Manmohan Singh should get a sense of where the members of the House stand on the latest reforms to reinforce the political legitimacy for further reforms.
T
he Congress-led United Progressive Alliance should seriously consider convening a special session of Parliament to discuss its recent decisions to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, hike the price of diesel and cap the number of subsidised LPG cylinders that a household would be entitled to. This could be a ‘Sense of the House’ type of a resolution similar to the one that Parliament passed to persuade Anna Hazare to end his fast for immediate enactment of a Lokpal Bill. There is merit in the Government seeking a specific endorsement of its recent controversial decisions, as a vote of confidence, in any case, becomes inevitable if the Trinamool Congress chief, Mamata Banerjee, formally withdraws support to the ruling alliance, which would willy-nilly force the Government to prove that it enjoys a majority in the Lok Sabha. All the more reason, then, for Manmohan Singh himself to take the initiative and go for a vote.
There may be those who argue that the Cabinet approvals providing for FDI in multi-brand retail or diesel price hike were purely executive decisions entailing no legislative amendments and, hence, did not require any parliamentary sanction. But that is a narrow technical interpretation of issues, which, rightly or wrongly, have assumed strong political overtones. And since the President, Pranab Mukherjee, had, as Finance Minister, given an assurance in both Houses last December, at least in the case of FDI in multi-brand retail, that a final decision would be taken after consultations with various stakeholders including political parties, subjecting it to a specific endorsement by members of Parliament is all the more fair. With the Congress alone commanding 206 members in the Lok Sabha, cobbling up the remaining numbers to reach the half-way mark of 272 shouldn’t be difficult. After all, Manmohan Singh survived the 2008 vote of confidence arising from the Indo-US nuclear deal, with the Congress having just 145 members.
A debate in Parliament can, in fact, be an opportunity for the Government to project FDI in retail, for one, as a pro-farmer measure and show the opposition to it coming primarily from entrenched market intermediaries that stand to lose if firms source produce directly from farmers’ fields. The fact that the current middlemen-controlled marketing arrangements are benefiting neither producers nor consumers is an argument that is amenable enough to forceful presentation. By setting the agenda on these terms, the Government could well turn the tables on the Opposition. A decisive debate is necessary now also for the reason that it is the only way to break the current political gridlock. This Government has to show it has the political legitimacy to govern, without which one cannot really expect progress in other crucial reform areas in the months to come.
Keywords: Manmohan Singh, MPs views on latest reforms, to reinforce the political legitimacy for further reforms
Comments:
NDA especially BJP should allow the Congress to hold the special session of Parliament
and participate in the discussion.Democracy demands willingness to hear and to give to
logical conclusions to be benefit of the poorest of the poor.India has over 280 million such
unfortunate people.A change over from subsidy raj to margin free raj may be bitter at first
look,but may be beneficial to down trodden under a social security cover of pay for
work.The restriction of LPG cylinders to 6-12 in an year will affect the middle income
group,as the lower strata still bear with coal,logs and fencing shrubs.FDI in multi brand
retailing concerns upper middle and rich as they only can afford such retail markets.Indian
villages are already deserted by high tech markets as villagers struggle for basic
foods,minimum cloth and space to live.If drinking water and electric light are made
available,the human happiness index will sour to newer heights.
Business Line stands apart in making a mature response to the hasty Thursday gimmicks of a shaking UPA. Between reforms and ensuring continuance of democratic processes, PM and FM should have opted for the later. Reforms are getting delayed and there cannot be two views on the need for reforms especially in the financial sector. Having said that, it is also necessary for the prime minister to resist temptation to be overconfident in the company of rich elite and leaders of the developed world.
The present MPs will, sooner than later, have to go back to the people. In such a situation, it is in self-interest that at least a semblance of respect is shown to legislative processes. The passing of bills without any deliberation, executive action preceding legislative sanction (introduction of New Pension Scheme in 2004 when the supporting legislation is still before parliament is a classic example) and notifications preceding PM’s address to people are all impairing credibility of UPA.
Permitting FDI in retail or in other sectors is not the main issue as it is made out to be. Citizens want a rational and long term policy with regard to prices of diesel, petrol kerosene and LPG. Crude price is unlikely to fall in international markets. In the light of this fact Citizens are unable to understand why our major political parties are not ready to agree to put in place right policy about fixation of prices of petroleum products. Such a policy would have also to consider the case for specific duties and taxes instead of taxes calculated as percentage of some value. Are the Members pf Parliament of BJP and left parties not aware of the fact that rising crude oil imports are affecting our balance of trade and balance pf payments? Depreciated Rupee is another worry. Is it possible for our economy to bear the cost of unlimited imports of crude? It is time we citizens get answers to these questions.
THe problem in seeking the DFI discussion in parliament is, the regional parties who are having vested interest will necer approve it and other srates like maharashtra who wants this FDI cannot wait for eternitiy to the whims of mamata banerjee to get statisfaction at her own level... Its does not need parliamentry nod .. and we should not set wrong precedances .. we waitired too long .. there is no need to wait longer.. If any state does not agree with the growth prospect it has .. you do not bring it in your state.. but you cannot stop others..
This BIMARU states of Bengal, Bihar UP etc cannot hold progress of other states in the name of poor unless they have some better alternatives to get rid of poverty.. as we have seen till date they are just cheering poverty without offering any solutions to it... only one solution to get rid of poverty is to generate more and more jobs.. thats what these policies will result into..
Unearned revenue due to various scams, wastage of food grains, Bad governance, Run-away subsidies, senseless MNREGA have ALL resulted in raising prices and inflation.Dr Singh would not say it.
As senior citizen living on income from savings, I can not forget the fact of mind boggling loss
of revenue because of Himalayan scale of corruption. While accepting the the case made out
by the PM.
Had there been no corruption on this scale, surely country would not be in such dire straits.
Some time earlier the Cong-I leaders were enthusiastically stating that
laws cannot be made in streets, and all good things upholding the
supremacy of the parliament and the democratic ideals and values. Where
have they gone now?
Please Email the Editor