Letters: More lessons for Modi

With reference to A K Bhattacharya's column, "Two lessons after two years" (May 25) in the context of the Narendra Modi government, there are also lessons for the Prime Minister in the area of political management, social welfare, technology and external affairs.

While Modi has extended the influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to more states - the BJP is either in power or part of the ruling alliance in 14 states while the Congress holds fort in six or seven, mostly small, states - he should learn the art of persuading the Opposition to cooperate in the passage of economy-building legislation such as the Goods and Services Tax Bill and the Land Acquisition Bill.

Modi introduced a number of social welfare schemes for the poor such as the Jan-Dhan Yojana, distribution of free gas cylinders to the poor and crop insurance schemes for farmers. These are all work-in-progress programmes, which if executed well, are likely to yield handsome dividends for the BJP in the next Lok Sabha elections.

However, Modi needs to correct his assumption that he is running a corruption-free government. Bribes at the lower echelons of government are prevalent and affect the poor and the middle class the most.

Also, Modi should know that diatribe targeting minorities from the likes of Yogi Adityanath and Sakshi Maharaj go against his focus on development for all.

The Prime Minister's contribution to increasing the use of technology in running the government and fuelling the economy is substantial. However, his idea of Digital India is yet to gather momentum.

Modi's foreign jaunts have received a mixed response. He should realise that he has failed in the crucial area of influencing the US and China to rein in Pakistan over carrying out anti-India activities. Pakistan is still belligerent and continues receiving financial and political support against India.

Y G Chouksey, Pune

Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg

New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201 · E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number