Fronts Decided, Decide Ministers
Posted : May 14, 2009 at 4:52 pm [IST]
All the news channels went on providing the analysis and discussing the possibilities of political formations that will rule the country throughout the whole of Wednesday. Channels vied with each other in bringing in as many political leaders, mostly spokesmen of various political formations as possible. Even some celebrities, editors, and writers were roped in to provide their views. I don’t know if they are paid for the participation. But at the end of all those long discussions, they left me and perhaps those who would have been watching them more confused and pained. What is the purpose of arranging all these shows? Does it serve any purpose or is it just for entertainment of a sort?
It is now known that there are three major political formations-NDA, UPA, and Third Front in fray for making the government. The exit polls of the channels and various agencies have given some thin edge to UPA over NDA. However, the presentations were made in a manner to ensure that none gets embarrassed on May 16 evening.
I wish they would have discussed the government formation too. The UPA and NDA have already named their prime ministers. Why should not the channels start proposing the right names of the ministers and the key priorities of the next government? I had been requesting Nitish Kumar in Bihar to induct some efficient outsiders from industry or other sectors as cabinet minister. When Congress at centre can appoint a prime minister from outside, why can’t it appoint some key ministers from outside? The country needs dynamic persons with proven track records to push the reforms in education at all levels, to speed up implementation of infrastructure projects, and to cover all the households below poverty line with free and quality healthcare facilities. The channels should also discuss the restructuring of the cabinet to suit present priorities of the country and effective implementation of the policies. If necessary, the channels can organize a national debate. Some ministries must get reserved for expert outsiders.
Who should be the education minister in the next cabinet that can free the sector and make it the best in the region or globally superior? Can the parties entrust Narayana Murthy or Sam Pitroda with the task? I am not including Premji as he is still indispensable for Wipro. All the three have some great vision about the education.
Among the infrastructure, the power ministry requires special attention. The country has never been able to meet the target agreed and lived with excuses plan after plan. I wonder if it can be anywhere near the target set for Eleventh Five Year plan. For a change, the country requires a non political efficient project implementer for the job. Will Sreedharan be the right candidate? Irrigation, roads, ports, and manufacturing sector too require similar thrust. It must be put under specialists and not politicians to make mess in it.
And the agriculture needs again a miracle man. Can someone like MS Swaminathan be given the charge? Healthcare ministry requires a real visionary. I propose Devi Shetty who have proven some business model to cover even very poor for an effective healthcare.
These names are just suggestions. I wish the country participate in telling the political parties the national priorities and that for key assignments in some ministries, while forming the next government they must nominate the best persons in the country even if they are from outside. Will the readers of this entry pass on this to their acquaintances for comments and participation in naming the priorities and the persons?
- Indra
Category: India's Infrastructure |
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