gÉÉŌ A.]ÉŌ. xÉÉxÉÉ

03.08.2010
They are what kind of administrative measures being taken to strengthen the
Public Distribution System in the country to make them more targeted and
accessible to the poor? What kinds of monetary and Money supply policies are
being taken to curb the demand side inflation and finally on the issue of
measurement of inflation via WPI versus CPI?
There are issues related to petroleum price rise and how it has a cascading
effect on the prices and indeed on inflation.
There are then the blame game on State versus Central Government
responsibilities on the whole range of interventions as outlined earlier.
The question therefore is whether we as Policy Makers have failed to
change the way we approach these issues over the years? Have we done enough?
The answer seems to be in the negative.
I would therefore reason out that we need to bring in such measures that
will change the whole discourse into a more meaningful and action oriented one in
the years ahead. Let us see that we come and discuss other more pressing issues.
There are two immediate answers to my mind. One is that now we need to
find or create a dynamic poverty index, measurable and which is there upfront like
the GDP figures. The Government would be looking at these numbers year in and
year out. This will bring focus. Our country has one of the largest populations of
people below the poverty line by whatever measure. This means that we need to
do so much more and need to target reduction through proper implementation of
our policies and programs. We do not have a feel for this on a day to day, month
to month or year to year basis because we do not have a number or an index. Why
cannot be create one? In the case of our economy the GDP figure is constantly
telling us whether our policies and programs are working or not. Course
correction is quick and meaningful. Why should we not have the same for poverty?
The second issue is that we must target the supply side vehemently. Now
we learn the Government is thinking of 10 percent growth in Agriculture. This is
really good news. This will have a multiplier effect. I think just the thought is
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