NEO-LIBERAL REFORMS ON THE WANE

“Woods are lovely dark and deep
But I have promises to keep
And miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep”
-Robert Frost

Frost’s much quoted lines seemed to have lost its meaning as more and more leaders in more and more countries, most of them corrupt, cunning and wily continue to cherish those lines pregnant with sacredness and dignity. Our first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was a worshipper of those much acclaimed lines and he cherished them till he breathed his last. It is heard that, I don’t know for certain, he had scribbled those lines on a piece of paper and kept it under his pillow till the end of his life. Yes he had dreams, great and farsighted dreams about an India, a developed, prosperous, harmonious one keeping its rich democratic traditions and rich cultural heritage intact with equality of opportunity to all to grow up and develop.

He always yearned for peaceful co-existence with all countries, without interfering in their internal affairs. It is worthwhile to recall here that he was one among the three, two being Kemal Abdul Nasser, Egypt, Marshall Joseph Tito, Yugoslavia who had taken the initiative in founding Non-Alignment Movement.

This is not for eulogizing Nehru’s invaluable contributions to India and to the world as a whole about which much has been written.

When our incumbent Prime Minister Dr. ManMohan Singh who on the auspicious occasion of UPA 2 Government completing one year in office during a press-conference marvelled about the ‘innumerable’ achievements of his govt in a short span compared to his achievements during its first term was a total disappointment to 90% of the masses. About the remaining 10% which constitutes the corporate sector enjoys happy times as always. Blessed ones they are.

Recalling Robert Frost’s lines he made clear to the media that he had no plans to retire from his prestigious post till he completed the full term albeit with a clause that younger men are always welcome to take up the mantle obviously keeping the heir-apparent Rahul Gandhi in mind. But Rahul is shrewd enough to play it safe and therefore remains elusive from accepting any post in the Ministry. Our PM is quite sad over the reluctance of Rahulji to take up the mantle, and our Prime Minister cherishes many dreams of empowering India in every field.

If the global melt down of 2008 had only marginal effect in India as the Congress ‘messiahs’ continue to claim it was because of the regulated economy but frankly speaking it was only due to the arm-twisting by the Leftists who were a powerful force to reckon with in keeping the neo-liberal policies of the UPA 1 govt. in check. Unfortunately the ones who deserved credit had to leave bare-handed with the govt. of the day taking all credit. Because ManMohan Singh’s close confident still now he is a darling to PM though he had to be shifted to another ‘great responsible’ portfolio P.Chidambaram, the then Finance Minister was determined to go ahead with neo-liberal economic policies with much vigour. The regulated economy up till then would have been displaced by an unregulated one but the leftists remained his headache and an obstacle throughout. The Harvard educated gentleman’s rigid approach about which Congress Spokesman DigVijay Singh termed in a national daily as ‘intellectual arrogance’ which was however penned in another context. Free Market forces would have been let loose by the govt. of the day for ‘a quantum jump’ on the growth front. Eventually India would have been converted into another US of 2008.

After the Left-front withdrew power to UPA 1 govt. on the issue of Indo-US Civilian Nuclear deal, behind the curtain activities- horse-trading to be precise - was watched by everyone across the country, the spectacle of a Grand Old Party stooping to such low levels to keep itself in power was something detestable and deplorable.

By taking credit for all the good things the leftists had done for the welfare of the masses and due to the schisms in the left front itself, the Congress party could cobble together a majority without the support of the leftists who got reduced with 16 MPs in its kitty.

Almost virtual disablement of Left Front emboldened the UPA 2 govt. to proceed with their neo-liberal policies with renewed vigour and now we are witnessing its outcome in the country.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Programme embarked upon during the UPA 1 tenure is virtually in disarray with corruption, lack of proper supervision, middlemen pocketing huge sums meant for the uplift of unemployed youth virtually leaving the hapless in the lurch. Agriculture front totally neglected. The election promise of 25 kgms of rice for Rs.2 a month to the people at the lower rungs of the society is almost in a shambles. The differences over the RTI ( Right To Information Act) with a section of politicians and bureaucrats at loggerheads over its implementation still continue, FDIs on a massive scale even in the banking sector - on every front the govt. has turned out to be an abject failure.

Repeated fuel-price hikes, sky-high prices of essential commodities and food items all add fuel to the fire. Even organized protest march to Parliament by the opposition parties and one day Bharat Bandh couldn’t deter the govt. from going on with its agenda - in short it is drunk with power.

Good. After the global meltdown 2008 and as the world was about to breath easy, another catastrophe, this time from Greece- the Greek recession- which almost dragged the country to disaster with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreau dashing to the European countries, since Greece being a member of European community literally begging those countries to help Greece come out of the abyss with their help, Papandreau on a war-footing has been compelled to take some tough measures- austerity measures- to bring back the Greek economy to shape. Such as cutting wages of employees by 20% pension by 10% and raising the retirement age to 65 amidst violent protests across the nation. Following the Greek tragedy almost all European countries like Spain, Portugal, France, Germany to name a few are working round the clock concentrating on cutting massive budget-deficits by adopting austerity measures in the face of stiff resistance from the masses. Remember, all these consequences of neo-liberal economic reforms and these countries are paying for it dearly now. Pompous, lavish, glittering and greedy lives of a section of people have landed these countries in a pathetic situation. The bubble has once again burst affecting all other nations across the world. With a vanishing neo-liberal economy in sight our Prime Minister and his hench men still live in a make-believe world harping on the ‘plus points’ of neo-liberal reforms. Our PM’s ‘far-sightedness’ must surely be appreciated.