This refers to A K Bhattacharya’s column “The other side of reforms” (New Delhi Diary, October 17). Why has such an urgent need for reforms arisen all of a sudden? The answer is that all governments implement populist policies, and do not make serious efforts to increase revenue and cut wasteful expenditure. Through reforms – which are essentially corrective actions – fresh and renewed efforts can be made to put the economy back on track.
Why are there so many different views about how India should proceed with reforms? One can understand if the Left parties oppose the way in which the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is directing reforms, since they have an economic philosophy, right or wrong, of their own. But citizens know that economic philosophies of the National Democratic Alliance and the UPA are not so different that the Bharatiya Janata Party should oppose the UPA government’s reforms. Thus, all concerned citizens feel that our politicians should go beyond party politics and consider all necessary reforms that help reduce wasteful spending, even in the form of subsidies, and restore fiscal discipline at the earliest. This will truly be in the interest of the aam aadmi.
Narendra M Apte, Pune
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