India’s oldest Socialist Weekly!
Editor: Dr. G.G. Parikh | Associate Editor: Neeraj Jain | Managing Editor: Guddi
Tributes to Singh as a person are well-deserved, but the focus needs to be on his contributions to the nation’s journey. As an economist, he knew of the adverse impact of the paradigm shift he set in motion in 1991. It is an important reason why the Right has become such a dominant force in Indian politics and society.
Nehru emerged from the national movement which had worked to unite all Indians. The leadership appealed to the higher instincts of people to work towards a common goal of living in harmony and progress…. In brief, Nehru’s era was transformative in spite of the enormous difficulties that existed. It paved the path to the nation having 224 times more capital today compared to 1950.
To tackle the black economy, the government has tried steps like Foreign Money Bill, Income Declaration Scheme and demonetization. These and other such steps have failed because of the growing illegality fueled by a Triad between the corrupt businessmen, politicians and the executive.
Who gets how much is a result of the system, education, opportunities, and so on. Many of the rich people have become rich through cronyism, cutting corners, and bending rules.
Unorganized sector of which agriculture is an important part employs 94% of the work force but contributes 45% to the GDP. Thus, incomes here are very low compared to the organized sector where 6% of the workers work and produce 55% of the output.
GST has been in operation since July 1, 2017. It was billed as the second freedom since it was supposed to unify the `fragmented’ Indian market. In the six years that have elapsed, has it fulfilled the promises that its proponents had vociferously claimed for it.
The ease of doing business has not come about and investment rates have not increased. An alternatively simpler GST exists but the government is not willing to admit its failure. Further, while the benefits have not accrued to the country, fiscal federalism has been dented.
The SC appointed Expert Committee on the Adani-Hindenburg issue hides behind a technicality to conclude that there was no regulatory failure. Behind the façade of democracy and functioning of the democratic institutions, illegality is being selectively allowed to consolidate the ruling party’s power – financial, social, and political.
This marginalization of the rural economy is a result of the policymakers’ focus being on the organized part. No wonder the agriculture sector which provides the most important item of consumption — food — has been marginalized.
Now, concessional grain being given would no longer be available and the poor will be forced to buy 64% of their foodgrain requirement from the market at a high price.
Janata Weekly is India’s oldest independent socialist weekly.
Ever since its founding in 1946, Janata has voiced its principled dissent against all conduct and practice that is detrimental to the cherished values of nationalism, democracy, secularism and socialism, while upholding the integrity and the ethical norms of healthy journalism. For more than seventy years now, week after week, it has continued to analyse the changes taking place in the country and the world from a socialist standpoint, and thus promote the spread of socialist ideology in the country.
Address: D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, Mumbai- 400007.