Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh has alleged that economic growth in India has not increased and the farming sector is in deep crisis than ever before with increased suicides across the country. As the Narendra Modi government completes two years in office, the Rajya Sabha MP shares his candid views on the NDA government at the Centre. Edited excerpts:
The Modi government has just completed two years what is your assessment of their performance? Since 1985 this is first time one party has received a complete majority in parliament and very high expectations were created. These expectations have not been met. The performance of the present government, in spite of high expectations has not led to much change. Economic growth has not increased, employment has fallen, exports have fallen, the value of the rupee has declined and the farming sector is in deeper crises than before with increased suicides. Overall the past two years have been a disappointment.
Overall I would rank their performance as such: Marketing A; Performance C
Why was your party unsuccessful in the last elections? Why blame the BJP for perceptions, has your party learnt anything from the election loss?In spite of very successful economic growth and higher investment during UPA-2 from 2009-14, there was a widespread perception that characterised UPA-2 as suffering from policy paralysis and corruption. In politics perception can be more important that the facts.
We learnt that perceptions are more important than facts and that we can learn from the BJP on how to sell a dream.
What are the solutions to our current socio-economic problems? What about the banking crises we are facing? UPA 1 and 2 collected more taxes, spent more money, provided more jobs through MGNREGA and had higher allocations for health, education and rural development. We made larger investments in the backward areas. In 2011-12 the PPP of rural India was higher than in the urban areas. These are the types of solution we would continue to promote.
In the 1970s the private banks were nationalised and regulation saved the banking sector. Today we are seeing NPAs at almost 30 per cent. Much of this is due to the public sector banks outsourcing due diligence and lack of capacity and effort for collections.
Your state of Madhya Pradesh is in the throes of a severe drought. What do you consider the three biggest development challenges facing the state and which three policies would you prioritise? Madhya Pradesh as we know is a tribal state it is also dependent on agriculture. Tribal malnourishment continues to be a major issue. The diet of anaemic mothers is particularly important. I would prioritise the following policies:
1. Malnutrition
2. Skills for the youth to address unemployment
3. Greater attention to watershed management and the re charging of ground water.
BW Reporters
The author is Executive Editor of Public Policy at BW Businessworld
