Bijoy Krishna Handique
Encyclopedia
Bijoy Krishna Handique is a member of the 15th Lok Sabha
of India
. He represents the Jorhat
constituency of Assam
and is a member of the Indian National Congress
(INC) political party. He is the only son of Krishna Kanta Handique
, a renowned Indologist.
Handique is a senior Member of Parliament from the North Eastern Region and has represented the Jorhat Lok Sabha, Assam for six consecutive terms since 1991. He also served as a Rajya Sabha member from 1980 to 1986. Previously, he was elected to the Assam State Assembly in 1971 from the Jorhat Town constituency.
He was the Minister of Development of North Eastern Region
from May 2009 to July, 2011
In the 15th lok sabha elections, Handique won from Jorhat constituency for the sixth consecutive term and was promoted to Union Cabinet minister status. He formally took oath of office as Union Cabinet Minister holding dual charges of Mines and the Development of North East Region (DoNER) portfolios.
Handique previously was appointed a Minister Of State for Defence and Parliamentary Affairs in 2004 and subsequently was a Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Mines up to 2009. It was during his tenure as Union Cabinet Minister of Mines from May 2009 to January 2011 that a new direction was given to the Nation's Mining Policy with the clause for participation and inclusion of local communities in mining belts including tribal areas. The Draft mining bill initiated by Handique was due for introduction in the Indian Parliament.
As Minister of Mines
He proposed that 26% of the *equity* or *profits* of the mining operations of a company should go to the people directly affected by the mining operations. In the present policy climate of promoting * private profits * at * public cost * this came refreshingly as an almost revolutionary suggestion. The government was concerned about the large-scale resistance and unrest faced all over the country to its *forced* land acquisition policies. The Maoists insurgency, described as the biggest threat to Indian democracy by her ‘scholarly ' PM Man Mohan Singh, is active precisely where all the *prime* & *easily accessible* - read most profitable - mineral deposits were located. Handique proposed to make locals –project affected people [PAP]- the stakeholders in the project, and thus remove major impediment in expansion of old or development of new mines. His initiative had blessings, or so it looked, from the highest power centre in Congress Party, its president herself : “ The new legislation is being framed amid UPA chief Sonia Gandhi voicing concerns over land acquisition norms and favouring the Haryana model - where farmers are provided lucrative compensation in addition to annuity for 33 years ”.
Handique's proposal though faced major flak from the Corporates' leading business chamber FICCI : “ However, the equity sharing proviso was opposed fiercely by industry, especially business chamber Ficci ”. Government was * sensitive * and * considerate * to what industry thought. Thus, it dropped the proviso for 26% equity like a hot potato. A layperson may feel what difference it makes if it is 26% equity or 26% profits; finally the benefits to locals won't change. But, * profit * is only one motive in running corporations, the other is * power *. The 26% equity would have threatened that. Indian Companies act treats anybody holding more than 24% share in a company as a *special minority* shareholder with power to veto any major resolutions moved by the board of directors. It is true that many locals would have held this 26% equity, but what would company do if they decided to act in concert. What strikes fear in the heart of rulers is the unity among people . [Source for Quotes: “ Mining companies to share profit: Panel ” –The Times of India, 18 September 2010].
As late as in January this year, an official of the Mining Ministry was quoted to have said, “ While the mines ministry has managed to get green signal from the group of ministers (GOM) on the proposal that mining firms would share 26% of their profit with the affected people , the discretion to decide who is affected and the list of affected people has been left to the state governments ”. Then the report added, “ However, the industry opposed the profit sharing proposal and had said that if enacted it would choke investments . The draft has gone to the law ministry for its views and soon will go for the Cabinet approval ”. Usually when an approved draft is –this one was an approved draft- sent to Law ministry it is to make it consistent with legalese and other laws in force, and also to make sure it does not violate Constitution. [Source for Quotes: “ STATES TO NAME PEOPLE AFFECTED BY MINES FOR PROFIT SHARING ” –Financial Express 3 January 2011 ] This date, 3rd January, is very crucial here. Didn't Handique cease to be a minister of Mines in January 2011? Then how come ministry still continued to maintain his vision of 26% profits to affected local people.? Handique lost Mining Ministry on 19 th January 2011, the day Man Mohan affected reshuffle of his cabinet. Tehelka of January 23, 2011 had this to say, “ A central battle in the country is over its mineral resources. Some of the biggest foreign investment proposals are in this sector, with many conflicts already raging over corporate mining interests in India's interiors. Just at this time, Singh has taken away a Cabinet minister, BK Handique, and put mining in charge of a new and junior minister, J Dinsha Patel. It is possible that the Prime Minister has bigger plans for mining , which he wants to put in action after the Budget session of Parliament. But if he doesn't, the move to leave the ministry for mines open to influence, national and international, could haunt him ”. Unfortunately, Tehelka prophesy has been fulfilled. Why was charge of Mining Ministry downgraded from Cabinet to Junior minister? Why was Handique, who ably piloted the draft Mining Bill in consonance with prime minister's oft repeated mantra of *Inclusive Growth* removed ? Or did he go because he took PM too seriously and literally ? These are serious issues indicative of another swindle and of huge quantum of money changing hands to get desired outcomes as happened in case of 2G spectrum allocation & Raja's appointment in Ministry of Communication .
http://www.countercurrents.org/patwardhan060711.htm
As Minister of Development of North Eastern Region
During his tenure as Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, he initiated many major policy changes regarding connectivity, promotion of youth and industry in the Region. His amiable style of functioning had endeared him to the populace of the 8 North Eastern States. His acceptability was backed by his thorough understanding of the Region.Integration of the Region to the Mainstream was the central focus which he was successfully pursuing as the Minister of DoNER.
Awards
Handique was conferred the Venu Menon National Animal Award for Leadership in Conservation in the year 2006, for his key role in conservation of rare birds.
15th Lok Sabha
Members of the 15th Lok Sabha were elected in 2009 during the General Elections in India.- Important members :* Speaker: Meira Kumar, Indian National Congress, Sasaram, Bihar...
of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He represents the Jorhat
Jorhat (Lok Sabha constituency)
Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam state in north-eastern India.-Assembly segments:Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency is composed of the following assembly segments :* Jorhat* Titabar* Mariani* Teok* Amguri...
constituency of Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
and is a member of the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
(INC) political party. He is the only son of Krishna Kanta Handique
Krishna Kanta Handique
Krishna Kanta Handique was a Sanskrit scholar, an Indologist and philanthropist from Assam.-Biography:...
, a renowned Indologist.
Handique is a senior Member of Parliament from the North Eastern Region and has represented the Jorhat Lok Sabha, Assam for six consecutive terms since 1991. He also served as a Rajya Sabha member from 1980 to 1986. Previously, he was elected to the Assam State Assembly in 1971 from the Jorhat Town constituency.
He was the Minister of Development of North Eastern Region
Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (India)
The Minister of Development of North Eastern Region is the head of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and one of the cabinet ministers of the Government of India....
from May 2009 to July, 2011
In the 15th lok sabha elections, Handique won from Jorhat constituency for the sixth consecutive term and was promoted to Union Cabinet minister status. He formally took oath of office as Union Cabinet Minister holding dual charges of Mines and the Development of North East Region (DoNER) portfolios.
Handique previously was appointed a Minister Of State for Defence and Parliamentary Affairs in 2004 and subsequently was a Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Mines up to 2009. It was during his tenure as Union Cabinet Minister of Mines from May 2009 to January 2011 that a new direction was given to the Nation's Mining Policy with the clause for participation and inclusion of local communities in mining belts including tribal areas. The Draft mining bill initiated by Handique was due for introduction in the Indian Parliament.
As Minister of Mines
He proposed that 26% of the *equity* or *profits* of the mining operations of a company should go to the people directly affected by the mining operations. In the present policy climate of promoting * private profits * at * public cost * this came refreshingly as an almost revolutionary suggestion. The government was concerned about the large-scale resistance and unrest faced all over the country to its *forced* land acquisition policies. The Maoists insurgency, described as the biggest threat to Indian democracy by her ‘scholarly ' PM Man Mohan Singh, is active precisely where all the *prime* & *easily accessible* - read most profitable - mineral deposits were located. Handique proposed to make locals –project affected people [PAP]- the stakeholders in the project, and thus remove major impediment in expansion of old or development of new mines. His initiative had blessings, or so it looked, from the highest power centre in Congress Party, its president herself : “ The new legislation is being framed amid UPA chief Sonia Gandhi voicing concerns over land acquisition norms and favouring the Haryana model - where farmers are provided lucrative compensation in addition to annuity for 33 years ”.
Handique's proposal though faced major flak from the Corporates' leading business chamber FICCI : “ However, the equity sharing proviso was opposed fiercely by industry, especially business chamber Ficci ”. Government was * sensitive * and * considerate * to what industry thought. Thus, it dropped the proviso for 26% equity like a hot potato. A layperson may feel what difference it makes if it is 26% equity or 26% profits; finally the benefits to locals won't change. But, * profit * is only one motive in running corporations, the other is * power *. The 26% equity would have threatened that. Indian Companies act treats anybody holding more than 24% share in a company as a *special minority* shareholder with power to veto any major resolutions moved by the board of directors. It is true that many locals would have held this 26% equity, but what would company do if they decided to act in concert. What strikes fear in the heart of rulers is the unity among people . [Source for Quotes: “ Mining companies to share profit: Panel ” –The Times of India, 18 September 2010].
As late as in January this year, an official of the Mining Ministry was quoted to have said, “ While the mines ministry has managed to get green signal from the group of ministers (GOM) on the proposal that mining firms would share 26% of their profit with the affected people , the discretion to decide who is affected and the list of affected people has been left to the state governments ”. Then the report added, “ However, the industry opposed the profit sharing proposal and had said that if enacted it would choke investments . The draft has gone to the law ministry for its views and soon will go for the Cabinet approval ”. Usually when an approved draft is –this one was an approved draft- sent to Law ministry it is to make it consistent with legalese and other laws in force, and also to make sure it does not violate Constitution. [Source for Quotes: “ STATES TO NAME PEOPLE AFFECTED BY MINES FOR PROFIT SHARING ” –Financial Express 3 January 2011 ] This date, 3rd January, is very crucial here. Didn't Handique cease to be a minister of Mines in January 2011? Then how come ministry still continued to maintain his vision of 26% profits to affected local people.? Handique lost Mining Ministry on 19 th January 2011, the day Man Mohan affected reshuffle of his cabinet. Tehelka of January 23, 2011 had this to say, “ A central battle in the country is over its mineral resources. Some of the biggest foreign investment proposals are in this sector, with many conflicts already raging over corporate mining interests in India's interiors. Just at this time, Singh has taken away a Cabinet minister, BK Handique, and put mining in charge of a new and junior minister, J Dinsha Patel. It is possible that the Prime Minister has bigger plans for mining , which he wants to put in action after the Budget session of Parliament. But if he doesn't, the move to leave the ministry for mines open to influence, national and international, could haunt him ”. Unfortunately, Tehelka prophesy has been fulfilled. Why was charge of Mining Ministry downgraded from Cabinet to Junior minister? Why was Handique, who ably piloted the draft Mining Bill in consonance with prime minister's oft repeated mantra of *Inclusive Growth* removed ? Or did he go because he took PM too seriously and literally ? These are serious issues indicative of another swindle and of huge quantum of money changing hands to get desired outcomes as happened in case of 2G spectrum allocation & Raja's appointment in Ministry of Communication .
http://www.countercurrents.org/patwardhan060711.htm
As Minister of Development of North Eastern Region
During his tenure as Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, he initiated many major policy changes regarding connectivity, promotion of youth and industry in the Region. His amiable style of functioning had endeared him to the populace of the 8 North Eastern States. His acceptability was backed by his thorough understanding of the Region.Integration of the Region to the Mainstream was the central focus which he was successfully pursuing as the Minister of DoNER.
Awards
Handique was conferred the Venu Menon National Animal Award for Leadership in Conservation in the year 2006, for his key role in conservation of rare birds.