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This is with reference to infrastructure targets in the context of the Sasan project issue, which is now reportedly coming up before a Group of Ministers (GoM). Sasan is a black spot on the planners' decision-making capacity. What should have been dealt with at the level of a PSU board or the Secretary of the Power Ministry was tossed to the Finance Ministry, then to the Attorney-General, thrice to the Law Ministry and now to the GoM, with the prospect of being dragged into a prolonged legal quagmire. Eventually, the tax-payer — not the minister or the civil servants concerned — will bear the legal expenses and the unquantifiable cost of a delayed project.

Of what use is planning for an outlay of Rs 1,45,000 crore on infrastructure projects, or of introducing ratings for infrastructure projects and of setting up a common appraisal committee for all the PPP projects and management institutes rushing to cash in on the current infrastructure fever by starting `infrastructure management courses' when the basic element of quick and transparent decision making is missing.

Such inordinate delays create needless apprehensions on integrity in decision-making. While any error of judgment in deciding on a particular bid or selecting a project provider can be understood, people will not condone indecisions, as is evidenced by the Sasan imbroglio. In the process, the nation's administrative system has been exposed to ridicule before multi-national project providers.

S. Subramanyan

Mumbai

Letters to the editor and contributions can be sent by e-mail to: bleditor@thehindu.co.in

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