UP's perception pangs

The adage “perception is harder than reality” seems to be dawning on the Akhilesh Yadav government. With the regime set to complete six months next month, there is precious little investment on the ground to enhance the achievements of its youthful chief minister. Senior bureaucrats, however, are less inclined to be critical. The state’s consistent poor record in engaging with industry in a transparent and simple manner, says one of them, has played a part in keeping big investors away this time as well, despite the ruling party’s strong business links.