Wednesday, October 10, 2007

3 most important challenges facing the nation

3 Most Important Challenges for the country –

1. Inclusive Growth – Urban Rural Divide
India’s GDP is growing at close to 9% and is expected to reach 10%. India overtook Japan this year in number of billionaires, with 36 billionaires worth a total $191 billion while Japan's 24 billionaires were worth $64 billion. This is good news!! But please also note that 77% of our population (836 million people) lives at less than Rs. 20 per day, mostly in rural India. Benefits of growth and prosperity are not reaching the rural India.
Majority of our rural population is dependent on agriculture for its livelihood, however share of agriculture in India’s GDP has declined from 59% in 1950-51 to 20% in 2005-2006. Agriculture can no longer provide sustainable livelihood for our rural population.

SOLUTIONS –
We need to provide non-agricultural jobs in rural areas. Local skills based self employment in cottage industries should be encouraged through PPP. Micro Finance has been a major success in many parts.Agricultural productivity should be improved and more land should be brought under cultivation by implementing irrigation projects urgently. Farmer must get fair price for his produce through Input Cost based Procurement Price (ICPP) in place of current MSP. Easy credit facilities and crop insurance schemes should be effectively administered. Honest & efficient implementation of various rural welfare & employment generation schemes. 74th amendment should be implemented in its true spirit.

2. Essential Public Services for the Poor - Education & Health

Educated & Healthy population is a prerequisite to sustain high growth rate of any economy. Given our high economic growth rate, with share of services and industry in our GDP reaching 80%, we have a historic opportunity to provide gainful employment and respectable livelihood to each of our employable adult.
Unfortunately, majority of our population is UNEMPLOYABLE, because they are not suitably educated and lack required skills.
70% of our population is rural, dependent on agriculture. Education will provide them with an alternate means of employment. Sadly education is accorded a low priority in rural India due to the need for helping hands with daily chores of agriculture. Lack of infrastructure and poor quality of teachers has compounded the problem.
Efficient implementation of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan & Mid Day Meal Scheme with effective monitoring using DISE (District Information System for Education) should improve the situation.
Quality and affordable health care for poor should be made a national priority. We spend just 1.2% of our GDP on health care. Our Public Health System is inefficient and has lost its credibility. This is in urgent need of revival and resurrection. Our poor can not afford private healthcare. Subsidized Universal Health Insurance for poor should be accorded high priority.

3. Infrastructure is Essential for Virtuous Growth Cycle – PPP is the way to go

Rapid economic growth must be an essential part of our national strategy since it is only in a rapidly growing economy that we can expect to raise the incomes of the masses sufficiently to bring about a general improvement in living conditions. With sustained economic growth rate of 8-9% and population growing at 1.5% per year, the real income of the average Indian would double in ten years.
Infrastructure has become a major constrain and is threatening to impede our economic growth. The matter has acquired extreme urgency and calls for a substantial increase in the allocation of public resources for infrastructure sector. However, public resources alone may not be sufficient.
The private sector has a critical role to play in achieving the objective of faster and more inclusive growth. This sector accounts for 70% of the total investment in the economy. Given the huge investment requirement in infrastructure sector, private participation is critical and must be encouraged.
Government should device appropriate policy framework, dispute resolution mechanisms and MCAs (Model Concession Agreements) which would encourage private investment in infrastructure. Success of private participation in Telecom and National Highways should strengthen the case for a mutually beneficial Public Private Partnership Model in infrastructure.

21 comments:

  1. Cannot but agree on these 3 important challenges and am sure that there are more lining up (water, energy, road etc.). But you should mention the biggest curse today, which is preventing even 20% of the resources seeing the light of the day. The most important reason we all believe in this new "Lead India" initiative is the innate trust we have in new age leaders from your clan who can root out corruption.
    - Anuj

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  2. Totally agree. I believe corruption is manifestation of poor governance. Tackling the governance with fear of law would help in combating the corruption.

    Misra

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with Mr. Valmiki, in that the biggest curse on India today is corruption.

    Young urban people in India may decide not to vote because they think the political system is hopeless.

    Young rural people may vote for the usual criminals because they are thinking that only a criminal can be successful in a parliament full of bigger thugs and criminals.

    The corruption is so endemic, and we're confronted with it at every street corner. Everyone complains about the traffic behaviour in Bangalore, and the solution is at every street corner wearing a uniform. Yet the police continue to take bribes instead of handing out real fines. When even life-threatening behaviour like Bangalore's call-center drivers is overlooked by the responsible parties at every turn (in favor of a few rupees by the officer's own pocket) then what hope is there for real reform.

    So, a follow-up question for you, Misra: Does governance reform start at the top or the bottom? And how?

    I believe this is THE most important challenge facing India, and it's not on your top-3 list.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Our Govt machinery or "system" works on the following salient points:
    1. Job for life.
    2. No transparency and accountability - at least not for the public.
    3. You get paid whether you do your work or not.

    Being from the corporate sector, you understand more than anyone else, that this "system" is bound for failure anywhere on this planet, i.e. it is not india centric, because you can see many private sector outfits (in India) running efficiently, while maintaining social responsibility.

    This virus, allows the politicians, industrialists and mafia to misuse the Govt to get them to do their bidding - and the public is just a piggy bank for their dubious schemes.

    Due to this virus, today the Govt delivery mechanism is completely broken. The bucket has massive holes, that drains whatever is poured into it and little to nothing reaches the intended recipients.

    Little wonder that India's social indices are comparable to countries in sub-sahara region, despite massive allocations year after year.

    Times LeadIndia allocation is 100 lacs for 8 top leaders..which is 0.0125% of the Govt allocation of 64000 crores in the social sector alone.

    Do you have any ideas on how to fight this "virus" that has infected our institutions such that almost nothing gets done despite crores of allocation?

    Why is it that we even expect the Govt to delivery anything, given that the "root of the problem" is intact and not being discussed leave alone getting addressed.

    Pls answer to the point and not in generalizations like "if we all fight we can win this battle" etc, because we (citizens) have pretty much no forum to fight on. And pls don't tell me that the situation is "not that bad" - I live in Pune; and the municipality can't even build proper pavements (just one example), when pavements and roads built by ancient Indians / Romans are still intact, today.

    Will look forward to your ideas and comments.

    PS: I am not trying to put you on the spot, just want to know what ideas you have to deal with this menace.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Our Govt machinery or "system" works on the following salient points:
    1. Job for life.
    2. No transparency and accountability - at least not for the public.
    3. You get paid whether you do your work or not.

    Being from the corporate sector, you understand more than anyone else, that this "system" is bound for failure anywhere on this planet, i.e. it is not india centric, because you can see many private sector outfits (in India) running efficiently, while maintaining social responsibility.

    This virus, allows the politicians, industrialists and mafia to misuse the Govt to get them to do their bidding - and the public is just a piggy bank for their dubious schemes.

    Due to this virus, today the Govt delivery mechanism is completely broken. The bucket has massive holes, that drains whatever is poured into it and little to nothing reaches the intended recipients.

    Little wonder that India's social indices are comparable to countries in sub-sahara region, despite massive allocations year after year.

    Times LeadIndia allocation is 100 lacs for 8 top leaders..which is 0.0125% of the Govt allocation of 64000 crores in the social sector alone.

    Do you have any ideas on how to fight this "virus" that has infected our institutions such that almost nothing gets done despite crores of allocation?

    Why is it that we even expect the Govt to delivery anything, given that the "root of the problem" is intact and not being discussed leave alone getting addressed.

    Pls answer to the point and not in generalizations like "if we all fight we can win this battle" etc, because we (citizens) have pretty much no forum to fight on. And pls don't tell me that the situation is "not that bad" - I live in Pune; and the municipality can't even build proper pavements (just one example), when pavements and roads built by ancient Indians / Romans are still intact, today.

    Will look forward to your ideas and comments.

    PS: I am not trying to put you on the spot, just want to know what ideas you have to deal with this menace.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Our Govt machinery or "system" works on the following salient points:
    1. Job for life.
    2. No transparency and accountability - at least not for the public.
    3. You get paid whether you do your work or not.

    Being from the corporate sector, you understand more than anyone else, that this "system" is bound for failure anywhere on this planet, i.e. it is not india centric, because you can see many private sector outfits (in India) running efficiently, while maintaining social responsibility.

    This virus, allows the politicians, industrialists and mafia to misuse the Govt to get them to do their bidding - and the public is just a piggy bank for their dubious schemes.

    Due to this virus, today the Govt delivery mechanism is completely broken. The bucket has massive holes, that drains whatever is poured into it and little to nothing reaches the intended recipients.

    Little wonder that India's social indices are comparable to countries in sub-sahara region, despite massive allocations year after year.

    Times LeadIndia allocation is 100 lacs for 8 top leaders..which is 0.0125% of the Govt allocation of 64000 crores in the social sector alone.

    Do you have any ideas on how to fight this "virus" that has infected our institutions such that almost nothing gets done despite crores of allocation?

    Why is it that we even expect the Govt to delivery anything, given that the "root of the problem" is intact and not being discussed leave alone getting addressed.

    Pls answer to the point and not in generalizations like "if we all fight we can win this battle" etc, because we (citizens) have pretty much no forum to fight on. And pls don't tell me that the situation is "not that bad" - I live in Pune; and the municipality can't even build proper pavements (just one example), when pavements and roads built by ancient Indians / Romans are still intact, today.

    Will look forward to your ideas and comments.

    PS: I am not trying to put you on the spot, just want to know what ideas you have to deal with this menace.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Our Govt machinery or "system" works on the following salient points:
    1. Job for life.
    2. No transparency and accountability - at least not for the public.
    3. You get paid whether you do your work or not.

    Being from the corporate sector, you understand more than anyone else, that this "system" is bound for failure anywhere on this planet, i.e. it is not india centric, because you can see many private sector outfits (in India) running efficiently, while maintaining social responsibility.

    This virus, allows the politicians, industrialists and mafia to misuse the Govt to get them to do their bidding - and the public is just a piggy bank for their dubious schemes.

    Due to this virus, today the Govt delivery mechanism is completely broken. The bucket has massive holes, that drains whatever is poured into it and little to nothing reaches the intended recipients.

    Little wonder that India's social indices are comparable to countries in sub-sahara region, despite massive allocations year after year.

    Times LeadIndia allocation is 100 lacs for 8 top leaders..which is 0.0125% of the Govt allocation of 64000 crores in the social sector alone.

    Do you have any ideas on how to fight this "virus" that has infected our institutions such that almost nothing gets done despite crores of allocation?

    Why is it that we even expect the Govt to delivery anything, given that the "root of the problem" is intact and not being discussed leave alone getting addressed.

    Pls answer to the point and not in generalizations like "if we all fight we can win this battle" etc, because we (citizens) have pretty much no forum to fight on. And pls don't tell me that the situation is "not that bad" - I live in Pune; and the municipality can't even build proper pavements (just one example), when pavements and roads built by ancient Indians / Romans are still intact, today.

    Will look forward to your ideas and comments.

    PS: I am not trying to put you on the spot, just want to know what ideas you have to deal with this menace.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hai sir. Good bit of informaation and happy to know you got a firm determination. keep in touch.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have agreed on 3 points water, energy, & roads. But additional problem is shelter to literate people in metros like mumbai and calcutta. Apart from this point what about the terrorism, curruption, destroying of nature.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mr misra , i agre with u ,first we have to change the system ,most of the politions and civil servents are corrupted and first we can this , autometiccally we find changes in sosity

    sivram

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Rajendra ji,

    Firstly I'm in London
    Secondly, great I received your email
    Thirdly, I will be honoured to help in creating an organisation to change India's forgotten humans.
    We need to start a brand new organisation ie India's Humanity Restoration Org and advertise for donations only from Asian/Indian people from all over the globe and make good use of the money. The so called government and politicians should keep well out of the picture!
    Just an idea, Neela Misra

    ReplyDelete
  12. First- Education
    Second-Medical-
    Third-Corruption
    Fourth-Umemployment

    ReplyDelete
  13. None of the countries in the world has been able to tackle any of the challenges mentioned. When one is partially met, the other and new ones crops up. Most rich gulf countries, cannot live peacefully, due to terrorism. Some of them being boomranged on them, others being revenge for opression. Lead India will have many heads to be rectified, other than the three mentioned by Anuj. Well.. we wont' see solution in this two years. But India will succeed.

    Ramanandan

    ReplyDelete
  14. All that is said is not a reflection of the government but that of the society. Every body in the government are from the society which does not tolerate the poor and anythig progressive. It is the society that comes in the way of poor getting opportunities to survive and thinks only 5000 years backwards. We dont see any body talking of planning for good initiatives say next 10 years. Hence government baiting is bad since all the rot set in even before the government origined. We are not bothered about others, this apathy expresses in government and all private enterprises also. Corruption is all pervasive in indian society in all walks of life. singling out the government sector for corruption is a case of partial amnesia.

    ReplyDelete
  15. In today's india every one seems to be very serious only about himself and almost noone think about our beloved country. first of all we should improve our view towards our country

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yes! Here I am agree that corruption and bribery are manifestation of the bad governance and a sense of insecurity among the people.But it is really great conecern that sometimes oppositin political parties parties mislead the marginal people and utilise their emotions in their benefit.Example, Ganga Express High Way. do not find the reason to oppose it.There should be a proper body to assess and estimate enviornmental degradation or any loss, and if that says OK, then there must not be the problem.

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  17. Hello Mr Mishra,

    Nice to know about you.
    Going through your profile, I remembered my school & college days.
    Myself is also an Engineer,done BE from Delhi College of Engg. & MBA from IGNOU.Myself is a self-made person & struggled a lot in my life.

    Presently I am working at the post of DyGM in Delhi Public Undertaking.

    Wish you all the Best wishes in all your endeuaers

    Kiran Saini

    ReplyDelete
  18. It is definitely a very difficult task to lead a country where one billion people live and many of them lead a sub-standard life.It must have a integrated approach to address the problems which cause hinderance to the growth & prosperity of a nation.i.e poulation explosion,illiteracy,unemployment,corruption,valueless education,unhealthy competetion,castism,low performance of judiciary,corrupted religions and so many.

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  19. Dear Mr.Kiran,
    It is good to know about you as well.Me too a self made and yet I am struggling, and I take it as a part of life.I see very much experiences in and about the system, how corruption has been deeply rooted.Very difficult to do a legal and valid work in a legal way, but doing illegal way has been a trend.Example if one go to do a genuine work in any of the departments, unless he pays something down the table he would not be able to get his work done on time, so it can rightly be stated that legal work illegal ways and illegal work in legal ways. Despite all India is shining...............

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  20. HI.. I totally agree with you on the second point. Most of the people are unemployed because they lack the skills.. More vocational training institutes must be set up..It is the responsibility of the government. You can see the from childhood some kids are made to work in their parents businesses. This way they are just confined to that.

    Work from home

    ReplyDelete

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