India is undergoing astrange spasm as it isrocked
by the twin evils of corruption and intimidation. The social strains at ground
zero have a telling effect on polity which reflects fractured verdict in every
successive election since past two decades. There have also been attempts to
subvert the basic nature of our constitution. We are becomingincreasingly
illiberal and restive andsuccumb to political indoctrination despite economic
liberalism and exposure to global markets.
At this juncture we need a benevolent government
that sticks to the concept of welfare state rather thanwhimsical and vengeful.A couple of years agothe buzz was doing the round that India with its
impressive growth ratewould soon attain the status of super power. We never
hesitated, at that time, comparing India with China.Now that hope has been
belied and our growth rate has almost touched an all-time low (from 10% to 5%).
The falling growth rate, poor records of health
care, tyrannical tax regime, trailing on foreign policy and even sports have
put our heads in shame.There is a serious need to
overhaul and cleanse the existing blighted system that has developed an
attitude inimical to nation’s growth and people’s aspirations.Even several decades of the
end of license-permit-raj the bureaucratic haughtiness is yet to be shaken to
provide smooth passage to sound entrepreneurial and commercial development.
Our tax regime is extremely
irrational and aggressive that needs to be simplified to pave the country’s
economic prosperity. GST is a landmark legislation brought about to reform the
paralyzed economy by this government.
Resources allocation is yet another
front that requires serious pondering. The wasteful expenditure should be
curtailed as our economy is still languishing in recession and economic
downturn.
The astronomical figure of
our black money stashed in international banks abroad has also added to the
common man’s miseries. According to one estimates it is closer to around rupees
three lakh crore – the equivalent of amount spent on our annual health care and
education budget.
India has a glut of archaic
laws that are instrumental in placing us in uncomfortable position. We need to
do away with such Victorian laws, such as draconian land acquisition act which
was recently modified and its amended version were presented in our parliament.
The moral and spiritual
quotient of our nation has seen the worst fall as rape after rape has become
the norm. Toughest law is needed to deal with the situation that may send the
strong message to the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
Our police, on innumerable
occasions are indicted of torture during the interrogation of undertrials. The
custodial deaths too at times occur. The trend must be reversed and our law
enforcers should rely on modern techniques during interrogation.
Besides this we also need
free providence of health care and education till 10th standard. And
English should be made compulsory for the students to remove urban-rural
disparity.
The blasphemy and sedition
laws too should be removed to allow free expression as this the bedrock of
progress of any nation. The history has proved this time and again.
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