Modi Sarkar at work.

[Old-Spice2]

2014 election was path breaking in many ways. After 30 years India got a single party majority. IMO, single party rule is always better than coalition due to king size ego of various allies. UPA and previous NDA govt could not make lot of progress due to coalition parties.

With one party majority, I foresee good growth prospect and better life for people living in India. This thread is to keep track on various policy decisions, comments and articles on Modi govt. Please restrict your post to current Modi govt and related topics.

To start with:

Narendra Modi has turned India into a magnet: McKinsey CEO Dominic Barton

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/45276988.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

E-visa for 43 countries to be rolled out tomorrow

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/45287140.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Modi is country's first pro-business PM; economic growth may cross 10%: Prem Watsa, Fairfax CEO

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/45256039.cms?intenttarget=no&utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

[r2ikyon]

I will be tuned in for updates on this thread. I wish we could create our own score card for modi with issue and resolution status :)

i am am cautiously optimistic (cliched term) about him.
so many things he has on cards, swach bharath, gst, Ganga clean up, etc,

[Old-Spice2]

i am am cautiously optimistic (cliched term) about him.
so many things he has on cards, swach bharath, gst, Ganga clean up, etc,

Actually lot of things need to be done. Even something basic as govt workers coming to office on time was not enforced before. This guy is working on small items to big ticket stuff like bullet trains and smart city. We should be happy at least he is trying his best. Even if he is 50% successful we can expect big improvement in QoL in the country.

He is slowly turning govt into US style corporate structure - performance based promotion/bonus, removal of incompetent staff (like Sadanand Gowda). There was a discussion on NDTV. Current NDA govt lacks talent. He is banking on 80/20 rule - 20% of his ministers are expected to outperform and rest will just keep their seats warm. If this succeeds his govt will win 2019 election. Among the 20% are Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, Suresh Prabhu, Sushma and Ajit Doval.

First time I am seeing a govt that is fast moving in decision making and follow up. Even Jaitley admitted life was easy under ABV. All Ministers could go home at 6 pm but with Modi everyone is working till 9 pm. Already inflation has been brought under control.

I see interesting times ahead for India. People who graduate now will have bright future in the country. They will be able to ride the economic boom - just like when first wave happened in 2003 many who stayed back reaped the benefit in terms of RE appreciation and career growth.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu's path breaking ideas to bring loss-making Indian Railways back on track

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/45117142.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst


72 Percent Happy With Modi Government Work: Survey

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2014/11/25/72-Percent-Happy-With-Modi-Government-Work-Survey/article2540768.ece

[seeking]

[QUOTE]Actually lot of things need to be done. Even something basic as govt workers coming to office on time was not enforced before. This guy is working on small items to big ticket stuff like bullet trains and smart city. We should be happy at least he is trying his best. Even if he is 50% successful we can expect big improvement in QoL in the country.

Gives new meaning to the word "understatement". At the risk of bringin up an oft repeated topic, here is proof that Modi means business: the previous govt had no intention of getting a list of illegal bank accounts, let alone bringing black money back. One of the last acts of the UPA govt was to file a review petition in response to supreme court's directive to set up an SIT to unearth black money. Yet, it may never be possible to bring the case to successful closure due to the agreements that the UPA govt has signed with international crooks with vested interest such as the govts. of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. (Is there no way to tear up those agreements and renegotiate the terms?)

If public servants and ministers actually attending office and clearing files has to be seen as a great achievement, and this happens only when the PM pays close attention, does it not in itself speak volumes of the efficiency of the govt and bureaucracy? And what they got used to, and got away with up until now? And his critics want the new govt to show results within 6 months of taking over? Culture (work or social or other) takes years to form, a new party taking over the reins is not enough to undo those habits, especially bad ones. Bureaucrats and their whimsical ways are thoroughly entrenched in all government departments. Without their willing cooperation, change is not that easy to bring about. Modi knows this well. So, with the help of a few willing handymen, and lots of new rules and tools, he has got down to business. One such rule requires that all govt transactions with value over 100,000Rs have to be executed online (paper work and payment). Some people will yet find a way around any rule but those would be exceptions. Most others have to get used to being transparent.

If the bureaucrats and the ministers get the impression that they can get away with the least work and most benefit, that is how they will tend to operate. Unfortunately for them Modi works hard and makes them work, too. It is not merely a matter of putting in long hours. Modi has clear priorities. If congress doesn't think much of punctuality and cleanliness, so be it, their reputation and contribution to India is legion. They managed to win elections as long as nobody challenged them.

Modi won't be able to deliver on all that he promised, but merely making promises just to win elections is not his style. Ground realities and political compulsions may also keep him away from a strict "Hindutva" agenda. He is now focused on the highest priority, that is building infrastructure. He has experience of doing some of this in his own state. He is not just educated but also computer-savvy. He knows what he wants and how to find out what he needs to do to get it done, delegate and monitor performance. He is a facilitator.

What good was it that the best Indian economist, successful earlier in initiating reforms that led to 8% growth, acquiesced and thus promoted all manner of misrule and corruption in every sphere of the economy? The bureaucracy that participated in such misrule can't be expected to suddenly become efficient, capable, ethical and pro-business merely because there is a new party in power.

After decades of negligence, cronyism, secularism, Modi is not bad for a first hands-on prime minister? No?

[drb]

I will be tuned in for updates on this thread. I wish we could create our own score card for modi with issue and resolution status :)

i am am cautiously optimistic (cliched term) about him.
so many things he has on cards, swach bharath, gst, Ganga clean up, etc,

Not only for Modi, for any politician, a check list and periodic review should be done. If they are not up to standard, they should be sacked immediately - which I think in his own terms (performance based promotion/bonus, removal of incompetent staff) should be held accountable for him too.

With that, I am still optimistic, and expecting changes, but not 100% sure with some of his strategies. Hope I will live to see the result.

[Old-Spice2]

What good was it that the best Indian economist, successful earlier in initiating reforms that led to 8% growth, acquiesced and thus promoted all manner of misrule and corruption in every sphere of the economy? The bureaucracy that participated in such misrule can't be expected to suddenly become efficient, capable, ethical and pro-business merely because there is a new party in power.

After decades of negligence, cronyism, secularism, Modi is not bad for a first hands-on prime minister? No?

Good analysis. Everyone is disappointed there was no big-bang reform so far from Modi govt. In fact even I was disappointed and sometime feel India will never improve. I read an article about why there is no big-bang so far.

First if he brings in big-bang, say hire-n-fire labor policy, whole trade union and opposition will be on the street. He will be busy trying to pacify them instead of working. He is taking small step approach. One step at a time and within few years all the changes will be in place and there will be less protest.

He is running the country with the help of IAS officers. He is not dependent on his ministers except for strategic policies. He is also putting process in place so even after he leaves things will not go back to old times of endless chaai-samosa break. He is doing to the govt machinery what Seshan did to election process.

I want him to introduce the following - change law to fire govt workers not just suspension. Kick start the judicial system so cases are disposed off within a year or two. Amend law to remove anticipatory bail, no stay order once a court issues a judgement and no bail once you are convicted. You can appeal but stay in jail till appeal process is completed. I want Amma and Lallu to go back to jail :) This will go a long way in cleaning the corrupt practices than Lok Pal bill. There will be fear of law among the elected leaders. Downside is we will need many new jail buildings!

My other concern is how will Modi kick the Babus in State govt where NDA is not in power? After all development and implementation happens in the State. For this we really need Congress, TMC and AIADMK mukth Bharat at State level.

I see Modi as the last hope for economic development for the country. If he fails, then every one should try to emigrate like we were doing for the past 65+ years. I have little faith in the remaining riffraff.

[seeking]

Good analysis. Everyone is disappointed there was no big-bang reform so far from Modi govt. In fact even I was disappointed and sometime feel India will never improve...

First if he brings in big-bang, say hire-n-fire labor policy, whole trade union and opposition will be on the street. He will be busy trying to pacify them instead of working. He is taking small step approach. One step at a time and within few years all the changes will be in place and there will be less protest.

He is running the country with the help of IAS officers. He is not dependent on his ministers except for strategic policies. He is also putting process in place so even after he leaves things will not go back to old times of endless chaai-samosa break. He is doing to the govt machinery what Seshan did to election process.

Exactly. Where a staggering 300 - 400 miliion people, more than the population of US, 3/4th the population of Europe, go to bed every night (not all in warm and safe homes) either hungry or poorly fed, not knowing where the next meal will come from, because there is no job security, nor any other kind of security. In the face of such stark reality, it is heartless to introduce radical reforms too suddenly. Not only that will lead to much suffering, there aren't enough committed ranks to implement the reforms as intended. It is the middlemen that would benefit. So such reforms have to be gradual and indirect. JanDhan is a fine example of inducting masses into the formal economy. Alternative is to what Mao and Lenin have unleashed in the last century. Whether India's slow and steady, faltering doses of developmental policies are better than China's harsh and fast ones, this is not the forum for that debate. I would rather stay with namba NaMo for now.

I want him to introduce the following - change law to fire govt workers not just suspension. Kick start the judicial system so cases are disposed off within a year or two. Amend law to remove anticipatory bail, no stay order once a court issues a judgement and no bail once you are convicted. You can appeal but stay in jail till appeal process is completed. I want Amma and Lallu to go back to jail :) This will go a long way in cleaning the corrupt practices than Lok Pal bill. There will be fear of law among the elected leaders. Downside is we will need many new jail buildings!

That is not just BIG ticket, more like GIGANTIC reform. Essentially, it boils down to "who would bell the cat". In what can be termed as EOL (Equal Opportunity Looting) politicians of all parties have been caught with a hand or two in the till. It does not matter that they have occasionally jumped the bandwagon and joined the winning party (e.g. BJP). I can say with confidence and evidence that corruption is here to stay, it is everywhere to stay. Main issue is how to keep it from adversely affecting developmental activity and government functioning. Weeding out excessive corruption can't be achieved with passing laws alone. It is not for lack laws that the present crop of bureaucrats have lined their pockets, it is in spite of the laws. As long as the voting public is not mature enough to ask "so let us see your accounts since the last elections" not much will change. When they also take charge, e.g. by forcing the politicians to deliver on their promises ("how do you hope to do what you are promising?", "bring a progress report within 3 months, every 3 months") then the politicians will see the need to get the Babu's to act.

My other concern is how will Modi kick the Babus in State govt where NDA is not in power? After all development and implementation happens in the State. For this we really need Congress, TMC and AIADMK mukth Bharat at State level.

I see Modi as the last hope for economic development for the country. If he fails, then every one should try to emigrate like we were doing for the past 65+ years. I have little faith in the remaining riffraff.

I totally agree with you. Babu's in the states will not be pressured by anyone at the centre. Modi can only initiate "trickle down" policies, he can only get people involved in some token areas like Swachh Bharat and such. More aware (not necessarily educated, but that would be nice, too) electorate will begin to learn of the power of the vote, seeing progress in other states. E.g. neighbors of Gujarath are learning a few things, regardless of who rules the state.

My big disappointment is the likes of educated masses who still flock to a party like the CONgress (which is truly the opposite of PROgress) that has nothing short of bankrupted the country, in addition to itself being bankrupt of leadership. I am horrified that educated elite such as Cripple Sibal, ShaniKankar Suvvar, Pigvijay have sold their soul, will not mind selling their mothers for the sake of staying in power. How can we expect better from the semi- and illiterate masses? How can we fault them for selling their vote to those who promise them the moon and more?

And then there is this (real) sickness called (pseudo) secularism. When will the "members of that particular community" start to realize that they are being taken for a ride for over 60 years by the family? Every one of their, and India's, lingering problems, lies at the doorstep of the Nehru-Gandhi family! One day we could achieve many developmental, millennial and other lofty goals. Can we, somehow, just somehow, get rid of that disease and that family? If only Goddess granted me a wish, I will wish for...

oh, wait.. damn the family, my only wish would be that all my wishes must come true. And then I start with the family...:-))

[Old-Spice2]

Not only for Modi, for any politician, a check list and periodic review should be done. If they are not up to standard, they should be sacked immediately - which I think in his own terms (performance based promotion/bonus, removal of incompetent staff) should be held accountable for him too.

With that, I am still optimistic, and expecting changes, but not 100% sure with some of his strategies. Hope I will live to see the result.

I agree, one year progress report should be made mandatory for all PM, CM and Ministers. It should be published online and slackers dropped. They should achieve at least 50% pass rate. NaMo has said he will give progress report at the end of 5 years.

Don't worry you will live to see the result if you stick around for 20 more years. India is poised to become $10 T economy. For comparison US is at $15 T now.

India has an opportunity to build a US$10 trillion economy over two decades says PwC's latest report

http://press.pwc.com/GLOBAL/the-future-of-india/s/3de54e52-d24c-49b4-bd8d-7cc5705bd5e6

[drb]

I agree, one year progress report should be made mandatory for all PM, CM and Ministers. It should be published online and slackers dropped. They should achieve at least 50% pass rate. NaMo has said he will give progress report at the end of 5 years.

5 years? It sounds like another promise for upcoming election after his full term (PM has 5 years full term).
My questions are, if he can review his ministers and others every other day, why can't he be reviewed with the same rule? Fair is fair - right?

I prefer it like kid's term exams - periodic examinations are a must to monitor progress. Otherwise it will be too late. If he has done a poor job, then 5 years gone for India. I am surprised, he fails to see this basic logic.

50% pass? - I prefer to be A- at least because of the responsibility of the position. I think Indians have had enough of testing different politicians and finally end up with mud on their face (which they asked for in the beginning) - it should be get it right or quit.

And as you said, everything should be open records policy. No need for RTI etc. Put everything on the web and/or more accessible for public to access. :))

[seeking]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dileep-padgaonkar/india-modi-smiling-buddha_b_6272730.html