from daijiworld's political correspondent (MB)

New Delhi / Mangalore, Mar 12: Is former Karnataka chief minister and chairman of the oversight committee for implementation of 27 per cent reservation in central educational institutions Marpady Veerappa Moily being considered as Congress party's nominee for presidentship in the ensuing election after president A P J Abdul Kalam steps down?

Marpady Veerappa Moily

Informed sources in the national capital told daijiworld correspondent that there are every chances of his being nominated as party nominee. A few months are left to elect a new incumbent for Rashtrapati Bhavan. This is in special consideration of his successful tenures heading the administrative reforms commission, tax reforms commission etc. He has successfully implemented the 27 per cent reservation in educational institutions amidst stiff opposition and resentment from certain quarters.

Before he became chief minister of Karnataka, Moily had served as finance minister and had made a mark with his many budgets.

The Congress party is keen on fielding a backward classes candidate as a matter of policy and strategy. Hence two prominent names doind rounds in the corridors of power are of former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shindhe and of M Veerappa Moily. While Shindhe is a Dalit, Moily is from backward classes. Moily seems to have a clear edge in that he has more admistrative experience and exposure.

As observer of the Congress high command after the last Tamil Nadu assembly elections, he established a rapport with the DMK which won the highest number of seats majority, with Congress supporting it from outside.

If Moily, 67,  gets the party nomination and if he wins the presidential election in Jun 2007, he will have the credit of being the country's youngest ever president.

M Veerappa Moily - a Colourful Career
         
2006 -         Chairman of the Oversight Committee for implementation of 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in central educational institutions
2002 – 2004 Chairman, Revenue Reforms Commission

2000 – 2002 Chairman, Tax Reforms Commission

1992 – 1994 Chief Minister of Karnataka

1989 – 1992 Minister for Law, Youth Service, Culture, Information, Parliamentary Affairs and Education, Govt. of Karnataka

1983 – 1985 Leader of Opposition, Karnataka Assembly
      
1980 – 1982 Minister for Finance and Planning, Govt. of Karnataka

1974 – 1977 Minister for Small Scale Industries, Govt. of Karnataka

Appointed to various committees by Indira Gandhi one of which led to the setting up of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Practised law in the courts of Karkala, Mangalore, High Court in Bangalore and at the Supreme Court of India.

Led the implementation of economic reforms in Karnataka in 1992 and also responsible for drafting & implementing the Karnataka Land Reforms Act in 1974.

Led several projects, policies and achievements of the State of Karnataka in ministries and sectors such as Finance, Irrigation and Power, Urban Development and Infrastructure, Housing and Rural Development, Empowerment, Education and Culture.

Author of epic poem Sri Ramayana Mahanveshanam in five volumes containing 42,295 lines in Kannada. It is also being translated into Hindi and being published by Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi.

Authored ‘Musings on India’ Part 1 & 2 in English containing articles on contemporary issues including public finance.

Regular columnist for leading print publications and electronic media.

Currently writing a book on the steps to be taken to make India an economic superpower by year 2020.

Career Summary

30 years of experience in public service, policy-making, governance and politics.

Detailed understanding of the Indian Economy, Fiscal Structure and requirements of States from a macro and micro perspective.

Critical insight into the best practices of world economies.

Experience of having formulated and implemented pioneering concepts in India’s Education sector.
Experience of representing the government in projects with leading organisations such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Reserve Bank of India, Planning Commission etc.

Ability to develop a comprehensive economic agenda that can unleash the productive potential of India's economy.

Summary of Achievements

Chairman of Tax Reforms Commission – Government of Karnataka 2002-2004

Formulated a systematic reform of the tax system resulting in improved revenue productivity and competitiveness of the State of Karnataka.

Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna, implemented 80% of the recommendations from the commission resulting in tax revenues increases of Rs. 2200 crores in 2003-04 from recommendations of the commission.

Chairman of Revenue Reforms Commission – Govt of Karnataka 2000 – 2002

Report submitted during November 2003 recommending reforms in Irrigation, Health, Education and Forest Departments

Revenue increases of Rs. 1800 crores from the commission’s recommendations.

Finance:

Presented the Karnataka State Budgets for 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1980-81, 1981-82 & 1982-83.

Set records of revenue surplus during every stint as Finance Minister.

Irrigation and Power:

Led unprecedented and huge outlays in irrigation works and helped maximize the irrigation potential of Karnataka.

Developed innovative financing schemes such as Irrigation bonds which were appreciated by the Reserve Bank of India and the World Bank.

Cleared and conceived massive works on the power generation and power distribution system in Karnataka that substantially reduced the power shortage position in Karnataka.

Established Krishna Jalabhagya Nigam scheme which mobilised Rs. 13,000 crores for irrigation projects.

Rural and Urban Development and Infrastructure:

Formulated and implemented various drinking water schemes and employment guarantee schemes and housing schemes.
Established the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance to formulate and appraise infrastructure development projects, mobilization of funds from different sources, implementation of urban infrastructure projects, and capacity building/training on urban development issues.
Initiated various projects such as the International Airport in Bangalore, International Convention Centre, Konkan Railway, and National Games in Bangalore.

Sanctioned and implemented the Rs. 1200 crores ADB aid programme for the coastal region of Karnataka.

Education:

Chief Architect of the new Common Entrance Test (CET) system launching an admission policy for technical education founded on merit, transparency and social justice.

Established the nation’s leading law institute, The National Law School University.

Executed the Total Literacy Programme in the State of Karnataka.
Worked with the World Bank to execute Universalization of Primary Education.
Oversaw the reform in University Education in Karnataka. He established six universities such as Kannada University, Rajiv Gandhi Medical University, Visweshwariah Technical University, Karnataka Open University, Mangalore University and Gulbarga University.

Industry:

Laid the foundation for the growth of Information Technology industry in Bangalore through various incentives to Indian and multinational companies.
Established the International Information Technology Park (ITPL) at Whitefield in Bangalore.
Established the Electronic City, an IT industrial estate at Anekal, Karnataka. Electronic City now exports Rs. 25,000 crores worth of software per annum.
Established the Peenya Industrial estate which is the biggest of its kind in Asia.
Announced the new Industrial Policy in 1993, in tune with the liberalization policy of the Govt of India, which resulted in investment projects worth Rs. 87,000 crores in Karnataka.
Sanctioned and facilitated the establishment of the major employment generating companies such as the Vijaynagar Steel Plant, MRPL, BSAF and Wipro in Karnataka.

Personal Details:

B.A, B.L., Partner in Law Firm - Moily Associates

Born of parents Thammayya and Poovamma Moily on January 12, 1940 at Marpadi Village, Moodibidri, Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka

Married to Malathi with four daughters, Rashmi, Sushma, Hamsa and Harsha.

Languages spoken include Kannada, English, Tulu and Hindi.

"We are trying to build an inclusive society"

Courtesy: The Hindu, January 2006

M Veerappa Moily, chairman of the Oversight Committee for implementation of 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in central educational institutions, discusses the tasks before him.

Excerpts from an interview in New Delhi: 

There is confusion over the mandate of the Oversight Committee, particularly vis-à-vis State Universities and private colleges. The initial impression was that the Committee will monitor implementation of 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in central educational institutions only. So what is your mandate?

The reference to our Committee is implementation of 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in institutes of higher learning which covers everything: Institutions coming under the Central Act, institutions coming under the State Acts, including private and deemed. Our second mandate is to assess additional infrastructure and other requirements for increasing the overall availability of seats to a level so that the present number of seats available to the general category students does not decline. To enable us to get inputs on infrastructure and faculty requirements, five sub-committees have been appointed. Even the terms of reference for these sub-committees have been prescribed by the Government. The idea is to have expansion, inclusion, and excellence. And, to utilise this opportunity to build a knowledge society. We are trying to build an inclusive society; the idea is not to exclude anybody but include everybody.

Did you at any point suggest that OBC reservation should be staggered and introduced only in the Indian Institutes of Technology, the Indian Institutes of Management, and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 2007-08?

No. Our mandate is very clear on this. OBC reservation will have to be introduced in all central educational institutions from the next academic year and intake will also have to increase accordingly ... there is no confusion on this. It is because time is at a premium that we have asked the five sub-groups to give us inputs for submitting an interim report to the Government by July 10 to take advance action by way of financial sanctions, administrative sanctions, faculty increase.

Time is running out. We have to work on a war footing. At the same time we cannot sacrifice the merit environment in these institutions. We have a big task. As of today, it may look quite difficult and impossible. It is not a question of whether it is possible to implement it by next year or not. We have to make it possible.

Does the Oversight Committee have the mandate to decide for State Universities since education is a State subject?

Yes, that is the mandate of the 93rd Constitution Amendment. Agreed, States have to bring out their own laws as per the 93rd Amendment but we can work out the packages, give suggestions ... Of course, the ultimate decision will be theirs.

Did you ask the Human Resource Development Ministry to finalise the enabling legislation to operationalise the 93rd Amendment in Central educational institutions only after consultations with the Oversight Committee?

The Bill is the prerogative of the Government and Parliament. It is not part of the mandate of the Committee. The inputs of the Committee may be useful for the implementation of the Bill. The Committee has not asked for a copy of the draft legislation as is being made out.

Has it been referred to you?

No.

There are reports of differences within the Committee.

It is only a media creation. All decisions will be taken unanimously.

There is an impression that the Oversight Committee is exceeding its mandate.

Unnecessary confusion is being created. Our mandate is very clear. The only thing I have added is using this increase in funding to build a knowledge society through this process. After all, only eight per cent of Indians have access to tertiary education while it is about 25 per cent in developing countries. And, in advanced countries the access rate is in the vicinity of 85 per cent. China has an access rate of 65 to 70 per cent. How can we build a knowledge society with such low enrolment? If you don't build a knowledge society, how do you realise the Indian dream to become a superpower?

So, let us make the best of this opportunity where we have a reform-minded Prime Minister and a social justice champion like Arjun Singh. With all of them there, this is the best environment to build a knowledge society. But, it has to be inclusive, not excluding any section of society.

You have been talking consistently about a knowledge society. But, the Knowledge Commission set up by the Prime Minister to build a knowledge society is against extending reservation to any section of society in its present form.

That may be so, but we are of the view that the increase in spending on higher education to provide OBC reservation without affecting the general category can be used to build a knowledge society. However, a knowledge society cannot be built by excluding a large section of the people. They will have to be empowered. They will have to get an entry to institutions of higher learning. We spend only 0.37 per cent of the GDP on higher education. With the money that will be made available to provide OBC reservation, we can definitely work towards a knowledge society. We are using this as a window of opportunity for generating a large pool of technical and professional manpower. Today, only a couple of our institutions enjoy a brand equity. The idea is to increase their number.

There is a fear that increase in intake will dilute the quality of education.

Why do you forget that Nalanda and Taxila universities used to have 10,000 to 15,000 students on one campus? Why are we shying away from increasing intake? [The] Massachusetts Institute of Technology has 5,000 students on one campus. We do not have so many students in all our Indian Institutes of Technology put together.

You have been talking about innovative measures. What are they?

Many options are under consideration including changing the student-teacher ratio. We have a traditional approach. Our mindsets are blocked. Unless you put the premier institutions on the fast track of accelerated development, it will take us another 100 years to come up to the level of even developing countries. Our target was to increase enrolment in higher education to 10 per cent in the Tenth Five Year Plan but we are at eight per cent.

Faculty shortage is a big concern.

We want to get over these apprehensions. Faculty shortage is because pay packages are not attractive. We must have a new look at all these issues.

Does this mean teacher salaries may go up?

Possibly. Education should be given top priority. Poverty can be eradicated by providing education, which is a great weapon in the hands of the people. Education is the key to prosperity.

The creamy layer issue: Will you be looking into it?

That is an issue relating to the policy of the Government. [The] Oversight Committee does not have a mandate to look into it. At best, we may fine-tune the policy of the Government to make it acceptable to the people.

Though you maintain that the task ahead is possible, you concede that it is onerous. What are the greatest hurdles?

Mindset. We refuse to think out of the box. Revolutionary thinking will have to be introduced. Nothing is impossible in these days of technology. Once the mindset is liberated, we will be on our way.