Political scenario

“All is not well” seems to an apt phrase for the current political situation faced by our country.

Miserable monsoon throughout the country has set fears of a severe drought. Maharashtra is one of the front runners of the affected states, already plagued with huge debts and farmer suicides. Nature has added to its woes. Agricultural output will be low, leading to an adverse affect on the economy. Hardly any money earned will result in hardly any money spent. Government is trying to help the affected through various schemes. This help must reach those in need and not be siphoned off by greedy, corrupt officials.

The stock market of mighty China plummeted recently, and in reaction so did the markets of the world. Whether China recovers or worsens further, remains to be seen. Meanwhile, this situation may not affect Indian economy directly as India is not a huge exporter to China. But, there are other countries such as US who have huge business deals with China. Therefore, slowdown in China will bring about slowdown in their economies. This, in turn, will affect the foreign direct investment in India as well as the boom in IT sector. The silver lining in this dark cloud may be the cheaper prices in global markets for products that we import. The RBI is doing its best to control inflation and seems to have succeeded presently to say the least. This defends the downfall in Rupee but the situation may not last long.

What comes as a great relief to the common man is the reduction in petrol prices, hope this may continue. It will act as a blessing for the present government.

Elections will take place in Bihar soon. In the wake of the Government not living up to its dream of “acche din” it will be interesting to see how BJP performs in Bihar.

The affluent Patel community is fighting for “reservations” in the jobs and education sector. The “forward” community is asking to be termed as “backward” in order to exploit the advantages that lay therein. We need to take a closer look at the entire “reservations” system. It should cater to those who are economically backward and deserving of any given course/education.

Our Prime Minister is literally on a world tour, having visited many countries in the recent past. Benefits from these visits are various kinds of agreements, contracts etc. Japan, for example will help India build smart cities. The prime minister is, through these visits gaining allies, friends, in displaying to a country “you are important” to us, we become important to them too. Another very important by product of these visits is the emotional appeal to the NRIs world over to invest in the betterment of their mother country, India.

A very important event is the withdrawal of the Land Acquisition Bill. This proposed bill has been touted by its detractors as anti-farmer and pro-capitalist. Supporters of the bill advocate it to be tailored for the benefit of rural India. The bill stresses that:

Government will acquire land from its owners for purposes such as defence, infrastructure, housing, electrification etc.

Government will use the land it already owns first, then barren land and then agricultural land, if required.

Landowners will get compensation in the tune to four times the market rate.

The clause of returning land to the owners, if projects do not get completed in five years was changed to time projects get set up or five years. Of these, the period wasted in legal hassles is not being incorporated.

The LAB is implemented honestly and passionately, it will bring about great progress in rural India. This will stop people from flocking to the cities that are already overburdened. The LAB needs to be taken to the voters, educating them, bringing about further reforms in it as required and then implemented.

Although it is too early to say, my romantic soul wishes the Government fulfills all its promises, making India the land of progress and reverse brain drain.