Page 10 - EW June 2021 Low Res

Editorial

FAILED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT RUMINATIONS surance regulatory authorities.
Moreover it’s critically important
that the judicial system is also thor-
he silver lining of the prolonged Honest reflection makes it abun- oughly overhauled and empowered
lockdown of industry, business dantly clear that adoption of the to ensure timely enforceability of
Tand normative life in over a doz- State dominated socialist economic contracts, a prerequisite of economic
en of India’s 29 states to prevent the development model was a grievous growth. Over 275 Law Commission re-
spread and transmission of the dead- error from which a complete U-turn ports to reform the justice system and
ly Coronavirus pandemic rampaging is overdue and necessary. The whole especially some that recommend that
across the country, is that it has pro- cargo of industry regulation and con- written pleadings should be the rule
vided all good men (man embraces trols needs to be jettisoned for the rather than exception, need urgent
woman) and true, with time to deeply economy to record double digit GDP implementation.
reflect upon why post-independence annual growth rates during the next India’s ancient texts on the art of
India’s high-potential national devel- decade. There’s urgent necessity to governance including the Arthashas-
opment project, is a comprehensive revive the ancient tradition of govern- tra recommended that kings should
failure. ment restricting itself to governance govern, businessmen should prosper,
The evidence that it has gone bust and administration. Wealth genera- pay taxes and enrich the treasury to
is overwhelming. Over 300 million tion, necessary for national develop- enable kings to invest in public wel-
adult citizens are illiterate; the daily ment, is best left to industry leaders fare — education, health and infra-
income of 68 percent of contemporary and businessmen who by definition structure. Post-independence India’s
India’s 260 million households is less are best qualified to optimally mobil- failure to respect this development
than $2 per day which means that over ise and convert factors of production prescription written and practised in
880 million citizens are severely de- (land, labour capital) into successful, an era when the subcontinent was a
prived of food, clothing and shelter. self-sustaining and employment gen- global power has been vividly exposed
Pervasive deprivation of the basics erating business enterprises. by the current Covid pandemic. Ad-
of civilised existence is compounded Admittedly, industry needs to be mittedly this ancient, organic pre-
by rock-bottom learning outcomes regulated to preclude monopolies and scription is simple. But for orderly
in the country’s 1.20 million public cartelisation. But this is best done by governance and modest prosperity for
schools and — as highlighted by the independent, sufficiently empowered India’s billion-plus cruelly betrayed
heavy toll of the pandemic — a hope- regulatory agencies such as the Com- citizens, simplicity and transparency
lessly inadequate public health system. petition Commission, telecom and in- are necessary virtues.

PRIME MINISTER MUST STOOP TO CONQUER water reserves of north India’s farm-
lands have become severely depleted.
In short the newly enacted farm laws
he sustained protest of mil- the Essential Commodities (Amend- serve the broad public interest.
lions of farmers on the borders ment) Act, 2020. Nevertheless the unprecedented,
Tof Delhi completed six months Now in the heyday of the digital prolonged mass protest of farmers
on May 26, observed by the protes- communication revolution with the from the breadbasket states against
tors as Black Flag day. Although this entire country provided real-time the farm laws deserves patient hear-
continuous agitation of farmers of telecom connectivity, paternalistic ing to ameliorate the pain points of
Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar laws and regulations prohibiting con- the legislation. Undoubtedly, the pro-
Pradesh who produce 60 percent of tract farming and farm gate purchases cess of enacting the impugned laws
the country’s foodgrains no longer with farmers being obliged to auction through a hurried voice vote while
makes media headlines, protesting horticulture produce in state govern- the opposition had walked out of that
farmers grouped under the banner of ment controlled APMCs (Agriculture parliamentary session, is a good argu-
the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) ex- Produce Marketing Committees) have ment for repealing and re-enacting the
hibit no signs of relenting until their outlived their purpose. It’s high time three farm laws after due deliberation
demand for the revocation of three ag- India became a common market for and parliamentary debate. Especially
riculture reform Acts hurriedly passed agriculture produce with farmers free since the Central government has con-
by Parliament in September last year, to sell their produce to anyone, any- ceded the demand for minimum sup-
is met. where countrywide, at best available port prices and has also agreed to hold
On the other hand, the BJP-led prices. the laws in abeyance for 18 months.
NDA government, which is deter- Moreover the Central govern- Quite clearly this protracted face-
mined to liberalise trade in agriculture ment’s minimum support price sys- off in Delhi NCR is a test of wills and
commodities and produce, is hell-bent tem for wheat and rice, plus free elec- battle of egos. Although the agitating
on enforcing the three Acts, viz, Farm- tricity provided by state governments farmers don’t have a strong case, the
ers’ Produce Trade and Commerce has resulted in over-production and national interest would be best served
(Promotion and Facilitation) Act, foodgrain mountains of the public if the Centre and prime minister Modi
2020; the Farmers Empowerment and sector FCI (Food Corporation of In- repeal and re-enact these laws follow-
Protection Agreement on Price Assur- dia) of which 20 percent is consumed ing detailed debate in Parliament. The
ance and Farm Services Act 2020 and by rodents. Simultaneously ground- prime minister must stoop to conquer.

10 EDUCATIONWORLD JUNE 2021