The Hindu Business Line : Left in a huff

THIS piece is not about the merits or otherwise of formal induction of personnel of foreign agencies and consultancy organisations as members of the review committees of the Planning Commission. I have already argued against it in extenso (Business Line, September 14) and rested my case.

What I am most perturbed about is the way seasoned and worldly-wise persons of the likes of Dr Manmohan Singh, Mr Kamal Nath, Mr P. Chidambaram and Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia create problems for themselves by puzzling acts of omission and commission. All of them know that, whether they like it or not, the willing support of the sizeable Left contingent in the Lok Sabha is crucial for not only the smooth running of the Government but also its very survival. They also know the susceptibilities and aversions, right or wrong, inherent in the Left parties' approach to various political, social and economic issues and matters pertaining to international agencies.

In any case, their support, although from outside, entitles them to prior information and consultation on the more important and sensitive policies and decisions of the Government. This is not simply a question of respecting their right in this regard; it is also one of extending minimum courtesy and consideration to partners who have, in fact, climbed down quite a bit from their ideological high ground on economic policies and external relations in order to make a success of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government. Hence, one would have thought that not rubbing them on the wrong side would be the paramount concern of the Government.

But, no! The Left parties were nowhere in the picture when Mr P. Chidambaram, jacked up FDI limits in the insurance, telecom and aviation sectors in his Budget and, subsequently, chose to be a mute witness to the reduction in the interest rate on Employee Provident Fund, and Mr Kamal Nath went ahead and announced India's trade policy containing some provisions unpalatable to the Left.

And, now, Dr Ahluwalia stirs up a totally needless controversy by inducting foreign consultants as members of the committees of the Planning Commission. It may well be that the Government expects the Left only to hiss and not to strike, swallowing its pride and putting up with any provocation just to keep the BJP out. This will be a terrible miscalculation for which it will pay a heavy price.