Pranab’s home truths
Speaking some home truths while addressing the nation in a constructive vein on the eve of Independence Day, President Pranab Mukherjee noted the existence of “widespread cynicism and disillusionment with governance and the functioning of institutions”, and called corruption “a major challenge”. His fellow citizens will concur, whatever their political orientation.
Even as the Rashtrapati lauded the 7.9 per cent average rate of growth in the country over the past 10 years, which coincides with the UPA’s stint in office, Mr Mukherjee urged a debate on the issue of growth and redistribution. He said larger expenditures had not translated into better outcomes, and noted that inclusive growth was not possible without inclusive governance.
The government — the present one and the one we will elect next year — will do well to factor in the broad truth inherent in the observation. Not getting a handle on prices of daily essentials, whose spiralling quality in the decade in which we have witnessed unprecedented high growth (despite the recent slowing down), has hurt the most needy the most. This is perhaps the fundamental cause for the present somewhat downcast mood.
The government has brought in policies of great import — rural employment, as well as right to information, education and food, as a matter of entitlement. But runaway prices hurt the common man on a daily basis, and also the macro economy. Perhaps in order to control administration better, the President has urged the election of a “stable” government in the general election ahead.
Post new comment