Shiban Khaibri
It goes without saying that nearly a year of BJP led NDA Government in office, is not only entitled to accolades for arresting the drift in governance to result in a visible overall general change in the country but especially on economic front, a great promise comparatively is in tone to fructify. We need it and obviously any further delay could have proved deleterious looking to how comity of nations like China is fast making a dent in economic development. It could be said that not alone military power and better equipped armed forces of a country matter in present day world in as much as how solid is its economic base and the rate of sustained annual growth which matters especially post demise of the cold war era. Modi’s vision on cooperative federalism and inclusive development have opened new vistas of much needed change in strategy and prioritizing matters.
It is imperative that the term inclusive (ness) is understood in its right perspective and all, irrespective of any political affiliations and thought, together in the spirit of cooperation, work towards it so that the overall condition of a common man improves. How much unfortunate and uncalled for does it sound if petty politics is allowed to take the best of our efforts in this regard. By the trend of the speed with which important bills most imperative for economic growth were handled in the Parliament , it appears that the opposition is giving vent to its feelings on avoidable grounds or to put it plainly, the trend of sending almost all bills to select committee repeatedly means more than what it looks at the face value. On the one hand, to less frugally whip the present Government with the promised “Acchay Din” not dawning quickly, on the other hand the opposition looks determined to delay, if not totally block the bills which the Government thinks are urgently required to be pushed forth which looks astounding. Are we then watching “promoting the politics of poverty” as the Government is curiously charged of being anti-poor, anti-farmer and anti-labour class? Does the plain speaking Parliamentary affairs minister, M. Venkaiah Naidu mean right that while his Government was pursuing politics of development, some sections of the political class were keen to promote “politics of poverty, for their own reasons , they want the people of this country to remain poor.” Take the case of the Land Bill, such an alarming note is sounded that it appears that the Modi Government was determined to “snatch” the entire land from the farmers and give it to the “big” companies. The fact of the matter is that out of the existing land , only less than 1% could come under the acquisition and that also at four times the market price with added incentive if not alluring, of providing a job to the affected family.
Take the case of new controversy thought of to vain fully, up the prospects of Congress in UP and elsewhere, by accusing the present Government of stalling the Amethi food Park project which could have provided employment to hundreds of rural workers and disguised unemployed ones. The fact of the matter is that it was the Congress led UPA Government which had aborted the project by refusing the much needed fuel, the domestic gas supply 15 months before the Manmohan Singh Government demitted office. To blame the present Government for its shelving is tantamount to speaking unrealistic and unbaked things. Let the “vengeance” theory put out by the Congress be set aside but the quality of governance under UPA2 be analysed. The plan was approved in Sept 2010 by the UPA2 Government but it failed to clear it and resolve its hurdles resulting in delays, deferments, putting off and finally shelving it. Had it gone through, it would expectedly have resulted in promoting such ventures at many rural places across the country and made a turnaround in the rural life around such areas? It is this trend of indifference and delays, the ingrained habit of not taking decisions in time, mainly of economic nature which Modi wants to end but he needs co-operation from all.
We have urgently to look afresh at our agricultural sector. The conventional approach is now outdated and rendered redundant. Most of the developed economies and conventional exporters of agricultural products have less than 15% people engaged in agriculture as compared to over 61%in our country , small holdings on account of increase in population and disparity in input costs and output incomes have made issues complicated. Very tough economic measures and decisions have to be taken and any deferment therein is fraught with consequences entirely against growth and development. If there is low mood in the country’s stock market and developmental results envisaged falling short of set goals by the new Government, it calls for bold initiatives and tough decisions process. Any political impediments in economic reforms and initiatives need to be countered. Elementary decisions to lift the country to international levels say in cleanliness through measures like ‘swatch Bharat” or economic decisions like “make in India” have been lampooned and ridiculed by some political leaders spreading cynicism across the country.
A scenario laden with hope on account of nose diving of retail inflation and arresting to some extent the fiscal deficit must pave the way for boldness and firmness in respect of framing policies and decisions taking process. Investments from within the country must pick up with the speed it showed last year and measures like Land Bill getting stalled or even the GST bill not going through the Rajya Sabha sends wrong signals. Growth and addressing the unemployed by providing jobs are the sure outcome of initial bold and economic tough measures which must prevail upon criticism and negativism on frivolous grounds and not deter the Modi Government from proceeding ahead. People have voted for a change from economic stagnation and bureaucratic inertia and voted the present Government to power. Peoples’ verdict needs to be honoured and therefore calculated risks needed to be taken unmindful of future political repercussions.
Modi’s extensive diplomatic sojourns and connect with economic powers are primarily to woo investors from those countries so that industrial growth and technological development takes place. Results like the global technological giant Google going to invest as much as Rs. 1000 crore for setting up its biggest facility outside the US in Hyderabad is a healthy sign in the area of FDI to generate employment and growth. Such foreign sponsored and financed ventures are to a larger extent a result of the slogan of “make in India” and more to come in India is what could be the result of no let up in economic bold decisions. Let us not be selective in appraising the utility of new measures, for example, by crying about always that vegetables are costly and there is “Mehangai” and the poor are suffering. Let us come out from this cloistered view of looking at economic issues. After all, when potatoes were sold a kilo at less than Rs. 10, a few months back as compared to twice or even thrice the price a year ago it was due to “extraneous reasons” but when cauliflower is presently being sold at Rs. 25 to Rs. 30, Modi Government is to be blamed. Why shouldn’t we eat seasonal vegetables and speak about their prices? And if this approaches to look at vegetable prices is to continue that potatoes, tomatoes and cauliflower are to be sold not exceeding Rs.5 to Rs. 10 a kilo, why shouldn’t the growers call it a day and hang their boots?
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel