Land and other natural resources are the common property of the society. The state, say the government of India, should not become its arbitrary dispenser. If it takes on the role of the natural resource dispenser a large number of people belonging to native communities and productive systems will surely be marginalized and alienated in the near future. Neo-liberalism in India is poised to create conditions resembling 'internal colonization'.
Hi Mohammed,
Can you elaborate more on how 'Neoliberalism' is playing out in India? Are you using the term to depict the Indian Government retreating from regulating the exploitation and depletion of India's natural resources? For instance, is the reason that Coca-Cola is able to use up India's water for its soft drinks attributable to there being no government regulatory bodies charged with overseeing the use of water for consumption or farming by the indigenous population vis-à-vis commercial exploitation of India's water supply by corporations (domestic or foreign)? Or, has the Indian Government never regulated public utilities?
Thanks,
Gwen
Dear Mohammad Israr Khan,
As far as I know, the government of India always 'controlled' the natural resources in India. It has nothing to do with the neo-liberals of the 90s. In fact, the current setup of governance in India can no longer be called as neo-liberal. Neoliberalism in India began with Mr Rajiv Gandhi, flourished under Mr Manmohan Singh and is retreating towards a controlled system once again under the present PM.
Coming back to the more pertinent question of whether the government should act as a dispenser of natural resources or not; the jury is still out. However I believe that there must be regulatory checks and balances in place to ensure that available resources are put to maximum use for the benefit of larger populations. Most of the natural resources are exhaustible and unless its use is regulated, it may be exhausted without giving maximum benefit to the people. Rapid development and industrialization has created a great demand for natural resources which has resulted in the weakening, deterioration and exhaustion of these resources.
Third woorld Economys, natural sources including agricultural soil, are regulated by mean governamental laws, but capitalism laws too; therefor is a strugling and at the end money ownwer has been the winnwer.
I do think land- agricultural, common property, forests- should be collectively owned by residents of the area. Distribution of agricultural land is skewed in several countries, and individual ownership leads to continuation of this hierarchy. Other option is for the local govt to issue land on lease periodically and temporarily with lease deeds on the names of women and men. This also helps young families live by themselves, and accounts for people leaving the village. There should be a law that when Gram Sabhas or village councils do not allow common property resources or forests to be converted for other purposes, the government cannot over rule this on the name of public interests often it is the CPRs and forests of Dalits and Tribals which are taken in India. Land in compensation is even given 50 km away, can people take their cattle 50 km away?
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