In this season of mantris declaring assets, Dilli is abuzz with the revised double taxation agreement signed by India with the Swiss authorities, which will finally give the government access to the illicit billions stashed away in Swiss banks.
In this season of mantris declaring assets, Dilli is abuzz with the revised double taxation agreement signed by India with the Swiss authorities, which will finally give the government access to the illicit billions stashed away in Swiss banks.
Indian money in Swiss banks is old hat. It is dusted and brought out during elections and then returned to the shelf.u00a0
Few take it seriously, including netas. This time, the government is closer than ever before to make good its promise, but everyone's still wondering whether it will actually happen, and if Pranab "Dada" could make this move.
The government's approach is prudently cautious. Pranab-da has clarified that the pact will not help recover black money, but only help the government access information purely for taxation and will not be provided to any other authority like the Parliament or the Enforcement Directorate.
Moreover, the new provision will be applicable only for prospective information and not for past information. Still, it's progress.
Green Signal Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh may have provided his ministry the clout it has lacked, but he also built up a long list of detractors, both within and outside government for his non-nonsense green policies. Yet, with Rahul Gandhi apparently now in his corner, Ramesh's crusading zeal has begun to take on a whole new dimension.
Until recently, Ramesh was under fire from Cabinet colleagues Praful Patel and Milind Deora for holding up the second airport project for Mumbai, among the other projects held up.
But for now Ramesh seems to have retrieved himself from his isolated position. Already Patel's vowed to work with Ramesh on the Navi Mumbai airport issue.
But with Ramesh's history of toughness, Dilli is wondering whether he will hold his line - and for how long?
