The missing figures in PM’s self-ranking

First, the economy. It is booming. But how much credit can we give the Government? Some at least in creating the right atmosphere for growth. Not long ago I heard the Finance Minister speak at the Business Standard excellence awards and was impressed. Last year he was reviled in this column for inflicting upon us silly taxes like those on ‘fringe benefits’ and cash withdrawals, but I have reinstated him in my album of heroes because he is one of barely five people in the Manmohan Singh Government who continues to argue for economic reforms.

In his speech at the awards ceremony he urged Indian businessmen to go abroad and buy companies and praised them for bringing India where it is today. He also admitted bravely that although he continued to support the socialist goals of his leftist past, he admitted that change was required in methods. It is my view that we would see privatisation, labour reforms and other vital changes if the Government were not reliant on Marxist support for its existence.

Having said this I cannot understand why the Prime Minister is unable to initiate administrative reform. Is there a Marxist obstacle here? Would they object to procedures of governance becoming more modern? Would they object to rules and regulations becoming less complicated? Would they have problems with the criminal justice system being modernised or police reform? It seems unlikely, unless their game plan is to ride into power on the back of a ‘‘bourgeois’’ government, only to make it lose all credibility.

They have done less damage to the Government than Sonia Gandhi has by pushing through her expensive, unworkable employment guarantee scheme. I would support any scheme that would help eradicate poverty and my opposition to this one is only because I believe it is useless. We will be spending more than Rs 40,000 crore to give the destitute less than Rs 20 a day. This will keep the destitute in destitution, make corrupt officials rich and take away money that would be much better spent on irrigation, roads, drinking water and power.

Sonia’s National Advisory Council, which she should disband before it discredits her further, has also tried to push through a law to give Adivasis forest land. Luckily, there appear to be second thoughts on this project because if implemented it will serve mainly to keep poor forest dwellers in poverty and primitive living conditions by depriving them of the real tools of empowerment: development and access to the 21st century.

Our poor embattled Prime Minister has not just Sonia to deal with but scheming, sham socialist ministers like Arjun Singh, who has done more to make his government look bad than anyone else. If he ever gets down to administrative reform he must begin by abolishing irrelevant ministries like the Human Resource Development Ministry. Humans should not be treated as a ‘‘resource’’ to be developed by a ministry. It is an Orwellian idea and has not worked. Besides, there are many humans (your columist included) who would rather be dead than have an Arjun Singh type creature have anything to do with our development. Eeeks!

On foreign policy this government has done well. The nuclear deal with the United States is very much in our interest and anyone who heard Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s press conference cannot possible vote for Iran to have the bomb.

Where I believe there has been failure is on the Kashmir front. We need to call the General’s bluff and hold him responsible for bringing peace to the Valley. At least the killings would stop. So then, is it 6 out of 10 or not? I think closer to 4, but let me know what you think.

write to tavleen.singh@

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