Only 15 billionaires run India, claims Trump-era trade chief Lighthizer
Indian friend told him just 7 truly control government, rest only try to influence them
New Delhi: Former US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who spearheaded Donald Trump’s trade negotiations with India, has claimed that the Indian government operates under the influence of a handful of powerful billionaires.
In his 2023 memoir No Trade Is Free, Lighthizer revealed that during negotiations, he kept biographies of about 15 Indian billionaires on his desk to predict the government's stance. “I thought there were fifteen oligarchs who basically ran the country,” he wrote, adding that an Indian business friend corrected him: “Only about seven of them actually run the country. The others just try to influence the seven.”
Lighthizer’s statement offers a striking endorsement of a long-standing allegation by India’s Opposition, that the Modi government is heavily influenced by elite business interests.
Although he did not name the billionaires, the reference is widely interpreted to include industrialists like Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, who are often accused by critics of enjoying privileged access to the government.
Lighthizer, who served under Trump from 2017 to 2021, described these billionaires as "oligarchs" and called their sway over government "unusual." His comments offer a rare glimpse into how the Trump administration viewed India, not just as a trade partner, but as a system steered by economic elites.
He added that India’s bureaucracy is professionally strong, but policymaking is still often aligned with the priorities of this billionaire class. These views come at a time when Donald Trump has again threatened steep tariffs on Indian exports and accused India of reselling Russian oil for profit.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
