Letters: Political will

Three streams of thought come to mind after reading T N Ninan’s incisive column “Limits of arbitrariness” (Weekend Ruminations, April 21). First, the effect of a nation’s economic power is mediated by its political will. P V Narasimha Rao, leading a minority government, showed enormous political courage in supporting the New Economic Policy in 1991. Atal Bihari Vajpayee carried out the Pokhran-II tests in defiance of global opinion and did not yield to the US pressure to stop the Kargil offensive until Pakistan withdrew its men. Manmohan Singh, in spite of India’s superior economic position now, looks gutless, buffeted by unmanageable coalition and ministerial partners. Two, in international trade, the credibility of a government is crucial. Retrospective legislation affecting business deals should be an anathema, revenue loss notwithstanding. Third, amending laws at will to the disadvantage of the citizens is a breach of psychological contract and is best avoided.

 

Y G Chouksey Pune

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