BJP Promises..

Quite natural for a new government in power to have a chalk-and -cheese approach in their program as compared to the previous government. But looking a bit deeper into the policies, its would be easy to undrape the policies of another capitalist government, that rode to power on fanaticism and incompetancy by the erstwhile government.

The first one in the list is commitment towards foreign direct investment and implementation of goods and services tax. Increasing service tax and excise duty on commodities would directly impinge on the cost of living of common people and only further strengthen the rich. The government needs to concentrate on varying the tax as per the type of commodity and the type of consumers.

The government terms the FDI as a potential revenue inducing monetary transformation. For eq: , the government says 100 % FDI to defense sector. What is the repurcussion? India remains the largest importer of weapons in the world. Opening this sector to Foreign investment, means a situation that could directly spin out of control with the huge amount that would be unleashed on in this sector. The defense research and dcevelopment would come to a standstill and the country would further see a decline in the Developmental production, which actually could generate jobs to millions. The Government should have restricted the FDI only for tecnhology transfer, which means potential to buy new technology from developed countries and further continue with the research in India.. However, there was a relief when it was announced to increase domestic industries..

Demand can only be stimulated through fiscal policy. Indian public is parking their hopes on gold rather than financial instruments , which is as a result of the traditional Indian thought and government irresponsibility in stimulating demand. The demand can be stimulated if the government takes corrective measures to keep the stock market under scanner , avoid spurious Market capitalization and issuing financial instruments with proper return on investment. The latter two could be entrusted by a proper Public private participation similar to the Kochi International Airport, a pattern implemented by then left government.

All in private hands will only spell doom to Indian economy and the BJP government will go down in history as another failure like the academic intelligentsia of the Congress.. 

What a mess Congress had made!!

Nandan Nilekani, ex CEO of Infosys, was made in charge of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDA), responsible for implementing the Aadhaar Scheme, a unique identification project. The investment on this project was 35000 crore from the Indian exchequer. This was in spite of formation of identity database under National Population Registrar (NPR), maintained by the census commissioner of India. One of the responsibility of NPR was to monitor the Aadhar Scheme Implementation and avoid duplication of Identification numbers by UIDA. But the best part was the chairman of UIDA, which had to report to Panning Commission of India, was given a cabinet rank. Thus the position and the department was clearly intended with Nandan Nilekani in mind and assure him a portfolio or else the departments, which his department was reporting to was cut short of such privileges and his department enjoyed more. The NPR had its own budget allotted by the central government amounting up to another huge draining of the exchequer.

It’s fine that when a competent professional as Nandan Nilekani had joined Congress, it remains the responsibility of the congress’s top brass to entangle him a reputable position. Personally, I feel, a man of such caliber should be given the responsibility to formulate ideas that could prosper the nation such as enhancement of the National Data Center or utilizing IT technology in equipping India’s traditional industries that accounts for bulk of working class of India. But such activities needs a government machinery and foremostly leaders with vision. This could be seen when the central government , in addition to keeping aside the budget from a reeling economy to UIDA, decided to segregate Indian states as NPR states and non –NPR states. Though the NPR process covers the entire country, it is more intensive in 14 States and two Union Territories, which are called ‘NPR States,’ which means that people in these States and Union Territories can get Aadhaar numbers only through the NPR. For 14 other States, four Union Territories and the National Capital Territory of Delhi, one gets an Aadhaar number through the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This has confused the bureacrats, who were assigned to implement the scheme.

Now at present the situation in India is such that, one has registered with NPR and UIDA and have received an identification number. The number needs to be validated by NPR to ensure no duplication. Afetr validity an Aadhar card is issued. One has to know whether he belongs to an NPR or non NPR state to get the number and subsequently all the subsidies enrolled to the individual shall be enlisted under the Aadhar card. Millions of rupees to work out both the two schemes, cabinet rank portfolios, land acquisition to set up new offices , and finally the supreme court says” You don’t need to have an Aadhar number to get your subsidies and benefits”!!!!

10 year gone waste.. 

I have my reservations against the congress government but if I step out of my shoes and look back at a government, helmed by an academic, intellectual for 10 years, my question would be: where was Manmohan singh all this years?

Where were You Mr. Singh, when the chairman of the planning commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia , made the most blunt statement of the century, that the level of poverty in India was 22% based on per capita spending of Rs. 33 a day in cities and Rs 27 a day in rural areas. Mr Singh, aren’t you an economist or a common man like me has to tell you that the measurement of poverty is not based on some formulas but linked to a decent and dignified life style.

Where were you Mr Singh, when P.J Thomas was appointed the Chief Vigilance commissioner of India, a decision invoked on partisanship; For as a commoner, I am aware  that this post has been all this years selected based on a consensus of political parties, and success of democracy is the bipartisanship attitude practiced at the helm of affairs. Mr Singh, by supporting this decision, you have discoursed from the democratic norms set forth by your ancestors.

Where were you Mr Singh, when scandals were galore in this country —2G, Coalgate, Adarsh Housing Society, Commonwealth, S-band, gas pricing and so on such that even files attributing to the various  scandals were replaced from your own office. In spite of being a renowned economist with a global rapport, India was reeling under the worst inflation under your tenure