Stop the BT Brinjal Poison

A few years ago, I was hanging around in the newsroom of one of India's top television news channels when a senior journalist handed me a ball of what looked like dirty cotton. As I chucked the cotton away in disgust, he said that the cotton was a 'special gift' and that it was the start of a revolutionary change that would sweep the agricultural sector.

Well, that piece of dirty cotton was 'BT Cotton'. This genetically modified crop later proved disastrous to the farming community in India and was soon swept away to the farming archives. BT Cotton not only lead to lower yields, decreased soil fertility and dependence on multinational companies but also resulted in the suicides of thousands of farmers who were unable to cope with the burden of loans and crop failure.


BT Brinjal

Well, history seems to be repeating itself with government approval being given for the production of BT Brinjal. This has resulted in strong protests by farmers, environmentalists, students and so on.


BT Brinjal is a genetically modified type of brinjal. It is a strain created by India's number one seeds company Mahyco in collaboration with American multinational Monsanto. The company claims that BT Brinjal or Bacillus Thuringiensis Brinjal will be resistant to certain pests and improve yields for the farming community. However, these claims are not fully proven and the danger of introducing genetically modified food is way too great.

• According to environment activists, experiments with genetically modified crops on rats have shown to be fatal for lungs and kidneys. Consumption of such foods are poisonous and it is dangerous to introduce such experimental foods into the market.
  
• A study by French scientist Gilles-Eric Seralini says the tests conducted by Mahyco, the company producing Bt brinjal, were simply not valid and raised serious health concerns.
• The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has shown a bias towards multinational corporations like Monsanto. Lots of money seems to have changed hands to get approval for BT Brinjal.
• Indian agriculture would be threatened when such multinational corporations create a monopoly and start charging exorbitant amounts for seeds. The increased dependence on seeds on such MNC's would again lead to farmer debt and suicides.
  

How Do Multinational Seed Companies Really Work?

Decades ago, before the advent of multinational companies, farmers had a different system of cultivating crops. After harvest, some of the vegetable seeds or grain would be kept aside, so that they could be replanted the next season. Cow dung, vegetable waste matter and so on were used as fertilizers to provide nourishment to the crops.


For pesticides, the farmers relied on the animal food chain of insects, frogs, snakes and other farm animals. Though the yield was not very high, the whole ecosystem benefited from the hard work of the farmer. The farmer was also self sufficient and did not have to depend on big multinationals for seeds, fertilizers and pesticides.

Well, the main aim of any profitable business is to first create a unique product and then create dependence on that product and related products. With good marketing strategies and timely government approvals, this maximizes profits. In the case of multinational seed manufactures this process includes creation of a new type of genetically modified seed to ensure that their business continues to flourish.

Monsanto and Mahyco are currently in the news for their new type of genetically engineered eggplant - BT Brinjal. Though the companies claim through their marketing departments that the new type of Brinjal plant will be resistant to some pests and increase agricultural productivity, the risks seem to far outweigh the benefits -

• The seeds can be used only once. The farmers cannot save seeds from the previous harvest for later use and will be dependent on Mahyco and Monsanto for more seeds in the coming years.
• The fact that BT Cotton is 'pest resistant' means that small animals that comprise the food chain in agricultural areas will either die of poisoning or starvation. Many organisms that depend on each other in the food chain will become extinct. This will have an adverse environmental impact and destroy the farm ecosystem.
• The production of genetically manufactured crops is known to reduce soil fertility. The amount of actinomycetes, bacteria and vital soil enzymes, necessary for healthy growth of the plant are lessened. Multinational companies hope to solve this problem of soil fertility by selling some of their related products like fertilizers and other chemicals to farmers. This will, of course, be at a high cost and only serve to increase their monopoly.
• Even though the company says that the crop is 'pest resistant', it still recommends 'one or two sprays' against insect attack, which may increase depending on the intensity of pest infestation. No prizes for guessing who manufactures the recommended pesticide...
• Around 2000 sheep were reported dead in India and New Zealand after grazing on post harvest BT-Cotton crops. Since humans don't consume cotton as a foodcrop, we were saved from experiencing adverse side effects to our health and long term poisoning deaths.
• As BT Brinjal is an edible foodstuff consumed by poor people all over India, it is necessary to make sure that the food is safe. This will stop health problems from happening and reduce dependence on pharma companies for medicines.
  

The advantages of genetically modified crops trumpeted by multinational companies is today an outdated concept. Organic farming is the new buzzword. This type of farming relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest control and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity and control pests. It excludes or strictly limits the use of synthetic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, plant growth regulators, livestock feed additives and genetically modified organisms.

Organic farming is downright cheap when it comes to agricultural inputs, healthy and protects the farm biodiversity. Farmers are also not dependent on multinational seeds, pesticide and fertilizer companies and their monopolies. Instead of giving approval to 'faltu' improperly tested genetically modified crops such as BT Brinjal, the Government should concentrate on promoting environmentally safe and healthy techniques of cultivating crops such as Organic Farming.

Have you read about the BT Brinjal controversy? What are your views on this issue?

Job and Office Tips

Over the years, I have written a number of posts offering tips to people about jobs and office issues. Here is a handy list of these articles.

Income Tax

• Giving gifts to your family members - a useful tax saving strategy
• Deadlines on filing income tax returns and what to do if you are late
• How to file income tax returns - forms and submission process
• Tips on reducing your tax burden by using investments and tax deductions wisely
• How to calculate net taxable income - HRA, medical, LTA, phone bills and so on
• Income Tax Slabs for the financial year 2009 - 2010
• Income Tax Slabs for the financial year 2008 - 2009
• Income Tax Slabs for the financial year 2007 - 2008

Job Hunting

• Job reservation in the private sector
• Google Adwords Representative - online test and interview process

Other Issues

• Why do some bosses ask for your resignation during recession?
• How do placement consultants really work?
• Job termination and employee suicides
• The real deal about paying off your credit card debts

Income Tax Slabs India - 2010

When the Interim Budget for India was announced last year on February 28th, 2009, the Finance Minister had stated that the Income Tax slabs in India remained unchanged. However, after the Lok Sabha Elections, a new Budget was presented in July, 2009 by the Finance Minister, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee. According to this budget, the new income tax slabs India were raised by Rs. 10,000 for men and women and by Rs. 15,000 for Senior Citizens.

Here are some more details about the TDS rates in India, with special reference to the tax slab for women and the tax slab for senior citizens.

Income Tax Slab 1 - Zero Tax
Male salaried individuals have to pay zero tax if their net taxable income is Rs.1,60,000 and below. For women the limit is Rs. 1,90,000 while for senior citizens the zero taxation limit is Rs. 2,40,000. According to the income tax dept, only men and women who are 65 years of age and above are considered to be senior citizens. By investing in the most optimum tax saving schemes and using salary allowances, it is possible to bring down both high incomes and tds rates.


Income Tax Slab 2 - Ten Percent Tax
People earning between Rs. 1,60,001 to 3,00,000 fall in this category. Men have to pay 10 percent of the amount greater than Rs. 1,60,000 while women have to pay 10 percent of the amount between Rs. 1,90,001 and Rs. 3,00,000. Senior Citizens pay income tax TDS rates at 10 percent of the amount between 2,40,000 and Rs. 3 lakhs.


Income Tax Slab 3 - Twenty Percent Tax
Indian Citizens earning between Rs. 3,00,001 to 5,00,000 have to pay this income tax rate TDS. In this bracket, salaried men have to pay Rs 14,000 plus 20 percent of the amount between Rs. 3,00,000 and Rs. 5,00,000. The tax slab for women says that women pay Rs. 11,000 + 20 percent of the amount between Rs. 3 - 5 lakhs while senior citizens pay Rs. 6,000 plus 20 percent of the amount between Rs. 3 - 5 lakhs.


Income Tax Slab 4 - Thirty Percent Tax
All TDS India citizens who earn a salary of above Rs. 5,00,000 fall in this category. Men have to pay Rs.54,000 plus 30 percent of the amount greater than Rs. 5,00,000. Women salaried taxpayers have to pay Rs. 51,000 + 30 % of the income more than Rs. 5,00,000 while for senior citizens, the TDS rate is Rs. 46,000 plus 30 percent of the income above Rs.5 lakhs.

Education Cess - In addition to the income tax calculated according to the above income tax TDS rates, a 3% Education Cess will also be charged on the total Income tax paid (not on the total taxable income). If your taxable income exceeds Rs. 10 lacs, a 10% surcharge on the total income tax (not on the total taxable income) is also charged.

These are the current income tax slabs and rates for the financial year April 2009 - March 2010. This year the Annual Budget is expected to be announced a bit earlier than usual on 26th February, because the 27th and 28th are the National Holidays of Eid-e-Milad and Holi.

What with the recession and no increments, it is hoped that the Income Tax Dept and the Finance Minister, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee makes our tax burden lighter by introducing a new system of tds rates, tax slabs, investment and expense deductions that reduces the income tax payable for salaried individuals in India even further.

Some More Articles about Saving Income Tax in India -

- Calculating Taxable Income for Saving Tax
- Best Tax Saving Investments For Deduction
- Your Family As A Tax Saving Strategy
- Filing Late Income Tax Returns

Cold Delhi Weather

This year we are facing a really harsh winter in New Delhi. I don't remember it ever being this cold in New Delhi. For the past three weeks we have been having icy cold day temperatures, with a maximum of around 12 to 18 degrees Celsius per day and an average daytime temperature of 10 degrees Celsius.

On checking the weather report given out by the Regional Meteorological Centre of Delhi, I have seen that the Delhi area is divided into 6 sections - Delhi Ridge, Safdarjung Airport, Lodhi Road, Palam Airport, Gurgaon and Ayanagar. There are also two additional areas - Hindon and Rohtak. Through the Delhi temperature maps available on their website, I have noticed two things -

• The maximum temperature is usually the highest in the South Delhi area of Ayanagar. It grows colder the more north you travel.
• The minimum temperature is usually the highest in the North Delhi area of Rohini. It grows positively colder in the nights the more south you travel.

Adding to the discomfort caused by the Delhi cold is the fog and icy cold winds. The fog causes clothes to get damp and the icy cold winds blow through this dampness creating an unbelievably cold effect.

It is really great that the Shiela Dixit Government announced that schools would be closed during this cold Delhi winter. I remember when I was in school, how we used to suffer coming to school in the extreme cold conditions. We had to reach school at 7.30 am. Today, when I wake up everyday at around 9.30, I can't imagine how we managed through the cold back then.

When I think of the homeless people out in the cold, I feel really bad I can't do anything. I have really no idea what to do or what can be done, other than contributing cash to my local religious charity. Lots of people have lost their lives in the current cold wave running in North India. I was really saddened to read in the newspaper that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi demolished some night shelters for some faltu bureaucratic reason.

On the other hand, some schools of New Delhi have opened their doors to homeless people during the nights. It is good of the Principals of these schools to make use of their facilities to help out the homeless people who have nowhere to go. The homeless people have a cup of tea and leave in the mornings by around 7.00 am. The classrooms or sports halls where the homeless have rested are then cleaned before the school kids arrive, in case it is a school day.

Well, this is how cold the Delhi weather was this winter. How is the weather where you are? Do you think these weather changes could have anything to do with environmental reasons?

Main Attractions at the Delhi Auto Expo 2010

Like all Delhiites, I simply had to check out the 10th Auto Expo at Pragati Maidan. The Auto Expo is an exhibition of automobiles, machines and auto accessories held in New Delhi, India once every two years. This year, the entry ticket was priced at Rs. 200 per head. Well, here is a list of some of the main attractions at the Delhi Auto Expo, 2010.


1. Valentino Rossi - Yeah, he visited the Yamaha Pavillion at the Auto Expo. We were circling the place, trying to get a glimpse of the nine time MotoGP World Champion, but were not lucky enough.

2. Suzuki Hayabusa - The Suzuki Hayabusa was displayed in the Maruti Suzuki stall, away from the thronging crowds.The blue and white Suzuki Hayabusa, though not as cool looking as the red Hayabusa, was still quite dazzling.

3. Water Fountain at Honda Stall - The water fountain at the Honda Stall that formed pictures of people and logos as water droplets fell, was one of the most talked about items seen at the Delhi Auto Expo 2010. Have never seen anything like it before.

4. BMW Stall - Yeah it looked cool, but what was cooler still was the free 2010 wallet calendars that were being distributed by the Sales staff. BMW was perhaps the only foreign car stall where ladies and kids were allowed to walk in the car display area for a closer look at the car. Plus, I liked the blue BMW convertible priced at Rs. 64 lakhs.

5. Jaguar - This sleek black Jaguar car was really sexy. I'd love to own one of these. The Jaguar logo looks like my cat's reaction when he sees a pigeon at the window. I really like stuff related to cats and I really liked this black Jaguar car too.

6. Tiranga Bike - This orange, white and green coloured Harley Davidson Fatboy bike was something all bike enthusiasts found very eye catching. The tiranga Harley Davidson motorcycle was priced at Rs.18 lakhs.

7. Cycle Rickshaw - Yeah, after walking around for ages in Pragati Maidan, these cycle rickshaws were the cleanest and most comfortable thing to sit on. One of the few vehicles in which people were allowed and located away from the freezing cold winds, these cycle rickshaws provided much needed relief to my aching feet.

8. Continental Car - Located far back in a pavillion filled with stalls displaying boring car interior parts, chassis, wheels and so on, was the Continental Idol car. This car was the only car that you could calmly touch without being chased off by security, plus it looked cool too!!

Did you go for the 2010 Delhi Auto Expo? Which cars did you like the best?