Drones Are Watching You !

That is the title of a recent news report in Mumbai Mirror

Over the past week-end , 5 drones kept a watch on the traffic on the Mumbai Pune Expressway and caught 15 drivers who committed traffic violations such as speeding , cutting lanes etc

Aditya Hingane of Aerial Mappers , which carried out this operation , said :

"  If someone cuts lane , cameras immediately zoom in on the vehicle and take pictures of the registration plate.

The information is relayed to the nearest toll plaza. There, the driver is handed the photographic evidence and a ticket  "

All over the World , drones are being " experimented " for :

#    Traffic Monitoring /  Delivery of parcels / Crowd Management

#    Photography / Spying / Surveillance  of Oil Pipelines / Military Uses...etc

I suppose , there is no technological problem if we want to use drones to :

#    Catch honking or smoke-belching vehicles

#    Monitor unauthorized construction

#    Record encroachments on Public Properties / Lands

#    Locate encroachment of foot-paths by hawkers

#    Anything you can think up !

But , so far no country has granted unrestricted permission to individuals or companies to fly drones , wherever and whenever they want ( - and for any imaginable purpose ! )

Simply because it would be a nightmare to control millions of drones flying overhead , in all Directions and at varying Altitudes and Speeds - causing a  3 DIMENSIONAL ,  Aerial Traffic Jam  !

And technology for " Constructing / Laying Out " highways in the sky , is still some years away !

But since problems cannot wait for drones to cover the sky, my following suggestions offer quick and simple solutions :

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#    Honking of Vehicles....................................... HORN, OK ?

                                                                           { http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/08/horn-ok.html }

#    Scrapping of old polluting Vehicles ...................Youngor Old ?

                                                                          { http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/08/young-or-old.html }

                                                                            AllCharged Up ?

                                                                       { http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/08/all-charged- up.html }

#    Encroachment of Footpaths............................. Algorithmbased Salary

                                                          { http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/05/algorithm-based-salary.html }

#    Urban Transport Revolution............................. ARadical Radial Revolution

                                                       { http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-radical-radial-revolution.html }

#    Surge Pricing................................................. Tabletsin Taxies ?

                                                                     { http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/05/tablets-in-taxies.html }

#    Getting Rid of Pot holes.................................... Pot-holesare forever ?

                                                            { http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/07/pot-holes-are-for-ever.html }

                                                                             ColdAsphalt is the Answer

                                                            { http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/07/cold-asphalt-is-answer.html }

#    Non-polluting Electric Vehicles........................... PiyushPlan ?

                                                                            { http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/03/piyush-plan.html }

                                                                              RetiringOld Vehicles - Gadkari Style ?

                                            { http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/05/retiring-old-vehicles-gadkari-style.html }

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Last week , while hearing a petition for " Removal of Encroachments on Footpaths " , here is what the Supreme Court said :

"  Do you think with our directions everything will be done ? Do you ( petitioner ) think we will pass an order that there will be no corruption in the Country and all corruption will go ?

Should we pass an order that there will be ' Ram Rajya " in the country ?  It cannot be like this

We want to do various things but we cannot do . Our capacity to do things is limited . This is a problem

We cannot go by an assumption that everything in the country is wrong "

The Bench, which had earlier said it would dismiss the plea , later posted it for hearing in February , 2017

While appreciating that the Supreme Court cannot order " Installation of Ram Rajya " in the country , I hope it would , at least , " request " the Authorities concerned to examine the feasibility of my suggestions

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02  Sept  2016

www.hemenparekh.in / blogs

  

Marginal / Peripheral / Incremental ?

Hindustan Times ( 01 Sept 2016 ) carries a news report titled :

 " Government approves permanent residency status for foreign investors "

Following are the highlights of the report  :

" The Centre approved on Wednesday a plan to allow foreign investors to settle, emulating a policy in countries such as the United States and Singapore to woo investment from abroad.

Foreigners need to invest 100 million rupees ($1.49 million) over 18 months, or 250 million rupees over three years, resulting in jobs for at least 20 resident Indians every fiscal year to be allowed to settle, the government said in a statement.

Those who meet the criteria would be eligible to stay for 10 years. The residency permit can be extended by a decade. Up to now, such investors have been eligible for business visas lasting up to five years.

NDA government has pointed to a 23% rise in foreign direct investment (FDI) to $55.5 billion in the fiscal year to March as proof the policies are gaining traction.

Investors with the permanent residency status would be free to buy one home, and spouses and dependents would be allowed to take private jobs and study, the government said "

QUESTION :

Other than some very poor people of nearby Bangla Desh , which other " foreigners " are " itching " to get a  Permanent Residency Status  in India ? - even without having to invest and pot holes not coming in the way !

ANSWER :

None  !

Even if some of that FDI ( $ 55.5 billion ) was made by " Individuals " , it was certainly not for getting a Permanent Residency !

On Sept 01 , 2017 , if someone files a RTI application , he will be informed that this new initiative has managed to attract 10 foreigners to come forward and invest Rs 100 cr  !

But , if NDA government is serious to attract , not Rs 100 cr , but Rs 100 LAKH*CRORE , then it needs to take some BOLD / GAME-CHANGING measures , such as one described in my following suggestion ( earlier sent as email to all central Ministers ) :

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Friday, 1 July 2016

FDI : By any other name ?

Many years ago , Shakespeare wrote :

" A Rose by any other name , would smell as sweet "

English-speaking Americans have turned this around to say :

" FDI by any other means , would work as well "

They are calling their FDI , " Invest in US and get Green Card " scheme

Officially called , " The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program " , it invites foreigners to invest in USA , through following routes :

#   " Direct Investment Route " , which requires,

     *  Starting a new Business and creating at least 10 full time local jobs by bringing in $ 1 million

        But this process is very cumbersome

#   " Central Investment Program " , which requires,

     *  Bringing in and investing $ 500,000 in a Government approved EB - 5 project in America

     *  Get your full money back after 5 years

     *  If you are lucky , you may earn 0.5 % - 1 % return every year

In 2015 , 18,000 foreign citizens invested ( approx ) $ 9 Billion in US under these programs  - peanuts compared to a total of over $ 231 billion worth of FDI in USA in 2014 . Among these were 111 Indians

Now , I admit that no foreigner is dying to get a " Green Card " in India - and therefore unlikely to take advantage of a similar scheme , if we were to launch one !

But , we can come up with a scheme that will motivate 111,000 Indians to bring in and invest $ 500 billion within ONE YEAR !

( remember that amount siphoned out of India illegally and stashed abroad by Indians , between 2005-2015 ? )

MY  SUGGESTION :

#  NAME  OF  THE  SCHEME :

    EB-3 Scheme ( Earn by Bring Back Black )

#  WHO  CAN  INVEST  ?

    Any Indian citizen who has stashed away undisclosed / illegal assets abroad

#  WHERE  CAN  THEY  INVEST  ? 

    Scheme A 

#  Repay those loans taken from Indian Banks forming Rs 7 lakh*crore of NPA

                        Willful Defaulters repaying bad loans will be spared prosecution

                        No need for Govt money ( er , Tax-Payer Money ) , to bail out those banks !

  

    Scheme B 

#  Invest in State-wise Infrastructure SPVs ( not Central SPVs ) , managed by Private Sector

                       These will be approved by each state for implementation of the following projects within the state:

    *  Roads / Bridges / Ports / Airports / Smart Cities / Dams / Lakes-Ponds for water conservation / Forestation

    *  Healthcare / Education / Skills Development / Swatchh Bharat / Methane from Garbage  / Digital India

    *  Renewable Energy / Manufacture of Electric Vehicles / Setting up of Electric Charging Stations etc 

   

    All such State SPVs will need to be approved by the Central Government , for which the State will need to agree

    for full cooperation in implementation of the Central River Interlinking Project

#  HOW  MUCH  MUST  THEY  INVEST  ?

    No upper limit but a minimum of Rs 10 crores

#  WHAT  PROTECTION FOR  INVESTORS  ?

    No questions asked as to the source of funds , whether brought in from abroad using official channels or

    deposits made in CASH from local lockers ! No penalty , nor any civil / criminal action against investors

#  WHAT  INCENTIVE  FOR  INVESTORS  ?

    All interest / dividends paid out by the SPV , will be tax-free for 10 years if re-invested in any other similarly approved SPV

#  HOW  LONG  CAN  THEY  AVAIL  OF  THIS  SCHEME  ?

    This scheme will open on 01 April 2017 and close on 31 March 2018

#  HOW  CAN  INDIA  BENEFIT  FROM  THIS  SCHEME  ?

   *  Inflow of $ 500 Billion ( Rs 34 lakh*crore ) within ONE YEAR

   *  Generate 50 million jobs by 2020

   *  State Governments will go all out to

        #   Motivate private sector to set-up Infrastructure SPVs within their State

        #   Vastly simplify government approval process

        #   Eliminate / Reduce , rules , procedures and permissions

        #   Introduce " State level Incentives " to attract those BLACK MONIES into SPVs

I believe , with introduction of EB-3 Scheme , there will be such fierce competition between the States that India's rank in " Ease of Doing Business " will jump from current 130 to within TOP FIVE !

And all of this without having to pass any law in the Parliament - and with least dependence on bureaucrats !

Dear Policy Makers :

With two years already gone without making much of a dent ,  I urge you to stop tinkering with  INCREEMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

Promising freebies before State Elections , won't take you beyond 2019 !

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01  Sept  2016

www.hemenparekh.in / blogs

Be-Aware / Beware !

Hindustan Times ( 30 Aug 2016 ) carries a news report titled :

"  Income Tax dept will ‘name and shame’ those defaulting over Rs 1 crore  "

 

The report elaborates :

" The Income Tax department, beginning this financial year, has decided to ‘name and shame’ all taxpayers who have a default of Rs one crore and above.

The department has begun publishing the names of tax defaulters in leading national dailies since last year and has named 67 such defaulters from across the country till now with their vital details like addresses, contacts, PAN card

number and shareholders in case of companies.

The earlier exercise was restricted to people with defaults to the tune of about Rs 20-30 crore but the new measure will bring to the fore those names who have defaulted a tax of Rs 1 crore or more.

“It has been decided to ‘name and shame’ all category of taxpayers, including personal and corporate taxpayers who have a default of Rs 1 crore and above by March, 31 which is the end of 2016-17 financial year.”

“The names will be published before July 31 next year,” a senior official said.

An order in this regard, also accessed by PTI, has also been issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).

The official said the aim of the exercise is to inform the public at large about such tax evaders whom the taxman has not been able to lay their hands on despite using various investigative and enforcement tools.

The IT department has also provided a list of such names an identities on its official web portal "

Now , if anything , IT Dept decision is a " too little , too late " !

For decades now , Housing Societies have been " naming and shaming " their Members who fail to make their monthly payment of Society Charges , even if by one day late ! By publishing their names on Society Notice Boards

And in a Society of say , 100 members , you are bound to look up that Notice Board , sooner or later !

But how many citizens will take the trouble to look up the IT department web site , when most do not even know that it exists !

News report says , " the aim of the exercise is to inform the public at large about such tax evaders whom the taxman has not been able to lay their hands on despite using various investigative and enforcement tools "

Does IT department want people's help in locating these defaulters ?

If yes , then it needs to go beyond just publicizing the defaulter info on its web site

It needs to launch a Mobile App ( called , " Be-Ware " ? )

Anyone can download it from the web site of IT dept by entering his Aadhar Number / Jan Dhan Bank a/c Number

" Be-Ware " will display ( alphabetically ) , names of those Tax Defaulters

Long press on any name , will reveal the person's data ( as seen currently on IT dept web site )

{  http://office.incometaxindia.gov.in/administration/Pages/tax-defaulters.aspx  }

Below each data-sheet , will be a button which reads " INFORMER "

Touching it will open a box , wherein the " Informer " can provide information leading to locating / arresting of that defaulter

Just click " SEND " button after typing in the info

That simple !

A return acknowledgement SMS from IT department will give a  REGISTRATION  LINK , clicking which will show the informer , info provided by him , on IT dept web site ( Proof of Pudding ! )

And every time he logs in at this LINK , he will get to know the progress made by IT department in the case

It will also enable him to submit " Supplementary Data " ( about the Defaulter ) , from time to time

A total transparency  , in an atmosphere of Co-operation instead of Confrontation !

Based on info provided , if - and when - IT department recovers any of that TAX DUES , that Informer's  Jan Dhan Bank A/c will get credited with 5 % of the amount recovered ! ( the most welcome and well-earned, DBT ? )

And , the INFORMER will NOT be required to pay any Income Tax , on such deposits  !

One simple rule will apply ( like " Terms and Conditions Apply " )

In case more than one Informer submits similar information about the same Tax Defaulter , the person submitting it FIRST , will get 5 % and each subsequent informer , will get a ENCOURAGEMENT PRIZE of Rs 1,000 / -

In such a case , the decision of the IT department will be final and binding on the informers

 

If implemented , rest assured that all smart phone manufacturers would want to pre-install " Be-Ware " on each and every phone shipped !

In such cases , the App can be " Activated " by the phone-owner , by registering his Mobile Number on the IT department web site

IT Dept Guys  !

Rope in millions !  Start a " Track-a-Crook " viral fever ! Get back Crores of public money with little effort !

Income Tax Free " manna from heaven " of 5 % , will launch a million sleuths into ,

" BRING  THE  CROOK  TO  BOOK " business !

No place for the Corrupts to hide !

But needed , one most important assurance for success :

All " Informers " must be fully protected under " The Whistle-Blower Protection Act " !

Way to Go , with some BOLD / OUT OF BOX , thinking !

Of course , I would keep batting for total abolition of Personal Income Tax - the only permanent solution to the twin evils of BLACK MONEY and CORRUPTION !

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31  Aug  2016

www.hemenparekh.in / blogs