Important Economic Events of the Year 2007 and Prospects for The Year 2008' was the topic of discussion conducted by Swadeshi Vichar Kendra in its continuing series of monthly group discussions. Discussion was held on 28th of Jan 2008, at its central office "Dharamkshetra" Sector-8 RK.Puram. Sh.R. Balashankar, editor of the Organiser, presided over and a large number of intellectuals, professionals and social activists participated in the enlightened exchange of views. Sh. Vidyanand Acharya, the editor of Swadeshi Patrika Hindi welcomed the participants and gave them a brief introduction of the monthly activity of Swadeshi Vichar Kendra.
Initiating the discussion, he said that the year 2007 has been a year full of economic activities. The year will be remembered for a long time to come because of the impact of several incidents that took place in 2007.He mentioned different reports that were published during the year amidst euphoric shouts of high growth rate. Vidyanad Acharya in particular referred to Arjun Sengupta report on unorganised sector and its conclusion that over 77% of Indian population was forced to live on an average income of below Rs. 20/- per day. This, he said, exposed the claims of poverty reduction propagated by the government. This vindicated the stand of people like proponents of Swadeshi that the economic policies followed were not helping the common man. Now every body including the PM Dr. Man Mohan Singh is talking about inclusive growth. Vidyanad Acharya also mentioned Singur and farmer suicides throughout the country in general and in Vidharba in particular.
Sh. Balashankar Ji took the discussion forward and underlined several issues of importance. Recalling some important media events now being held regularly in the country, Balashankar ji pointed out how political leadership across the spectrum was behaving in unison. Issues concerning common people never figure in these conclaves. He also mentioned the increasing gulf between the rich and poor. Criticising the neglect of infrastructure projects, Balashanker said that Gujarat has demonstrated how a simple road link to villages spurts the economic activity there.
Others who participated in the discussion is presented in brief hereunder along with some of their views.
Sh. Harsh Aggarwal: inclusive growth is imperative and GDP growth not a dependable measuring rod. Raw material based export policy and import of high cost capital goods not in the long-term interest of Indian Nuclear Deal a compulsion.
Sh. Shiva Ji Sarkar: Priorities of policy planners shocking. High cost projects like Delhi Metro preferred in spite of better alternatives available. Parallel Highway NH2 in UP pure loot of public money. Concept, cost and utility of the 1400 km NH2 questionable. Repairing and redeveloping GT Road would have been much better option. cost of the project revised to 40,000 crores from initially talked 30,000 crore, should by liberal estimates not exceed Rs. 10,000 crore @ standard cost of construction( Rs 5 crore/Km.)
Energy policy of the government faulty. No basic research in energy sector. No thought given to the crisis that will emerge after 2015. (Year when petrol products will peak). Large numbers of workers returning from gulf will be a huge task. A future looking proper energy policy needed.
Sh Pradeep Ji : New Metro projects developed in standard gage format where there is no experience in this country. Desirability of metro at a cost of Rs. 30 crore per metre needs a study.
Niloranjan: Indian economy being destroyed deliberately. A strong national agitation not visible. Integration of smaller protests a must.
. Ajay Bharti: communal angle introduced by the incumbent government into economy through Sachar Committer report, wheat imports policy and global warming will impact economy adversely
Dr. Devinder Sharma (renowned Agriculture and food security expert)
People including policy makers fail to understand economic terms like growth & GDP. China, accepting its mistake and is talking about reducing growth rate to about 7%. A higher growth rate means nothing to the country if it continues to widen gap between rich and the poor.
Agriculture policy of successive governments at centre, irrespective of the parties to which they belonged, has been to push farmers out of farming. It is exit policy for farmers. Decision makers and the ruling class believe only be 20% population should be dependent on farming to sustain the economy. Accordingly Agriculture patterns of west particularly the US, being imitated. 40 crore Indians that will be displaced from villages by the year 2015 because of these policies not discussed by rulers. This is going to be the largest displacement in history of mankind and will lead to uncontrolled social, Political and economic repercussions.
Districts under Naxal control went up to 200 from 161 at the time Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh took over. central government promising liberal help to states to tackle the naxal menace without addressing the basic issue responsible for the growth in Naxal problem.
Referring to the wheat imports, he added, that government was about to import paddy as well. 2008 will be the year when we will be dependent on wheat imports, he added further and critised the over all policy thrust of the government. Citing the example of oil seeds, the learned speaker explained that the government focus was to import oil seeds by bringing down the duty to 0%. It is help to the industry and not to the farmers who could have been encouraged to cultivate oil seeds within the country. Underlining yet another strange aspect of government policy, Devinder Ji said, argument forwarded in case of wheat import was to check the rising price in the interest of consumers, but fall of prices in sugar is being checked ignoring the very interests of the consumer". "It is simply the way to help industry at the cost of poor farmers and the Aam Aadmi in every situation".
Political class not in a position to provide solutions. Contract farming and future tradinghas not helped farmers in USA. Farmer's income in US down from 70% to 4% in a short span of time. The reduced income going to new breed of middlemen. Destruction of Indian Agriculture is being done in a panned manner and there is unanimity in the ruling class across the political spectrum on this count.
Dr. J.K Bajaj : A large number of people including several well-meaning friends think differently. They believe economy is going in right direction and it will take a little time to ensure that the change trickles down. Change taking place can't be denied.. Therefore a discussion with the people who think differently is needed
Reward System in the country has broke down. Present reward system dividing the country. core Jobs getting neglected. Huge disparity between wages of an MBA and a PhD scholar. Incentives needed to attract talent to basic sciences. Laws related to Agriculture have been weakened. Ruling class, it seems, has found a way to eliminate 40% population of the country that it believes are excess in number. India has 40% more people than needed has been belief of ruling elite since Independence
Sh. Ajay Ji (Precharak) : Rulers( both present and past) culprits of scuttling the process of self reliance and regeneration. self reliant and independent villages threat to corrupt governments. Gandhi's doctrine espoused in Hindu Swarajya rejected by congress led by Pt. Nehru on this premise.. Time to develop some models, one in every district to begin with, to show case the possible alternative path.
Sh. B.K. Keayla Ji,: people in government agree with you when you meet them, but they do nothing when it comes to action.. Conclusions of the discussions should be taken to the people in position who can deliver. Utility of WTO for USA decreasing. FTA route by that country being used increasingly. India finding it difficult to have F.T.A with countries like Sri Lanka. As these countries are already committed to USA. need to address the issue related to FTA and IPR as apriority.
Sh. Kashmiri Lal ji: There have been people who have delivered. Kinkari Devi a legend. Swami Viveka anda's vision and inspiration behind establishment o
f Tata's Indian Institute of Sciences. Need to make the conclusions of such discussion part of election manfestos of political parties. Continuos effort needed.
Vidyanand Acharya
