On the eve of election results I would like to summarize my wish list for the new Government, no matter whose it is going to be. Sequence is of no particular importance. So here they are:
1. More muscle to the Government: Undoubtedly, these are difficult times in terms of security of our nation. Beheading of soldiers, terrorist strikes, all have seen little or ineffective follow up action. While Maoism is trying to implode India, terrorism is keen on keeping the nation under constant fear, not to mention the “official” ceasefire violations at the border. Under this circumstance, only policy of love won’t do. The Government needs to have more muscle and adopt a no nonsense approach in security matters. In case of breach of trust by neighbouring countries, matters should be taken to a higher level than playing or not playing cricket. Goes an old adage “बिन भय होए न प्रीत ”
Not only in foreign relations, the Government needs more teeth in internal matters too. If an illegal building/colony has to be demolished, it should be demolished. Lack of discipline has led to blatant violation of rules expecting it to be regularized every time.
2. Armed Forces Morale Boost up: Recent naval accidents due to equipment failures and beheading of our soldiers evoking little strong response have done no good to the morale of our armed forces. A nation with a demoralized armed force can never be secure enough. Technology modernization and indigenization should be on the top of the agenda as we are still dependent on foreign technology majorly.
3. Right “Secularism”: Religion should not come in the way of law enforcement, job entitlement and other policy issues. “Indian First” should be the mantra for people of all religion. If a terrorist or a criminal is caught he or she should be punished under the law of the land irrespective of religion. And yes, first he should get caught irrespective of religion and strongest possible law should be made and implemented adopting a zero tolerance approach towards terrorism.
4. Interlinking of rivers: Large areas of our nation are bereft of development due to frequent occurring floods and droughts. Kosi region of Bihar is one such region which is prone to floods. Interlinking of rivers will go a long way in reaching out to impoverished areas.
5. Coherent policy: A coherent and practical policy should exist for everything from land acquisition, coal blocks allocation to environment clearances. Policy paralysis has seen corruption, flight of foreign capital, confusion in key sectors endangering energy security and fear among investors.
6. Encouragement to entrepreneurs: In some section of our society business is considered “bad”. India ranks 134 out of 189 in terms of ease of setting business. These two facts are not disparate. Many good people fear of setting up an enterprise because it involves running around government offices and even greasing palms of officials. In the process you also climb down the social ladder. Single window clearance for setting up of businesses along with clear cut policy and guidelines will definitely help. Only Government can’t create the number of jobs the country needs for its youth.
7. E-Governance: Changing people’s attitude is very difficult but creating a situation restricting leverage and personal discretion is easier. E-Governance which is nothing but technology penetration in Government is the most potent answer to corruption than even a Lokpal Bill. It can kill the scope to be corrupt. Not to forget the importance of a strong ombudsman.
8. Planned urban development: Development in majority of our urban clusters are haphazard
9. Skill Development for rural people: To put it straight it will not be easy to put all rural youths in well placed jobs immediately. Professional skill training and skill upgradation can go a long way in making them employable.
10. PURA: Provision of urban amenities in rural areas, a brainchild of APJ Abdul Kalam is the need of the hour to better the lives of villagers and to decrease migration resulting in less stress on our cities. A win-win game for all.
11. Energy security: The electricity situation in our country is still bleak. Almost 2/3rd of our petroleum needs are imported. All possible options of energy generation should be explored including nuclear.
12. Review of Article 370: The makers of the Constitution envisioned it as an ever evolving body. However, in some senses we have made it static. Article 370 may have been a political necessity when it was implemented. In modern days, there should be a discussion with all the stakeholders on the relevance of Article 370 according special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir and some provisions can be dropped like barring people from other states to buy land/do business in J&K. Integration with the rest of the nation only can draw Kashmiri youths from stone pelting to building a better India.
13. Production based economy: Having a made in India watch on American President’s wrist is still a pipe dream(pun intended). In fact it doesn’t matter if the American President wears made in India watch, what does matter is we should make other countries to rely on us for even supply of materials not only services. We are still a services based economy. We need to put more focus on expansion of our manufacturing capabilities. Given the pool of talent we have, we have huge scope in semiconductor,automobile,electronic equipments,textiles and other manufacturing sectors.
Of course the list is not exhaustive given the fact that I have not yet delved on key areas like agriculture, health education and many others. That would require more space and deliberation. But this is my small personal wish list for the new Government(not exhaustive).
I would be better off without a pay commission but I definitely need a strong India.
