The Hindu Business Line : Real inclusion

The editorial "Growth Imperatives" (Business Line, May 17) has correctly diagnosed the deficiencies and defects and has correctly concluded that farm revival can lead to inclusion that can be winning strategy for the nation. In his Budget speech while presenting Union Budget for 2007-08 the Finance Minister Mr P. Chidambaram has emphasised that growth of agriculture is fundamental to inclusive growth.

According to him "everything else can wait but not agriculture". But Dr M.S. Swaminathan's statement that "unfortunately, it appears that agriculture not having to wait is an idea whose time is yet to come," clearly brings out the present deplorable position of the farm sector.

Inclusiveness keeps figuring in all Plan papers and documents. But every step and every action in the direction of inclusive growth is half-hearted. The benefits, subsidies and supports meant for farmers do not reach them in full measure. A major portion gets evaporated by way of leakages and corruption and bribe costs further reduce the same. And inclusive banking is reduced to the ritual of mere opening of no-frills accounts.

Meaningful inclusion is achieved only when all account holders learn the banking habit, use bank services and get into the saving habit.

As rightly stated in the editorial, poor governance and lack of accountability at all levels in the Central and State government are major causes for the failure to achieve growth commensurate with spending and investments.

No doubt we have an honest Prime Minister. But he cannot provide accountable governance single-handed. For this we need inspired and honest leadership at all levels. Inclusiveness in respect of all areas of human activity is a vital requirement for growth with equity.

K. K. Ammannaya

Udupi

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