Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement in Parliament on plans to implement NRC nationwide is ludicrous, unworkable and unnecessary. There was a historical and social context behind the exercise in Assam. But a nationwide NRC is nothing but political deception by BJP and amounts to opening yet another front for polarisation.
Govt’s disinvestment move is bold, but will be tested by opposition from its swadeshi lobby
Modi government’s move to disinvest in 5 PSUs is bold. It will provide a boost to government finances. But, with only around four months left in this fiscal and likely opposition from its own swadeshi lobby, the government’s ability to push through these asset sales will be severely tested.
To Muslims who were advised to “ move on “ after the one sided Ayodhya verdict, the feeling will be that our forbearance is being seen as turning the other cheek. The perfect Gandhian response would be abstinence from participating in the NRC process. 2. 55% of Indians live in Opposition ruled states. It is for the state governments to take a principled stand. 3. The economy is where it is. It needs distractions like a hole in the head. If the bad news keeps piling up, expect a ratings downgrade to Junk. 4. The rest of the world, as reflected in its media, is feeling concerned over several issues, but expressing concerns in private. That might give to a more public expression of dismay.
… give way to …
The only regret over the proposed disinvestment / privatisation decision is that it has come five years too late. It should have been announced in the first flush of victory, out of conviction that this is part of the medication the Indian economy needs. Not at a time when tax targets are way beyond optimistic, the fisc is stressed and distressed. Good that transfer of management control is part of the package. Shuffling ownership of PSUs around the government system was not genuine privatisation. Now that the door has opened a little, keep pushing it foreword. The swadeshi lobby knows even less about economics than I do about nuclear physics, so it should go back to its paath puja.
… pushing it forward.