Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks after laying the foundation stone for a new highway at Kaithal in Haryana yesterday.
Agencies/New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday sought suggestions from the public to help re-fashion the Soviet-inspired central Planning Commission that supporters say is in line with a new, open style of governance.
Since he took over in May, Modi has promised to cut red tape, fight corruption and make India easier to do business in to get the economy moving after years of slowing growth.
Last week, he announced plans to replace the Planning Commission, a lingering vestige of India’s early attempt to mimic the Soviet command economy, with a modern institution to reflect a shift to a market-based economy where the states were the main drivers of growth rather than a central body.
“We envision the proposed institution as one that caters to the aspirations of 21st century India and strengthens participation of the states,” Modi said in a Twitter post, inviting public participation in the rebuilding of the body.
He said people could post their comments on the shape of the new institution on a portal he has launched to share ideas on issues of national importance.
The decision to involve the public is the latest of Modi’s efforts to break down governance structures that Indians see as failing them.
He has chosen to communicate to people via Twitter and Facebook, shunning mainstream media. He has asked bureaucrats to approach him directly with their ideas, bypassing government protocols.
Modi says his measures are meant to improve the performance of a broken government. But his critics contend there is no sign of real change in the first 80 days of the new administration and that the shift so far has been only in style.
Modi won a landslide victory in general elections on a promise to revive economic growth that has fallen below 5% and control runaway prices.
So far, there have been little signs of more serious, big-bang reforms required for breaking out from a cycle of low growth and high inflation.
Later yesterday Modi said the government would take tough steps against corruption which has entered every sphere of life in the country.
“Corruption has become such a dangerous disease in the country. It is worse than even cancer and can destroy the country. The country is not willing to tolerate evils (like corruption) for long,” Modi said.
He was addressing a rally in Kaithal, Haryana, after laying the foundation stone of a national highway linking Haryana with Rajasthan.
“Do you want a corruption-free country or not? Should strong steps not be taken to remove corruption? We will take those steps,” Modi said.
Referring to those who criticised him for not mentioning corruption in his first Independence Day address, Modi said: “Some people said I did not say anything about corruption in my address on Independence Day. Let me remind them, I had talked about the ‘Mera kya’ and ‘Mujhe kya’ culture of corruption which has ruined this country. This has to change now.”
Warning those indulging in corruption, the prime minister said the earlier attitude of paying bribes and getting away with poor quality work will not be tolerated.
“The culture of contractors using anything and putting up a black top on roads and the same getting washed away in the first rains will not work... Getting away after paying bribes will have to be checked.”
He said people had become more aware and wanted to get the best infrastructure.
He said development was the only way to take the country forward and create jobs. “Development alone can resolve a lot of our problems.”
