Letter: UPA's ability

The edit “At the highest levels” (June 4) rightly diagnoses the changes the UPA government must bring about to revive the economy. Let us see whether it has the wherewithal to implement them. To depoliticise economic decision-making, we need a PM who is politically astute and an FM who is a knowledgeable modern economist. We have just the opposite. The Cabinet has to be restructured to place competent, not loyal, ministers in key economic portfolios. As regards to revitalising the Cabinet committee of economic affairs, the PM will have to involve himself more proactively and assert his authority. Finally, for engaging states, the government needs negotiators with persuasive communication skills and a reputation for objectivity. The UPA has none, barring perhaps Pranab Mukherjee.

Y G Chouksey Pune

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