'High growth means little'
Aiyar lashed out at the government’s economy managers for a blinkered perspective and lack of concern for issues that affect the common man’s life.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: Union panchayati raj minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, a votary of group-think on secularism, appears to believe that it’s a bad idea when it comes to issues such as management of economy. Mr Aiyar, who is quite uncomfortable with the economic paradigm of the government of which he is a member, gave vent to his anger yet again at a book release function in the Capital.
Mr Aiyar lashed out at the government’s economy managers for a blinkered perspective and lack of concern for issues that affect the common man’s life. “Is panchayati raj a priority area of any government after 1989,” Mr Aiyar asked, and repeated his pet theory that high growth-rate does not mean much. Incidentally, a section of the audience cheered Mr Aiyar loudly when he nostalgically referred to a period of late ‘80s and the slow growth rate.
What angered Mr Aiyar was the unanimity on reform issues among members of both the ruling side and the Opposition at the book release function. He hinted that reform has become a group dogma on both sides of the political aisle and this provides no platform for dissent.
The minister also had a piece of advice for industry captains on good corporate behaviour. The minister told Mukesh Ambani, who was sharing the dais with P Chidambaram, Arun Shourie and N K Singh that corporates are not doing enough for the society.
“Corporates are talking about setting up more universities when the attention is required in primary education,” Mr Aiyar said. He got support from Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia. The MP said money should be allotted straight to the panchayats so that they can be the master of their destiny and decide what they want to do with it.
The finance minister said it was a great idea, but reminded his colleagues that it could not be implemented because of pressure from states to route resources through them.
The panchayati raj minister recently caused a flutter in the government when he charged small elite with hijacking the policy agenda of the government. He told a CII meet that the Cabinet he belongs to is quite comfortable with this hijacking.
“The minute suggestions are made (in the Cabinet) as to what would perhaps benefit the people and what would benefit the classes, the tendency is to say that our great achievement is 9.2% growth. Our great achievement is that Indian industrialists are buying Arcelor and Corus. That Time magazine thinks we are a great power,” he had said.
This drew loud cheers from the Leftists, much to the discomfort of the government.
Mr Aiyar lashed out at the government’s economy managers for a blinkered perspective and lack of concern for issues that affect the common man’s life. “Is panchayati raj a priority area of any government after 1989,” Mr Aiyar asked, and repeated his pet theory that high growth-rate does not mean much. Incidentally, a section of the audience cheered Mr Aiyar loudly when he nostalgically referred to a period of late ‘80s and the slow growth rate.
What angered Mr Aiyar was the unanimity on reform issues among members of both the ruling side and the Opposition at the book release function. He hinted that reform has become a group dogma on both sides of the political aisle and this provides no platform for dissent.
The minister also had a piece of advice for industry captains on good corporate behaviour. The minister told Mukesh Ambani, who was sharing the dais with P Chidambaram, Arun Shourie and N K Singh that corporates are not doing enough for the society.
“Corporates are talking about setting up more universities when the attention is required in primary education,” Mr Aiyar said. He got support from Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia. The MP said money should be allotted straight to the panchayats so that they can be the master of their destiny and decide what they want to do with it.
The finance minister said it was a great idea, but reminded his colleagues that it could not be implemented because of pressure from states to route resources through them.
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The panchayati raj minister recently caused a flutter in the government when he charged small elite with hijacking the policy agenda of the government. He told a CII meet that the Cabinet he belongs to is quite comfortable with this hijacking.
“The minute suggestions are made (in the Cabinet) as to what would perhaps benefit the people and what would benefit the classes, the tendency is to say that our great achievement is 9.2% growth. Our great achievement is that Indian industrialists are buying Arcelor and Corus. That Time magazine thinks we are a great power,” he had said.
This drew loud cheers from the Leftists, much to the discomfort of the government.
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