Qualitative change in Indian polity : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Qualitative change in Indian polity

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Telangana Today (05-04-2018)

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao during the budget session of State Assembly, while participating in a discussion on appropriation bill, said that his idea of a national alternative for a qualitative change is not just about bringing few parties together, but also to unite all sections of people across states for the development of the country with a common agenda. This has a clear message in it.

CM KCR also vehemently criticised both BJP and Indian National Congress for their failure in all aspects during the past 70 years and cautioned of threat to national integrity if this is not checked. And hence need for qualitative change in national politics reiterated CM. What could be the common agenda the CM anticipating?  CM also has been frequently referring to Leveraging India and Indian Economy as part of his idea of qualitative change agenda.

Ever since CM conceived this idea he has held series of meetings and consultations with likeminded people and experts from various fields and political bigwigs like Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal, Hemanth Soren of Jharkhand, Cine artist Prakash Raj, senior journalist Sekhar Gupta, etc.

The Chief Minister is sharing his ideas on the National Agenda which would ultimately become the philosophy for the proposed National Party or the people’s front which would be a consortium of parties. The regional parties that are likely to join in the consortium will exist as they are now, but also will co-exist with national party. The proposed national party will not be a mere alliance but will be a unifying force of the masses of India. For any observer who closely follows what CM has been saying in different platforms it’s clear that he is aiming at great towards fulfilling his goal.

Adapting to situation

As part of qualitative change one definite requirement as expressed by the CM is the need to make remarkable changes in every domain. Strict discipline is also very important. First and foremost is changes in Constitution of India making it more and more relevant to the changing times and needs. Unless extensive amendments are made to Constitution there cannot be real qualitative change in our polity.

There is no need for a concurrent list in the Constitution and it is enough if just two lists-the federal and the state-are incorporated. CM also made it clear that subjects like urban development, rural development, rural roads, rural water supply, drinking water, welfare of all including women and child welfare, sanitation, health and education etc are to be totally transferred to states.

However, subjects like external affairs, foreign policy, defence, internal security, railways, communications, national highways, major ports, posts and telegraph, para military, atomic energy, currency etc may be with centre. Even the need for cooperation between Judiciary and Executive will also have to be explained to the people.

We need to think together on how to leverage economy better to meet the present as well as future needs of the people. It could be development of roads, ports, infrastructure, labour intensive manufacturing industry and so on. We need to advance on an intelligent approach but at the same time concessions as benefiting larger sections of people say for instance MSP to farmer are also equally important.

For the country to be stable and peaceful the farming community must be uplifted. The investment support scheme for agriculture announced in Telangana-it might cost couple of lakhs of crores may be implemented all over the country. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme should be linked to agriculture.

Proper Policy

Leveraging India and Indian economy needs to be accorded high importance. It is not merely about investing money alone but also formulation of a proper policy. Tools for growth must be developed and implemented efficiently. For instance, what should be the urban policy, what should be rural policy and what are the best practices in the world need to be studied to arrive at the best practices for the country.

For leveraging India and Indian economy, we need to have people who can communicate with the common people and inspire them. At the same time, leaders should also have the ability to show-case India’s potential to the world.

We need to find out a way to convert the enormous amount of black money into white money. Tax policy must have better incentives and there must be an enabling mechanism wherein the declared money could be invested in public sectors or in infrastructure development. There is a need to bring such a policy where they will liberally invest. This will boost the GDP level and the economy.

Parliament supremacy must be unequivocal. The stumbling blocks that come in the way of this from any corner must be countered and we should not shy away from necessary judicial and other reforms. All is not well with the so-called checks and balances and they landed the country in problems. Any day the maker of the country is the elected government and the individuals at the helm of the affairs make a difference. Elected Government is final. To what extent the government’s decisions are to be subjected to scrutiny is debatable and certainly not every aspect.

Empowering States

The states need to be much more empowered. As has been advocated by CM, the total availability of 70,000 TMC of water in India should be equally distributed among all states not giving any scope for litigation. The subject of water must be with Government of India and to be distributed to different states as per the requirement through a transparent process.

The Finance Commission of India which must have a radical in its approach has never been so till now. Its appointment should be on a permanent basis. It should work on the lines to leverage country’s and states’ economy.  The permanent finance commission shall advice the Government of India in all aspects on a regular basis. Assessing and leveraging the finances of the country and states is its main function. NITI Ayog will have to work hand in hand with finance commission. NITI Ayog should plan and work on national projects and state projects like irrigation.

Ultimately, towards leveraging India and Indian economy, these and many more steps need to be taken in a time-bound manner to bring a qualitative change in politics as envisaged by KCR.

Incorporating a broad-based reform oriented agricultural policy benefiting the Indian farmer that include assured MSP and investment support; provision for income tax relief to all those whose income is less; digging out black money and thereby pooling funds for Government investment; establishing parliamentary supremacy; judicial reforms; equitable distribution of 70,000 TMC of available water in the country by centre; provision of minimum wages to small and marginal employees; electoral reforms; bureaucratic reforms; making Finance Commission a permanent body etc, among many more other things, will have to form part of a gigantic National Agenda for a qualitative change in politics in India as declared by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao.