The Hindu Business Line : A search for `feel good' in CMP

ABOUT 6,000 words, including 250 or so `will's, 110 `UPA's, 90 `government's, half a dozen of `launch' and `policy' and no `shining' or `feel good'. This, in short, is the Common Minimum Programme of the new Government. Offered as the first output of the ruling coalition after a good deal of waiting and debating, there is enough interest among people to know what's what. So, a quick help.

Why minimum, why not maximum?

We are used to promises of the moon while delivery is of zilch. Aim for the elephant and at least end up with a few hairs from its tail, is what we are exhorted to do. Yet, to say minimum and achieve maximum of it is better than to do the opposite. Remember what happened when we were told about things `shining' and `feeling good'? However, even the United Progressive Alliance is not able to resist the temptation, so it says: "This CMP is the foundation for another CMP — collective maximum performance."

I said `minimum common programme' and they're staring at me. Why?

That would be MCP, if you abbreviate. Something that stands for Microsoft Certified Professional, Multi-Chip Package or Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, though women are known to scold chauvinistic males thus.

Does CMP have any nice phrases to remember?

There're many. Here's a sampler: Parties are irrevocably committed to the daily well-being of the common man across the country. It wants to empower women politically, educationally, economically and legally.

Another aim is to unleash the creative energies of our entrepreneurs, businessmen, scientists, engineers and all other professionals and productive forces of society.

Any difference between being responsible and responsive?

It looks like you have been reading and re-reading UPA's "solemn pledge to the people of our country." Apart from providing us with "a government that is corruption-free, transparent and accountable at all times," CMP hopes "to provide an administration that is responsible and responsive at all times." Responsible is just another way of saying accountable, answerable, liable and so on, to mean they are not going to be irresponsible. Responsive means they would answer or reply, and be open to suggestions or appeals. Hope you'd be responsible enough not to call up the PMO to check if Singh sahib is responsive.

On economic reforms, what's the new thinking?

UPA "will be oriented primarily to spreading and deepening rural prosperity, to significantly improving the quality of public systems and delivery of public services to bring about a visible and tangible difference in the quality of life of ordinary citizens." Not too new actually, because some of these phrases can be seen in face cream ads too.

I have been trying to draw the human face of reforms. Please help!

Now, how do I send you a photo of Manmohan?

SayCheek@TheHindu.co.in