Infra agenda

The reshuffle didnt do the job. Cleansing taint of 2010 will need quick work from new infra ministers.

Wednesdays reshuffle was underwhelming,to say the least. Given the doldrums in which UPA 2 has managed to land itself,this no-accountability reshuffle seems even less like musical chairs than normal,more like rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic. It is thus certain that no minister will have a honeymoon

period in which their pronouncements will be trusted. Since the reshuffle has failed to end the feeling that the UPA is drifting,it will be necessary to instead ensure that the ministries under new management take some swift,clear action. That alone will be able to achieve what the UPAs leadership appears to be seeking: a sense of renewal.

In particular,the infrastructure ministries,which have been the focus of much recent attention,must move ahead on a visible agenda. Theres more than enough concern that several New Delhi bhavans have begun to meddle excessively in the private sector; the consequent fears of crony capitalism and favouritism have damaged both the larger economy and the political capital of the UPA leadership. Those are precisely the areas where action needs to be speedily taken. The broad outlines of the agenda are easy to discern. The first point is the empowerment of regulators,and the upgrade of regulations. Nothing clears up fears of political interference as quickly as the knowledge that a transparent,independent regulatory apparatus is being installed or reinvigorated. In the roads ministry,for example,the National Highways Authority of

India must be given an activist,full-time chairman who understands why we need to step up road-building. In the companies and mining ministries,long-delayed new regulations must finally be cleared,notified and implemented. Jaipal Reddy in the petroleum ministry also has a tough job,getting the hydrocarbons regulator to act quicker on enforcing competitive conditions. And real estate regulation from the urban development ministry is overdue.

There are two other areas where speedy action will be necessary,and be noticed. One is in various land-related questions. The coal ministry,the urban development ministry,the roads ministry,are all held back by land questions. A comprehensive land policy will go some way to clearing the blockages in our polity and economy. And then theres the matter of public-private partnerships. Government contracts to and partnerships with the private sector must be made more transparent and open. That,above all,will

help the UPA slowly scrub out the taint of 2010.