NREGA, Private involvement may be the answer!

India had Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes for many decades; the most publicized and criticized being _ MGNREGA, the pet project of UPA 1 & 2 Governments. It is beyond doubt that Rural Employment Guarantee programs aided contain poverty to certain extent if not completely. During a recent interaction with few villagers I realized how these programs were a necessity for rural India over the years. Many could provide livelihood to their families, and also support education of their child due to the minimum wages they received.

Unfortunately, India failed to create rural assets like roads, micro irrigation projects or other basic amenities utilizing the available manpower over the years. The biggest drawback noticed in implementing the programs was the lack of accountability among the beneficiaries or the authorities. This lack of accountability had a never recoverable impact on the society that guzzled billions over the years.

Though such programs were not publicized much in the earlier times; MGNREGA was the flagship initiative of the Dr Manmohan Singh-led UPA Governments between 2004 & 20014. While the program was being most talked about among the Delhi media, assessment of its impact was ignored from time to time. Though there has been few concerns raised by the Opposition at the highest level; the voices didn’t gather much momentum.

If someone asks, Is a scheme like MGNREGA a necessity? It could be argued that it is needed to ensure growth in rural India. Though there will be certain voice who may not appreciate the idea; but involving private sector may not be a bad idea in this. It would be better if Narendra Modi-led NDA Government could formulate a PPP model to take up works in the rural areas. Getting private players to part fund identified rural infrastructure project that would provide employment to the local populace might be the answer to the functioning of such a program. Involvement of private sector may bring in accountability and fasten our progress.

Elections 2014: #ThankYouDrManMohanSingh

At a time when India awaits results of #Elections2014 with much anticipation on who will be the next Prime Minister of #India, it is only fair to remember the man who gave the much needed impetus to the Indian economy in 1991, the man who laid the foundation stone to the India that moved miles away from the days of ‘License Raj’ – Dr Manmohan Singh, the outgoing Prime Minister of India! It is only fair to spare a thought for this gentleman.

 

In 2004, when there was high drama over who will be the Prime Minister of Congress-led UPA Government, like many across the country, I too was not comfortable with the idea of Sonia Gandhi on the hot seat. There were rounds of debates in New Delhi with many Congress leaders requesting their madam to take-up the responsibility. It was not just a moment of relief, but also a moment of great anticipation when Sonia Gandhi announced that senior Congress leader and a rank-outsider Dr Manmohan Singh will be the Prime Minister.

 

This announcement has brought great cheer across India. Indian industry was surely happy with the decision then! The man who liberalized Indian economy was to lead the Indian Government from the time when it was growing at over eight percent. India’s #Sensex and #Nifty gave a thumbs-up to the decision taken by the Congress party president and the Indian industry looked up to the man who they thought to put India among top economies of the world.

 

UPA-1 under Manmohan Singh fared decent, if not brilliant. The Government took many initiatives across sectors including measures to build robust infrastructure, along with welfare activities. The Government led by possibly the cleanest Prime Minister in the history and with a decent report card about its performance didn’t find much difficulty in returning to power as UPA-2.

 

Dr Manmohan Singh, who is a victim of bad performance of his colleagues unfortunately, is at the receiving end of utmost criticism. His great past is marred by greater scams that this country has seen. I strongly feel Congress Party has done a great disservice to the man who played the most crucial role in shaping the modern India since 1991 when he was the Finance Minister of India under P V Narsimha Rao’s leadership.

 

It would just be fair to say Dr Manmohan Singh, the outgoing Prime Minister of India was a great leader and fantabulous economist. We only wish this great man a long, happy and healthy life. #ThankYouDrManMohanSingh