Names different, but actions same.

Burger chain McDonald's is in dispute with its Indian partner, Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt Ltd, or CPRL, headed by one Vikram Bakshi. As is usual, it is dragging on since 2007, since court battles take forever to resolve in India. The dispute, naturally, is about money with accusations of duplicity on both sides. McDonald's cancelled its contract with Bakshi and ordered closure of all its franchise restaurants in the north and east of India. Bakshi was asked not to use McDonald's name and logo, but CPRL has ignored McDonald's injunction and opened some of the restaurants anyway. In response McDonald's has issued a warning saying it cannot verify the safety of food served in these restaurants. Cases get so nasty in India because they are allowed to drag on for so long. Even if Bakshi is allowed to run the restaurants surely he should not be allowed to use McDonald's name and logo. Who would want to do business in India? The High Court in Gujarat has upheld a law passed by the state government giving it the right to regulate fees of private schools which are self-financed. Under this act schools can charge a maximum of Rs 25 - 27,000 per year, which is not even peanuts. Why was the act necessary? Because the previous Congress led government passed the Right to Education Act which forces private schools to reserve 25% of their seats for poor students. Naturally, school fees soared as schools tried to make up for loss of revenue. Gujarat is the Prime Minister's home state with a BJP government. By this act politicians have avoided the additional cost of paying for these children as the act demands while pleasing their vote bank. Meanwhile, the Seventh Pay Commission has increased salaries of government school teachers by nearly 3 times which means private schools will also have to follow suit. Sly tricks may lead to votes but the standard of education, already wretched, is becoming worse. Apparently, it will take 126 years for education standards to reach western levels, by which time they will have progressed even further. Rates for water are to jump by 20% in Delhi. Why? Because those using less than 20,000 liters per month do not have to pay a penny, so those using more have to pay a higher rate. The Municipal Corporation for South Delhi is to provide cashless treatment for all employees in private hospitals. Where will the money come from when corporations are periodically unable to pay workers and government doctors have threatened strike action for not being paid. Delhi government is Aam Aadmi Party, or AAP, while all the municipalities are controlled by the BJP. Congress, BJP, AAP, or any other party, all the same.