm commodities. All forms of canalisation of export of farm commodities should be abolished. Also, agriculture should be freed from
domestic restrictions on the movement of farm commodities. It needs liberation from domestic controls and restrictions, more than liberalisation in international trade.
Editorial
`Delayed to Home'
THE UNANIMOUS APPROVAL given by the Group of Ministers to allow Direct-to-Home broadcasting services using the Ku band should help remove the fetters on an alternative mode of delivery that was unfairly and wrongly dubbed as sinister. Though this proposa
l has crossed only the first stage, it seems increasingly likely that DTH may become a reality soon. However, this proposal, forwarded by the GoM to the Cabinet for approval, is at least three years too late.
Miscellaneous
Script-writer reduced to mouthpiece?
IN THE gender equity game, even in the 21st century, women lose out to men in many areas -- from the corporate world to religion. It was discrimination in the latter that led to an enraged former US President, Mr. Jimmy Carter, recently ending his long r
elationship with the Southern Baptist Church over its ``rigid attitude'' in dealing with women. He took this rather harsh decision in June, when the Baptist Church declared that women should no longer serve as pastors.
Policy
Fast Track Section 560 Scheme -- I -- Making virtue of dereliction of duty
The Fast Track Section 560 Scheme has left too many casualties: Common sense, intent of law, fairplay and those unfortunate enough to have promoted stillborn companies. They have to pay the price for another's dereliction of duty. The DCA must do the dec
ent thing and withdraw the scheme.
Politics
Martial politics?
RECENTLY, something unusual drew the media's attention -- the Russian President, Mr Vladimir Putin's proficiency in judo. He is said to hold a black belt in this martial art. It is interesting that one who is successor to a ruthless dictator such as Jose
f Stalin and the renowned Second World War hero, Leonid Brezhnev, should have taken to martial arts, presumably as a hobby. Some cynics may bemoan ``what use all this `karate' prowess in these days of total warfare and total obliteration?'' But the point
is, in recent times, even in fairly advanced countries, tussles in the legislative assemblies often end up in scuffles.
States
Sad `state' of affairs
While individuals will have to adjust to the changes the new States bring about, there are larger issues that require attention. It will be interesting to see, once the celebrations are over, how the leaders cope with the nitty-gritty of building the new
States, and whether they deliver all that they are promising.
