Members must remove deficiencies in globalisation

Bangalore, May 14: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rahaman Khan today said parliamentarians had a crucial role to play in developing proper ways and means to remove the defficiencies posed by globalisation.

Inaugurating a conference on ''Where is Globalisation Heading'' organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association here he said parliamentarians as individuals and policy makers have to weigh the pros and cons of globalisatation in the context of India's emergence as a global power.

The Indian experience of globalisation showed that poverty alleviation programmes have not been fully successful and that social justice has not been fully ensured, he said, adding that to remove poverty adequate social welfare measures were essential, particularly in health care and education sectors.

Though there has been an immense development in IT in India under the impact of globalisation, the social sector remained sadly neglected, he said.

The choice before India for positive outcomes of the globalisation process demanded a well concieved institutional framework for developing trained professionals, good governance, able bureaucracy, the use of information and communicacaitions technology, small family norms, a quick and efficient legal system, and stringent legal action against the economic offenders, he said.

He said to achieve all these objectives participation of all states, ministries and business and a large number of non governmental organsitations was required.

''Unfortunately globalisation and that accompanying policies have been wrongly interpreted by various quarters and it is here that the parliamentarians have a greater role to play,'' he said.

West Bengal Legislative Assembly Speaker and CPA Executive Committee Chairman Hasim Abdul Halim in his presidential address said globalisation has been existing for ages in different forms and the present form was more dangerous as it involved conquering of intellectuals rathar than territories. He said the powerful media had been moulding and controlling the mind of younger generations with its onslaught on the plurlistic society.

Karnataka Law Minister Basavaraj Horatti reading the Chief Minister H D Kumarwswami's message called for a serious study on the impact of and effects of IT boom in Bangalore as the globalisation has hidden consequences that may negatively impact the quality of life even those prospering through it.

He also urged the delegates to ponder over the dangers posed by the digital divide. ''We cannot have a hightech facility to help a small percentage of people enjoying the fruits of modern technology while a vast majorty of people just a few Km away are denied even basic amenities,'' he said.

Delegates from 25 Commonwealth countries were taking part in the five-day confenerence organised by the London-based 21st Centiry Trust and Karnataka Legislature to discuss on varions topics on globalisation.

UNI