Has the government lost its mind?
In this issue:
» Yet another hike in petrol prices
» 'India has a crisis within a crisis': FM
» Will clearances be sufficient to end the infra logjam?
» Is gold all set for another bull run?
» ....and more!
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India is facing a crisis currently. The economy has been slowing down. Investments seem to be drying up. The rupee has been nose-diving. The deficit situation has been worsening. And in the wake of the higher crude oil prices, it is but natural that the deficit situation would only get worse. Therefore the government has to come up with a solution and has to come up with one fast.
For this the Oil Ministry has chalked out a plan that aims at reducing India's oil import bill. Measures proposed by them include importing more oil from Iran to control our dollar expenses. It also includes embarking on an austerity drive to conserve fuel in the country. Post these recommendations, the Oil Minister stated that he could consider shutting the petrol pumps at night. He immediately reiterated that this is just a proposal as of now.
So if we go by his proposal, India should ideally come to a standstill at night to help India solve its crisis. Going by this someone could also say that lets just shut the government offices to control corruption in the country. Someone else would say let's just shut down India completely to solve all problems. But are these really the solutions to our problems?
The Minister has now stated to a leading television channel, that this proposal is not really the government's idea but one that has come from the public. If that is the case, then how about taking other ideas from the public as well?
The public demands that the government wakes up and acts on policy reforms and actions. The public demands that the government stops wasting our hard earned tax payers' money on foolish populist measures and use that money to build up on the much needed infrastructure, sanitation, etc. The public demands that the government restores investor confidence in the country so that the investment cycle kick starts. This would create the much needed employment opportunity which the youth of India desperately needs. But is the government really listening to the public?
Do you agree with Mr Moily's ideas on shutting petrol pumps to drive austerity? Please share your comments or post them on our Facebook page / Google+ page
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Source: Economic Times |
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It's turning out to be a vicious circle of high inflation and slow growth for India. There is no quick-fix solution to bring India out of this economic mess. The fact is that Indian policymakers seldom take any corrective steps unless they are pushed to the brink of economic disaster. And then of course, they are left with no alternative but to take the tough decisions. People often credit Manmohan Singh with the slew of economic reforms that brought India out of the 1991 balance of payment crisis. But was it his genius that saved India then? Or were we in a circumstance where we had no alternative but to initiate major economic reforms? In our view, it was the latter. So be prepared for a much bigger crisis before things get any better.
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36 Responses to "Has the government lost its mind?"
sumana srinivasa
Sep 4, 2013I have an idea to make the rupee go back to 50. first stop giving subsidies on all the things weather food ,,fuel, studies, scholarships, anything. & make all the people to pay taxes right from the bottom line up to the politician, and the way it has been spent to be in transparancy. (do not do it in coal type). avoid red tapism .
VINEET JAIN
Sep 3, 2013I have an idea which can help the country come out of this increasing fuel crisis. The demand of diesel is much high compared to petrol. Thus the amount of loss or fiscal burden that the economy is facing is due to high consumption of diesel. I think the government should hugely subsidise petrol and relax duties and taxes on petrol vehicles. This will make petrol much cheaper than diesel and thus more and more people would convert to the environment friendly fuel. This will improve the imbalance of consumption between petrol and diesel. Diesel consumption is and will always remain high as it’s required by industries, trucks and public transportation. So subsidising diesel will always be a problem for the economy. Government can compensate the loss arising from petrol subsidy from the huge additional revenue generated by not subsidising diesel. Industries and Logistics will transfer the cost of increased diesel price to the people but people will save a lot by subsidised petrol rates as the daily commute cost will go down. This will also become a populist measure, which is ideal at this juncture to retain people’s confidence. I hope will al honesty that this plan will work.
RUPESH SHAH
Sep 3, 2013such casual comment from minister raise serious doubts about the intention and ability of the Govt to handle the current crisis and will weaken the investor confidence in the economy...person at the helm of affairs is expected to be more responsible while making comment in the public...Hope wise counsel will prevail in future..
Gurudas Aras
Sep 3, 2013The present government has not only lost the direction but now its evident that it has even lost the interest. Its totally foolish to come out with such laughable solutions. Tomorrow they might say that the ATM machines will not operate during night in order to stop slide of the Rupee. Instead of touching the fundamental problems of infrastructure,education and healthcare, the Government is busy wasting money on all populistic measures. First it was NREGA which motivated people not to work, thus creating big problem for the industry and now with Food security bill they make people sit at home and get subsidized food. This way the whole country will become non-productive soon. Does Congess want country go back to 1960s and 1970s just because of their dirty vote bank politics? Such dangerous decisions will nothing but increase the unemployment, corruption and ultimately the tax burden on all those who are productive and efficient while rewarding all the inefficient ones. Earlier this Government is thrown out of power, its better for our country. Thanks to UPA for forcing India out of so called 'BRIC' nations, by doing all wrong things.This time is for mourning the death of our dream to take India to developed nations !! Do not get surprised if UPA comes to power again (which some how they will manage with religion and caste politics).Then we can certainly expect India to slide to 'under-developed'nation category from 'developing' nation status.When all other developing countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, Russia are doing all the right things to take their countries ahead, our government is putting all the brains and might to pull it backwards.
superbom4
Sep 3, 2013The Loss of mind is not correct but the main & Important aspect is the wasted interest. The simple reason is that the 5% ethanol mixing with Automobile Oils i.e. Diesel, Petrol ( and even 1% in carosin) will save at least 5% of our present expenditure.
But the Strong Lobby of the Babu's, Political Neta's & the strong lobby of the wasted Interest, does not permit the same even the decision was taken long back.
Just imagine the amount so to realize that National Interest is secondary to the Personal Interest.
SWISS black money & taxes there of will also save substantial amount at NICK of time which we needed badly.
Big talks are only to divert the public mind elsewhere.
Jitendra Amin
Sep 2, 2013Government can not ignore much avoided poor mass of the nation in favour of loudly speaking self centered persons like industrialists who think for their money making projects and expoiting public.Only poor people are extreme sufferers who has no voice.Rich persons should pay
more in favour of poor.Government policy is in right direction.
sunilkumar tejwani
Sep 2, 2013it's like treating ulcer with superficial surgery. the entire ministry of U P A government appears to be foolhardy. Be it P.C (lungi) , another lungi Veerappa Moily or the Pagdi (watching every scam with a hapless plastic smile) or the armchair economic adviser ( another pagdi) all are a living in a fool's paradise, sooner they are thrown out the better it will be for the country. A strongman from Saradar Vallabh bhai Patel's motherland is expected to do some thing good for the country. for the simple reason: this man means business. W ether recession or boom, the country needs to rid off corrupt and self serving politicians.
joe prakadan
Sep 2, 2013some steps recommended are:-
1. Put into effect an efficient public transportation system.
2. Educate and publicise advantages of use of mass transportation vehicles instead of smaller vehicles with a bit of co-ordination eg, use of buses instead of cars for marriages/ functions.
3. Use of shared/pooled vehicles by people working in same places/offices.
Arnav
Sep 4, 2013Mr Moily should shut his mouth from 8 pm to 8 am instead !