Why there is so much confusion when it comes to what policies India should follow?
Strangely when small countries are rushing ahead with development, we are still arguing about what policies to follow. Is it really so difficult a task? Is it not a matter of common sense? The problem is not in policy making but it is in intention. Whenever narrow mindset and selfish interest will come in way, making and following policies will become impossible task.
It is time to set basics right.
Policy making is a matter of setting priorities. Because of poor setting of priorities today we have such extremes of states of lack of development on one hand and promising state of development on other hand. This results in conflict of interests. Result is uneven and dis-harmonized society. This further makes it difficult to lay down policies.
Governance and policy making is all about addressing the needs of citizens and of the nation. Needs know no caste, color, religion, region. Just like hunger has no caste color or creed. Needs are needs. It is crucial to put maximum focus on education and healthcare to bring society to least possible gap in development. Untill this happens, nothing will ever succeed.
And what are the needs?
These are:
1. Need of security. Security from external or internal threats, crimes, accidents, natural disasters or man made disasters. Both individuals and nation must feel secure.
2. Need of basic living. People need basic things like food, water, clothing, shelter, basic education, basic healthcare and basic infrastructure.
3. Need of growth. People wish to grow so they need higher education, skill training, jobs, business opportunities, self employment etc. Research is must if growth is the need.
4. Need of justice. People need justice. Policies must be aimed to bring equality and do justice. Acts of injustice must be addressed in least possible time.
5. Need of respect. People need respect as individuals and as nationals.
3. Need for good life. Beyond basic life people need good life in terms of social life, recreation, better infrastructure, cultural development, sports, modernization etc.
The policy making is done on setting priorities right. And the priorities in correct order are:
1. Compatibility with principles of progressive humanity.
2. National interest
3. Welfare of least developed.
4. Higher development
The order must be followed. Even national interest should not override principles of humanity. Welfare of least developed must be more important than higher development.
If such order is followed without any compromise, any fear or any narrow minded selfish interest, the policy will always succeed in long run and will give nation an unshakable foundation to rise high along with real development of all citizens.
Second thing to be followed is how these policies are implemented for good governance. Following is the rule:
1. Talk less work more
2. Goal setting for short term, mid term and long term goals
3. Good planning based on sound assessment
4. Creating the system
5. Consistency in implementation
6. Feedback mechanism for making the system work and also for evaluation
Now put this to test.
Foreign Policy
It is in national interest to have good relations with all countries especially neighboring countries but not at the cost of self respect or self interest. So no one should be allowed to take even a centimeter of our land or do things against us.It is good to have talks which must bear results in time bound manner. Relations must be reciprocal. Those countries which are fair and friendly towards India must be given due importance. Protocols must be clearly defined and followed to avoid any kind of controversies.
National Security
Can there be ever any confusion on national security? Can there be any difference of opinion or argument on national security? People of India are ready to make any effort, any sacrifice for motherland. True that keeping humanity in mind, India has not and will not be aggressor but if anyone try to play mischief then there is just one answer - destroy the evil. We are friendly but not cowards. There is no scope of tolerance here.
Nuclear Policy
World is moving away from nuclear energy. We must learn why. There is huge potential of non nuclear and renewable energy sources. They must be explored as priority over nuclear energy. Still in limited extent it can be used with caution and never ever without complete safety and accountability regulations in place.
Economic Policy
The basis and purpose of economic policy must be self reliance. Cut down on corruption, luxury and wastage. Promote research, production and export. Invite FDI but only good investment in infrastructure and industrialization. Priority should be health and education. Taxation must be simplified to-
- Abolish direct taxes and all other taxes except following. With this more money will come to bank and will become part of white money circulation.
- Product tax as part of product cost to be deducted at source. Automatically those buying more will pay more. Products of essential nature and every day use to have less tax and tax can be increased slab wise on less essential and luxury goods. Natural products must remain tax free.
- Service tax for service industry that includes all non product business or transactions like airways, stock, advertising, stamp duty, etc.. Smaller business and professionals can have annual fixed amount and larger business in slabs.
- Wealth tax. This should apply to all movable and immovable assets. Family occupied house should be exempted.
- Custom tax
- Single annual Corporate tax for large scale business ( average of 2% of turnover and 10% of profit can be one such formula)
- Government must issue credit and debit card in association with some public sector bank. These credit and debit card should charge fixed one percent that should go to government as service tax. These being cheaper will replace all other credit and debit cards and will raise revenue for government.
Read Making India Prosperous
Social Policy
All citizens are equal and must get complete support to live a life that is fearless, self determined and with dignity. Education and life skill training is the main weapon that can destroy all obstacles in achieving this. It can take care of crimes including sexual crimes or honor killings, communalism, casteism etc. Reservation must be made optional and slowly inconsequential. Those eligible but still not opting for reservation must be supported to develop a respectful and successful life. They can set example of honorable life without reservation. Reward panchayats and villages that promote equality and education. Create a national communal harmony board that should have senior religious leaders to spread the message of communal harmony. Any individual or organization doing anything through words or deeds against communal harmony must be boycotted socially and should not get any appearance in media.
Similarly other policies can be defined. When India and welfare of people of India is in mind, there can not be two versions of policies.
Strangely when small countries are rushing ahead with development, we are still arguing about what policies to follow. Is it really so difficult a task? Is it not a matter of common sense? The problem is not in policy making but it is in intention. Whenever narrow mindset and selfish interest will come in way, making and following policies will become impossible task.
It is time to set basics right.
Policy making is a matter of setting priorities. Because of poor setting of priorities today we have such extremes of states of lack of development on one hand and promising state of development on other hand. This results in conflict of interests. Result is uneven and dis-harmonized society. This further makes it difficult to lay down policies.
Governance and policy making is all about addressing the needs of citizens and of the nation. Needs know no caste, color, religion, region. Just like hunger has no caste color or creed. Needs are needs. It is crucial to put maximum focus on education and healthcare to bring society to least possible gap in development. Untill this happens, nothing will ever succeed.
And what are the needs?
These are:
1. Need of security. Security from external or internal threats, crimes, accidents, natural disasters or man made disasters. Both individuals and nation must feel secure.
2. Need of basic living. People need basic things like food, water, clothing, shelter, basic education, basic healthcare and basic infrastructure.
3. Need of growth. People wish to grow so they need higher education, skill training, jobs, business opportunities, self employment etc. Research is must if growth is the need.
4. Need of justice. People need justice. Policies must be aimed to bring equality and do justice. Acts of injustice must be addressed in least possible time.
5. Need of respect. People need respect as individuals and as nationals.
3. Need for good life. Beyond basic life people need good life in terms of social life, recreation, better infrastructure, cultural development, sports, modernization etc.
The policy making is done on setting priorities right. And the priorities in correct order are:
1. Compatibility with principles of progressive humanity.
2. National interest
3. Welfare of least developed.
4. Higher development
The order must be followed. Even national interest should not override principles of humanity. Welfare of least developed must be more important than higher development.
If such order is followed without any compromise, any fear or any narrow minded selfish interest, the policy will always succeed in long run and will give nation an unshakable foundation to rise high along with real development of all citizens.
Second thing to be followed is how these policies are implemented for good governance. Following is the rule:
1. Talk less work more
2. Goal setting for short term, mid term and long term goals
3. Good planning based on sound assessment
4. Creating the system
5. Consistency in implementation
6. Feedback mechanism for making the system work and also for evaluation
Now put this to test.
Foreign Policy
It is in national interest to have good relations with all countries especially neighboring countries but not at the cost of self respect or self interest. So no one should be allowed to take even a centimeter of our land or do things against us.It is good to have talks which must bear results in time bound manner. Relations must be reciprocal. Those countries which are fair and friendly towards India must be given due importance. Protocols must be clearly defined and followed to avoid any kind of controversies.
National Security
Can there be ever any confusion on national security? Can there be any difference of opinion or argument on national security? People of India are ready to make any effort, any sacrifice for motherland. True that keeping humanity in mind, India has not and will not be aggressor but if anyone try to play mischief then there is just one answer - destroy the evil. We are friendly but not cowards. There is no scope of tolerance here.
Nuclear Policy
World is moving away from nuclear energy. We must learn why. There is huge potential of non nuclear and renewable energy sources. They must be explored as priority over nuclear energy. Still in limited extent it can be used with caution and never ever without complete safety and accountability regulations in place.
Economic Policy
The basis and purpose of economic policy must be self reliance. Cut down on corruption, luxury and wastage. Promote research, production and export. Invite FDI but only good investment in infrastructure and industrialization. Priority should be health and education. Taxation must be simplified to-
- Abolish direct taxes and all other taxes except following. With this more money will come to bank and will become part of white money circulation.
- Product tax as part of product cost to be deducted at source. Automatically those buying more will pay more. Products of essential nature and every day use to have less tax and tax can be increased slab wise on less essential and luxury goods. Natural products must remain tax free.
- Service tax for service industry that includes all non product business or transactions like airways, stock, advertising, stamp duty, etc.. Smaller business and professionals can have annual fixed amount and larger business in slabs.
- Wealth tax. This should apply to all movable and immovable assets. Family occupied house should be exempted.
- Custom tax
- Single annual Corporate tax for large scale business ( average of 2% of turnover and 10% of profit can be one such formula)
- Government must issue credit and debit card in association with some public sector bank. These credit and debit card should charge fixed one percent that should go to government as service tax. These being cheaper will replace all other credit and debit cards and will raise revenue for government.
Read Making India Prosperous
Social Policy
All citizens are equal and must get complete support to live a life that is fearless, self determined and with dignity. Education and life skill training is the main weapon that can destroy all obstacles in achieving this. It can take care of crimes including sexual crimes or honor killings, communalism, casteism etc. Reservation must be made optional and slowly inconsequential. Those eligible but still not opting for reservation must be supported to develop a respectful and successful life. They can set example of honorable life without reservation. Reward panchayats and villages that promote equality and education. Create a national communal harmony board that should have senior religious leaders to spread the message of communal harmony. Any individual or organization doing anything through words or deeds against communal harmony must be boycotted socially and should not get any appearance in media.
Similarly other policies can be defined. When India and welfare of people of India is in mind, there can not be two versions of policies.
