Preparing for Prime Minister Narendra Modi

[jayakris]

If there people who are competent in a particular subject, they can be made secrataries of that dept. who can advise the ministers.

Isn't that sad?

Why? That is how our system of government works. And so is how it does, in many countries. Jay

[arjun2761]

I think most secretaries are members of the bureaucracy (IAS etc.) who are rarely specialists in any area. So, the specialists advise the secretaries who in turn advise the ministers based on what they understand.

That said, what India is mostly lacking is competent and honest administrators (whether in the bureaucracy and among the politicians), so if someone is competent and relatively honest and can get things done with their clout that is far more impactful than any specialist credentials.

[jayakris]

Bingo, Arjun. Specialists and knowledge about what to do or how, have never been India's problem. Lack of a system that allows a minister with good intentions to truly get things done in his/her duties on the executive side of the government has been the number 1 problem (and the reason for that problem is also in the system on the executive side that takes away proper reward structures for fear of corruption etc, which automatically takes away accountability and responsibility also along with it).

Though "good intentions" may get you nowhere in our system with a poor executive branch (take a look at the Janata party rule in 1977-80 for an example), a capable minister can still do some things top-down, if he/she has a drive to do things. No experience or expertise in the area of the ministry is needed in the minister. I want a cut-throat fellow or woman who is out to do something, if for nothing else, to make himself/herself a stronger one in the party. That is the kind of reason why somebody like a Smriti Irani could be a great minister in any ministry, as she looks like a driven woman (I said "could be" there. only results will show if she has the drive)

[prashanthm]

A fantastic move...

Scientists, not ministers, to lead delegations abroad: Govt

All scientific delegations to foreign countries will now be led by eminent scientists and not by ministers, the Centre said on Saturday.

[Sin Hombre]

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/5hJx6h ... eaucr.html

[Varma]

An open letter to the PM from Rehan Poncha.

- Varma

[prasen9]

Jokers at work. In the land of Union Carbide and pollution everywhere, they think that business will self-regulate. This bullshit has been proven wrong all over the world. Growth by polluting

... the Ministry of Environment and Forests, which identified Vapi as an area so badly contaminated that any further industrial growth there was banned.

They finally got some good news in early June, about two weeks after Narendra Modi was sworn in as prime minister. The new officials at the ministry told them that the pollution index would be revised — and in the meantime, Vapi’s chemical and pesticide factories were again free to expand, and to snap at China’s share of the global chemical export market.

Well done, Mr. Modi. Let people die while business makes money. I guess we should expect nothing less. Mr. Modi wants to beat China wrt air and water pollution.

[Prem]

What a stunning result today in the Delhi elections for AAP.
Humiliating defeat for BJP and Modi.
Congress drew a blank....
For what Modi has done (not done) in last 8 months...this was sort of expected.
Hope it's a wake up call to fulfil the promises and forget divisive politics, personal attacks etc...deliver on the promises made, else the people will teach you a lesson.

[gbelday]

What did AAP do in their first 49 days in office? Nothing! I am not against them and I am hoping they'll make a difference this time (with the majority that they have).

And what were you expecting Modi's government to do so far that they haven't done? It's been only 8 months since he came to power. Give them more time. It's too early to be talking about this being a wake up call etc. Most of Modi's challenges are within his party and I hope he reigns them in.

[Prem]

AAP in 49 days must have done something good to now get a second chance with a sweep against a Modi wave....incredible to sweep against the wave which was so strong till now but the Jhadu swept the wave too...

Modi govt. - where is the black money, which was to be brought back in 100 days? Communal hatred is increasing by the day and PM is mum....is this Ache Din/Ram Rajya where atrocities on women are on rise, minorities feeling nervous, hate speeches etc. and PM is becoming a fashion icon wearing designed suits with his name in gold thread etc., doesn't trust some of his cabinet and promotes his favourites like Amit, HRD madamji etc. I too hope he brings Ache Din for ALL and not just for a select few and many of us are patiently waiting..............

[prasen9]

This is anecdotal, but, this is at least one data point about why people did not vote. Why not BJP?

Modi has done well to remove the fuel subsidies. That was started by the UPI and completed by Modi's government.

[Prem]

Modi has done well to remove the fuel subsidies. That was started by the UPI and completed by Modi's government.

Prasen - Good article explaining the many reasons whyyyyy...
Global fall in crude prices helped India take that call.....anyone in power would have done that with the decline in oil prices.
The fall has helped us in saving foreign exchange and keeping inflation down too....not sure any credit goes to Modi here

[prasen9]

Yes, the UPI would have done it. But, Modi did it. So, credit for that should be given. Even if you got lucky and got an unranked player as a WC, you still had to beat the player! It is also a good idea to look at fertilizer subsidies. I am not sure what the right solution is. Malawi has perhaps gained phenomenally from these subsidies, but, what is good in Malawi is not good in the U.S., which hands money over to farmers too. I don't know what is right in India, but, a serious review is needed.

[Omkara]

Indian democracy has its own contours.... Never a straight line analysis. Incrementally results are more decisive... Most visible here in Delhi but could be sensed since mayawati won UP. Indians favor clear majority as hung house impact their daily lives. Such is the magic that so many think so similarly at the same time.

Surprisingly BJP won more votes and higher vote share since 2013. 15% of population that voted to the congress moved towards aap while another 9% who voted for others last time voted for aap. This lead to vote share of aap going up from 30% to 54% while bjp moved from 31% to 32%. Congress down from 25% to 10 %, others down from 14% to 4%.

So for bjp 31% votes meant 28 seats while 32% votes meant 3 seats.
Ain't we awesome

[SaniaFan]

But at least AAP got 54% votes. Which means more than half of those who voted wanted AAP.
In case of central govt. BJP wins with just 33% vote. In other words 67% rejected them!! Isn't democracy awesome!!