On the first day of its national convention, the BJP passed resolutions on agriculture and welfare of the poor, claiming it had done better than the UPA.
In a country where unemployment is at a historic high, the national anxiety isn’t about jobs — it’s about reach. Aspirations have shifted from employment to engagement, from careers to content.
What PM Rajiv Gandhi was referring to was not necessarily 85% diversion of funds. More to emphasise the high administrative cost of delivering services to ordinary citizens. The cost of governance remains forbiddingly high. In fact, across administrations, it is now the pure revenue deficit that is more troubling. Government’s capital outlays have been declining. No one who studies the current fiscal position of the Centre and the states – with the combined deficit over 6% of GDP – could feel sanguine. Financially ultra sound corporations like ONGC and HAL are borrowing from banks. All this despite the ten to twelve trillion bonanza from lower oil prices. The poor would be better off if more resources are left free for productive private investment.
What PM Rajiv Gandhi was referring to was not necessarily 85% diversion of funds. More to emphasise the high administrative cost of delivering services to ordinary citizens. The cost of governance remains forbiddingly high. In fact, across administrations, it is now the pure revenue deficit that is more troubling. Government’s capital outlays have been declining. No one who studies the current fiscal position of the Centre and the states – with the combined deficit over 6% of GDP – could feel sanguine. Financially ultra sound corporations like ONGC and HAL are borrowing from banks. All this despite the ten to twelve trillion bonanza from lower oil prices. The poor would be better off if more resources are left free for productive private investment.