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Teluguhero Comedian Username: Teluguhero Post Number: 1882 Registered: 04-2008 Posted From: 63.151.12.167 Rating: |
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-edit-page/how-p m-modi-pursues-a-transformational-agenda-extending-liberalis ation-to-the-poor/ How PM Modi pursues a transformational agenda, extending liberalisation to the poor Prime Minister Narendra Modi is Indiaâs first PM to embark on a wider governance reform agenda, to bring about transformation in the lives of citizens with a strong bias in favour of the poor and farmers. Hitherto, reforms meant only liberalisation of the economy to unshackle the corporate sector. Modi is at odds with a status quoist approach. His novel âGive It Upâ campaign, urging well-off people to give up LPG subsidies, resulted in over 1.13 crore people voluntarily giving up subsidies. No other governmental appeal has ever elicited such a terrific voluntary response. Free LPG connections are now being extended to cover 5 crore poor households in 3 years, a measure aimed at enhancing the quality of life of women with positive health effects. This is a classic case of targeted subsidies for the poor, with the wholehearted and voluntary self-exclusion of the well-off sections. Mandatory neem coating of urea has reduced its diversion for non-agricultural applications, and ended the era of urea shortages for farmers. Jan Dhan Yojana, the PMâs successful financial inclusion initiative, has made it possible to deliver subsidies directly into bank accounts via integrated JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) platform, thereby eliminating leakages. The new crop insurance policy leverages mobile and satellite technologies to facilitate accurate assessment and quick settlement of claims. Power availability has improved throughout the country; the PMâs vision of 24Ã7 supply of âpower for allâ will be achieved by 2019. With the debt-ridden, mismanaged discoms proving to be the weakest link in 24Ã7 power supply, the Modi government has launched the âUdayâ scheme to wipe out losses through innovative debt restructuring plans. National highways construction has galloped from 2 km per day in the UPA era to 18 km per day at present. The Modi government will more than double the length of national highways from 96,000 km to 2 lakh km in its tenure, signalling a huge expansion. To deliver on its promise of doubling farm incomes, the Modi government has made huge allocations to irrigation and agriculture and outlined a grand vision to bring 28.5 lakh hectares under irrigation. Modi has brought about a paradigm shift in governance by strengthening and financially empowering states. Congress PMs, mostly from the Nehru dynasty, made sure that financially weak states remained subservient to the Centre. Modi took the bold step of devolving more funds to state governments to make them financially self-reliant. In addition, a large share of savings from preventing leakages of subsidies and entire revenues from coal auctions are being passed on to states as an incentive for effective implementation. The previous UPA government was mired in a string of bribery scandals throughout its life span. High level corruption is now a thing of the past. A transparent auction regime has replaced the Congress eraâs crony capitalism. Wilful defaulters are being pursued vigorously, while nationalised banks have been completely rid of political interference to function professionally. To bring about a positive change, you have to first believe that change is possible. Unlike most of our cynical politicians, bureaucrats and intellectuals, PM Modi is an eternal optimist and a realist. âYeh hum kar sakte hain jiâ, (we can do this) is his usual refrain for most governance challenges. When Jan Dhan Yojana was implemented sceptics doubted its efficacy, saying that people would not deposit money as these are zero balance accounts. Modi disagreed with these naysayers. He has been proved right with more than Rs 36,000 crore being deposited in 22 crore plus Jan Dhan accounts. Modiâs positivity makes him an instant hit with the people, particularly women and the youth. Rahul Gandhi realised this much to his chagrin when college girls in Bengaluru overwhelmingly rooted for prime ministerâs Swachh Bharat and Make in India programmes. Modi is a natural and innate reformer. He abhors disorderly functioning. Unlike what his critics allege, Modi is a quintessential democrat who encourages everyone to speak, listens to every point of view in the party and the government. Modi practices Mahatma Gandhiâs dictum, âLearn as if you were to live foreverâ and is in learning mode ad infinitum. It is this profound understanding of politics and governance that sets Modi apart from the rest of his ilk and his predecessors. |
