05-10-2006, 04:27 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Title: Sonia's red signal
Author: Editorial
Publication: Free Press Journal
Date: May 9, 2006
http://www.samachar.com/features/090506-editorial.html
Is it intervention or is it interference? <b>Sonia Gandhiâs letter to the Prime Minister that he could not rush free trade policies with Indiaâs Asian neighbours is an extraordinary document. </b>She has proved that the suspicions expressed about her exerting pressure on the government from the wings are true after all.
The UPA governmentâs free trade policy has been widely discussed in the cabinet and the party. In fact, free trade agreements exist with most SAARC countries. The Prime Minister has indicated that he would sign such a treaty even with Pakistan at the right time.
Among the ASEAN group of countries, India has already signed free trade agreements with both Singapore and Thailand. Other ASEAN countries are awaiting such free trade pacts. After all this, Sonia Gandhi writes to the Prime Minister that he should âvery carefully scrutinise: the proposal to enter into free trade agreements with ASEAN countries.
<b>The primary impropriety of the letter lies in the fact that she has made the letter public. Which is an affront to the dignity of the office of the Prime Minister. It has only one meaning. She is going on record to tell the country who the real boss is. </b>
One has no doubt that the Congress party would have discussed free trade policies of the government at length. At such discussions, Sonia Gandhi would have presided. Why has she been keeping mum on all such occasions? She should have made her mind clear at such meetings. Which is the right forum to iron out policy differencesand evolve a consensus.
Was Sonia Gandhi playing to the gallery while electioneering in Rae Bareli? Perhaps the message may be relevant to the farmers of West Bengal too. Or was she re-stating the policy of Aam Admi? But the method she adopted for such a re statement is questionable which deals a body blow to the prestige of the head of government. Or was she second-guessing the leftists who are supporting the government?
No such vocal objection has emanated from the left groups supporting the government. Even if the leftists did raise objections, the way to tackle them is not by embarrassing the Prime Minister. Did the opposition make an issue of it during the election campaign to attack Sonia Gandhi? Hardly. That the farmers are passing through a parlous state is known to all policy makers.
By and large, the causes that have led to the pathetic situation on the farm front have been analysed. Remedies are being proposed and farm policies are recast. <b>Unless moneylenders are eliminated from the rural areas who charge exorbitant rates of interest (75 to 100 per cent) and loans at concessional rates are extended to the farmers, the revival of the farm front is going to be difficult.</b>
Pricing, procurement policies, supply of seed, water and fertilizer too have to be looked into. States like Maharashtra have made a beginning in this direction. Punjab and other major agricultural states deserve immediate attention.
<b>Instead, to blame the dismal scene on the farm front on free trade does not show an adequate understanding of economics. </b>Washing dirty linen in public by the party chief can do a lot harm to the government and the party. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Author: Editorial
Publication: Free Press Journal
Date: May 9, 2006
http://www.samachar.com/features/090506-editorial.html
Is it intervention or is it interference? <b>Sonia Gandhiâs letter to the Prime Minister that he could not rush free trade policies with Indiaâs Asian neighbours is an extraordinary document. </b>She has proved that the suspicions expressed about her exerting pressure on the government from the wings are true after all.
The UPA governmentâs free trade policy has been widely discussed in the cabinet and the party. In fact, free trade agreements exist with most SAARC countries. The Prime Minister has indicated that he would sign such a treaty even with Pakistan at the right time.
Among the ASEAN group of countries, India has already signed free trade agreements with both Singapore and Thailand. Other ASEAN countries are awaiting such free trade pacts. After all this, Sonia Gandhi writes to the Prime Minister that he should âvery carefully scrutinise: the proposal to enter into free trade agreements with ASEAN countries.
<b>The primary impropriety of the letter lies in the fact that she has made the letter public. Which is an affront to the dignity of the office of the Prime Minister. It has only one meaning. She is going on record to tell the country who the real boss is. </b>
One has no doubt that the Congress party would have discussed free trade policies of the government at length. At such discussions, Sonia Gandhi would have presided. Why has she been keeping mum on all such occasions? She should have made her mind clear at such meetings. Which is the right forum to iron out policy differencesand evolve a consensus.
Was Sonia Gandhi playing to the gallery while electioneering in Rae Bareli? Perhaps the message may be relevant to the farmers of West Bengal too. Or was she re-stating the policy of Aam Admi? But the method she adopted for such a re statement is questionable which deals a body blow to the prestige of the head of government. Or was she second-guessing the leftists who are supporting the government?
No such vocal objection has emanated from the left groups supporting the government. Even if the leftists did raise objections, the way to tackle them is not by embarrassing the Prime Minister. Did the opposition make an issue of it during the election campaign to attack Sonia Gandhi? Hardly. That the farmers are passing through a parlous state is known to all policy makers.
By and large, the causes that have led to the pathetic situation on the farm front have been analysed. Remedies are being proposed and farm policies are recast. <b>Unless moneylenders are eliminated from the rural areas who charge exorbitant rates of interest (75 to 100 per cent) and loans at concessional rates are extended to the farmers, the revival of the farm front is going to be difficult.</b>
Pricing, procurement policies, supply of seed, water and fertilizer too have to be looked into. States like Maharashtra have made a beginning in this direction. Punjab and other major agricultural states deserve immediate attention.
<b>Instead, to blame the dismal scene on the farm front on free trade does not show an adequate understanding of economics. </b>Washing dirty linen in public by the party chief can do a lot harm to the government and the party. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->