GKA LIBRARY – Page 3 – Gopal Krishna Agarwal

पानी पर आम आदमी के हक़ पर नहीं हो कोई दुविधा

February 22, 2022

पानी से पेट तो नहीं भरता, लकिन इसके अलावा बिना आप पृथ्वी क्या किसी भी ग्रह पर जीवन की कल्पना भी नहीं कर सकते। जीवन का कोई भी ज्ञात स्वरूप जल के बिना अस्तित्व में नहीं रह सकता। हमारे अस्तित्व से लेकर प्रगति तक के लिए बेहद जरूरी इस संसाधन के महत्त्व को समझते हुए हमें यह भी देखना होगा कि इसका प्रबंधन कैसे हो, यह हर व्यक्ति तक कैसे पहुंचे और साथ ही इस पर मालिकाना हक किसका हो। इस समय भारत में पानी पर अधिकार को अदालतों के विभिन्न निर्णयों के माध्यम से ही तय किया जा रहा है। देश की शीर्ष अदालतों ने कई बार दोहराया है कि संविधान के अनुच्छेद- 21 के तहत जीवन के अधिकार के रूप में सरकार को देश के सभी नागरिकों को पीने का पानी उपलब्ध कराया जाना चाहिए। यह वाकई महत्त्वपूर्ण है। अब तक सरकार ने पानी के प्रबंधन और वितरण की राह दिखाने के लिए तीन राष्ट्रीय जल नीतियां बनाई हैं। पानी का उपयोग खेती से लेकर कारोबारी गतिविधियों और रिहायशी इलाकों तक किया जाता है। हालाकि ये सभी क्षेत्र एक दूसरे के साथ मुकाबला करते हैं, लेकिन व्यक्तिगत और घरेलू उपयोग के लिए पानी की उपलब्धता एक मानव अधिकार है।

भारत के शहरों में पानी की उपलब्धता मानव अधिकार के लिहाज से भी एक बड़ी चुनौती है। साथ ही यह तेजी से हो रहे शहरीकरण के साथ बुनियादी सेवाओं में गुणवत्ता तलाश रहे नागरिकों की अधीरता का कारण भी है। 2019 तक केवल दो करोड़ घरों में पानी के लिए नल के कनेक्शन थे। अब लगभग 9 करोड़ घरों में नल के पानी की उपलब्धता हो गई है। बेशक, केवल नल से पानी का स्रोत होना अच्छी गुणवत्ता या पर्याप्त मात्रा में पानी की कोई गारंटी नहीं है, फिर भी हर घर जल की योजना बहुत महत्त्वपूर्ण है। जहां पानी की पहुंच ही नहीं है, वहां स्वच्छता की उम्मीद नहीं की जा सकती है। इसलिए पानी के क्षेत्र में काम करने वालों के साथ ही स्वास्थ्य क्षेत्र के लिए भी जरूरी है कि लोगों तक पानी की बुनियादी पहुंच सुनिश्चित करने को सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता दी जाए।

हालांकि भारत के संविधान में पानी के अधिकार को स्पष्ट रूप से संरक्षित नहीं किया गया है, लेकिन अदालतों की ओर से इसकी व्याख्या की गई है कि जीवन के अधिकार में पर्याप्त पानी का अधिकार शामिल है। भारत में जल के अधिकार के लिए न्यायिक दृष्टिकोण स्पष्ट है। इसका मूल भाव है कि गरीब से गरीब व्यक्ति को जीवन की बुनियादी सुविधा के लिए जल प्रदान किया जाए । स्वच्छ पेयजल तक पहुंच का संवैधानिक अधिकार भोजन के अधिकार, स्वच्छ पर्यावरण के अधिकार और स्वास्थ्य के अधिकार से जोड़ा जा सकता है। ये सभी संविधान के अनुच्छेद 21 के तहत जीवन के अधिकार के अंतर्गत संरक्षित हैं। संविधान के अनुच्छेद 21 के अलावा, राज्य के नीति निर्देशक सिद्धांतों में भी समुदाय के भौतिक संसाधनों पर समाज के सभी वर्गों के लिए समान पहुंच के सिद्धांत को मान्यता दी गई है।

भारत में भूजल के अधिकार को भूमि के अधिकार के साथ जोड़ कर देखा जाता है। भारतीय सुगमता अधिनियम, 1882, भूजल के स्वामित्व को भूमि के स्वामित्व से जोड़ता है। इस कानून की परिभाषा यह भी बताती है कि यदि आपका पड़ोसी बहुत अधिक पानी निकालता है और जल स्तर को कम करता है, तो आपको उसे ऐसा करने से रोकने का अधिकार है। इस प्रकार, भूजल के दोहन के किसी व्यक्ति के अधिकार की भी सीमाएं हैं। अंतरराष्ट्रीय परिदृश्य में देखें तो 28 जुलाई 2010 को संयुक्त राष्ट्र महासभा ने स्पष्ट रूप से पानी और स्वच्छता प्रदान करने के मानव अधिकार को मान्यता दी है। साथ ही स्वीकार किया है कि स्वच्छ पेयजल और स्वच्छता का अधिकार मानवाधिकारों की प्राप्ति के लिए आवश्यक हैं।

नई परिस्थितियों में पानी से जुड़े अधिकारों और कानूनों का दायरा काफी व्यापक है। भारतीय न्यायपालिका ने इस लिहाज से सकारात्मक दृष्टिकोण भी अपनाया है, जो अंतरराष्ट्रीय मानदंडों और मानकों के अनुकूल ही है। भारतीय संविधान की समीक्षा करने वाले राष्ट्रीय आयोग ने अपनी रिपोर्ट में पानी के अधिकार संबंधी स्थिति में संवैधानिक प्रावधान के माध्यम से स्पष्टता लाने की जरूरत बताई है। इसके लिए सुरक्षित पेयजल के अधिकार के रूप में एक नए अधिकार को शामिल करने की सिफारिश भी इसने की है। राष्ट्रीय जल कानून 2016 सही दिशा में एक कदम था, लेकिन दुर्भाग्य से यह संसद में पास नहीं हो पाया। पानी के प्रावधान के लिए विभिन्न सरकारों और संस्थाओं के अधिकारों-कर्तव्यों को स्पष्ट रूप से दे रखने वाला कानून समय की आवश्यकता है।

यह सुनिश्चित करना आवश्यक है कि हर व्यक्ति तक आसानी से पानी पहुंच सके|

गोपाल कृष्ण अग्रवाल अध्यक्ष, जलाधिकार फाउंडेशन

युथिका अग्रवाल सहायक प्रोफेसर, अर्थशास्त्र, दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय

त्योहारी सीजन में खरीदारी के लिए दोगुने ग्राहक तैयार, ऑनलाइन शॉपिंग और डिजिटल भुगतान पर सभी का जोर

October 1, 2021

गोपालकृष्ण अग्रवाल,

आर्थिक विषज्ञ

लोकल सर्किल के एक सर्वे में कहा गया है कि मई के महीने में केवल 30 फीसदी उपभोक्ता त्योहारी सीजन में खऱीदारी की योजना बना रहे थे, जबकि सितंबर महीने में 60 फीसदी उपभोक्ताओं ने कहा कि वे आने वाले त्योहारी सीजन में घरेलू उपभोग के लिए खरीदारी करेंगे। इस प्रकार खरीदारी के लिए तैयार उपभोक्ताओं की संख्या में 100 फीसदी का सुधार आया है…

अर्थव्यवस्था के मोर्चे पर एक और अच्छी खबर है। मई महीने की तुलना में दोगुने ग्राहक आगामी त्योहारी सीजन में खरीदारी करने के लिए तैयार हैं। मई में केवल 30 फीसदी ग्राहक ही खरीदारी करने की योजना बना रहे थे, जबकि सितंबर महीने में यह आंकड़ा दोगुना बढ़कर 60 फीसदी हो गया है। कुल खरीदारी में बड़ा हिस्सा ऑनलाइन बाजार के हिस्से जाने वाला है तो दुकानों की रिटेल खरीद को कुल खरीद का लगभग 48 फीसदी हिस्सा मिलने वाला है। सामानों की खरीद में स्मार्टफोन, इलेक्ट्रॉनिक्स और त्योहारी सीजन के उपहार सबसे ऊपर रहने वाले हैं। आर्थिक विशेषज्ञ इसे अर्थव्यवस्था के सुधरते संकेत के रूप में देख रहे हैं।

लोकल सर्किल के एक सर्वे में कहा गया है कि मई के महीने में केवल 30 फीसदी उपभोक्ता त्योहारी सीजन में खऱीदारी की योजना बना रहे थे, जबकि सितंबर महीने में 60 फीसदी उपभोक्ताओं ने कहा कि वे आने वाले त्योहारी सीजन में घरेलू उपभोग के लिए खरीदारी करेंगे। इस प्रकार खरीदारी के लिए तैयार उपभोक्ताओं की संख्या में 100 फीसदी का सुधार आया है।

खरीदारी के लिए तैयार कुल उपभोक्ताओं में आधे से कुछ ज्यादा 52 फीसदी ने कहा कि वे यह खरीदारी ऑनलाइन बाजार से करेंगे, जबकि 48 फीसदी उपभोक्ता बाजार में जाकर चीजें पसंदकर खऱीदारी करने की तैयारी कर रहे हैं। खरीदारी करने वाले उपभोक्ताओं में 55 फीसदी ने कहा कि वे स्मार्टफोन या कोई इलेक्ट्रॉनिक सामान खरीदने की योजना बना रहे हैं तो 67 फीसदी उपभोक्ताओं ने कहा कि वे कपड़े और फैशन से जुड़े उत्पाद खरीदेंगे।

दीपावली के सीजन में दिए जाने वाले उपहारों के कारण ड्राइफ्रूट या मिठाइयों की खरीद में भी उछाल आएगा। लगभग 72 फीसदी उपभोक्ता ड्राईफ्रूट, चॉकलेट या मिठाइयां खरीदने की तैयारी कर रहे हैं। 48 फीसदी उपभोक्ताओं ने कहा कि वे अपने प्रियजनों के लिए ऑनलाइन सामान खरीदेंगे तो 42 फीसदी उपभोक्ता अपने आसपास की दुकानों से उपहारों की खरीद करेंगे।

दो-तिहाई डिजिटल पेमेंट

ऑनलाइन खरीदारी और डिजिटल पेमेंट अब सामान्य ट्रेंड बनने की ओर तेजी से बढ़ रहा है। लगभग 66 फीसदी उपभक्ताओं ने कहा है कि वे खरीद के लिए ऑनलाइन माध्यम या डिजिटल माध्यम से भुगतान करेंगे। यह सर्वे देश के 396 जिलों में 1.15 लाख उपभोक्ताओं और 38 हजार घरों में लोगों से बातचीत कर तैयार किया गया है। इसमें 67 फीसदी पुरुष और 37 फीसदी महिलाएं शामिल थीं।

हर मानक दिखा रहे अर्थव्यवस्था में तेजी

आर्थिक विशेषज्ञ और भाजपा के राष्ट्रीय प्रवक्ता गोपाल कृष्ण अग्रवाल ने अमर उजाला से कहा कि अर्थव्यवस्था के हर बड़े मानक सुधार का संकेत दे रहे हैं। अर्थव्यवस्था के अग्रिम सेक्टर के उद्योगों में 11.2 फीसदी की रिकॉर्ड वृद्धि दर्ज की गई है। मैन्युफैक्चरिंग सेक्टर में भी वृद्धि हो रही है। केंद्र का जीएसटी कलेक्शन हर महीने एक लाख करोड़ रुपये से ज्यादा दर्ज किया जा रहा है। 81 फीसदी कामकाजी श्रमिकों का वेतन कोरोना पूर्व काल की स्थिति में आ गया है। बजटीय घाटा लगातार कम हो रहा है। ये संकेत बता रहे हैं कि अर्थव्यवस्था बेहतर स्थिति में आ रही है।

भाजपा नेता ने कहा कि अब तक खुदरा सामानों की बिक्री, मांग में कमी और रोजगार के मोर्चे पर अपेक्षित सुधार न होना चिंता का कारण बना हुआ था। लेकिन केंद्र और राज्य सरकारों ने अपने कर्मचारियों के महंगाई भत्ते में बढ़ोतरी की है और निर्माण कार्यों में तेजी आने से रोजगार के अवसरों में वृद्धि हो रही है। इससे शहरी क्षेत्र के उपभोक्ताओं की खरीद क्षमता में सुधार आया है।

वहीं, कृषि उत्पादों के निर्यात में बढ़ोतरी और फसलों की खरीद से किसानों के हाथ में पैसा पहुंचा है। केंद्र सरकार के द्वारा चलाई जा रही जनकल्याणकारी योजनाओं से भी ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में लोगों की आर्थिक क्षमता सुधरी है। इन सब प्रयासों का सकारात्मक परिणाम देखने को मिल रहा है कि लोगों की खरीद क्षमता में सुधार आ रहा है और बाजार में मांग में बढ़ोतरी हो रही है। उन्होंने कहा कि आगे आने वाले दिनों में यह गति बनी रहने की उम्मीद है।

भरोसेमंद नहीं आंकड़े

दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय के राजधानी कॉलेज में अर्थव्यवस्था के प्रोफेसर डॉ. आभास कुमार ने अमर उजाला से कहा कि इन आंकड़ों पर बहुत भरोसा नहीं किया जा सकता। तकनीकी जानकारी न रखने वाला व्यक्ति भी बाजार में निकलकर देख सकता है कि लोगों के कामकाज में अपेक्षित वृद्धि नहीं हुई है और दुकानों में खरीद अभी कोरोना पूर्व के काल में नहीं आया है। ऐसे में अर्थव्यवस्था के बहुत तेज सुधार के दावे सही नहीं लगते।

प्रो. आभास कुमार के अनुसार, ज्यादातर मानकों के मामले में सरकार कोरोना काल से आज के आंकड़ों की तुलना कर अर्थव्यवस्था के बेहतर होने की बात कह रही है जो भ्रामक सूचना है। कोरोना काल में देश की अर्थव्यवस्था एक तिहाई कामकाज के भरोसे चल रही थी। दो तिहाई कामकाज पूरी तरह से ठप था और अर्थव्यवस्था में रिकॉर्ड गिरावट हुई थी। इसलिए उस स्थिति से तुलना कर आज बेहतरी का दावा करना उचित नहीं है।

हालांकि, यह सही है कि केंद्र-राज्य सरकारों ने अपने-अपने कर्मचारियों के महंगाई भत्ते जारी किए हैं, इससे इनकी खरीद क्षमता बढ़ी है और ये आने वाले त्योहारी सीजन में खरीदारी कर बाजार को एक गति देने का काम कर सकते हैं। लेकिन पूरे देश की आबादी में बेहद सीमित हिस्सा रखने वाला सरकारी नौकरी पेशा वर्ग इतनी बड़ी क्षमता नहीं रखता, जिससे उसके आधार पर पूरे देश की अर्थव्यवस्था में सुधार आने का दावा किया जा सके।

बाजार के कामकाज में सुधार तो हुआ है लेकिन अभी भी यह 50-60 फीसदी तक ही वापस आया है। बेरोजगारी अभी भी चिंताजनक स्तर पर बनी हुई है और हर चीजों की कीमतों में लगातार हो रही वृद्धि आम उपभोक्ताओं की कमर तोड़ रही है। ऐसे में अर्थव्यवस्था ठीक हो गई है और लोगों की क्रय क्षमता वापस आ गई है, इस मनोवैज्ञानिक स्तर तक पहुंचने के लिए अभी इंतजार करना होगा।

(ये लेखक के अपने विचार हैं)

सामाजिक कल्याण योजनाओं का लाभ प्राप्त करना लाभार्थियों के लिए होगा आसान

August 24, 2021

गोपाल कृष्ण अग्रवाल,

देश के प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने हाल ही में ई-रुपी वाउचर लान्च किया है। इस अवसर पर उन्होंने कहा, ‘यह सरकारी वितरण के लक्षित, पारदर्शी और रिसाव मुक्त वितरण में मदद करेगा। ई-रुपी इस बात का प्रतीक है कि लोगों के जीवन को प्रौद्योगिकी से जोड़कर भारत कैसे प्रगति कर रहा है।’ वर्ष 2014 में जब नरेंद्र मोदी सत्ता में आए तो उनके समक्ष सरकारी वितरण तंत्र में बड़े पैमाने पर होने वाले रिसाव को रोकने की चुनौती थी। सरकार की सामाजिक कल्याण योजनाओं का समुचित लाभ उनके योग्य लाभार्थियों तक सुगमता से नहीं पहुंच पा रही थी।

लिहाजा सामाजिक कल्याण लाभ के लिए वितरण तंत्र को सुव्यवस्थित करने की उन्होंने व्यवस्था की, ताकि भ्रष्टाचार और अन्य रिसावों को रोका जा सके। उन्होंने प्रत्यक्ष लाभ हस्तांतरण (डीबीटी) की ऐतिहासिक पहल करते हुए बैंकों में सभी देशवासियों के जन-धन खाते खोलना, उसे आधार कार्ड से जोड़ना और आनलाइन फंड ट्रांसफर के लिए डिजिटल तकनीकों के उपयोग के द्वारा वित्तीय समावेशन कार्यक्रम को लागू किया गया। आनलाइन भुगतान तकनीक के लिए अधिक से अधिक एकीकृत भुगतान इंटरफेस (यूपीआइ) विकसित की गई और उनके माध्यम से सीधे लाभार्थी के खाते में धनराशि स्थानांतरित करने की व्यवस्था आरंभ की गई।

आम आदमी के जीवन में क्रांति लाने के लिए वित्तीय तकनीकों का उपयोग करना प्रधानमंत्री की एक महत्वाकांक्षी परियोजना है। फिनटेक के माध्यम से किए जाने वाले समाधानों के अंतर्गत आर्टिफिशियल इंटेलिजेंस (एआइ) और डाटा मैनेजमेंट का उपयोग करके नवाचार के लिए स्टार्ट-अप्स को वह निरंतर प्रोत्साहित कर रहे हैं। टैक्स रियायतों के माध्यम से स्टार्ट-अप पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र बनाना और फिर उसके लिए निवेश योग्य धन उपलब्ध कराने के साथ, सरकार का एक स्पष्ट रोडमैप है। अटल इनोवेशन मिशन के माध्यम से अकादमिक और उद्योगों को जोड़ने के लिए भी योजनाएं बनाई गई हैं। सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के उद्यमों द्वारा नवाचार को प्रोत्साहन के लिए समूची पेटेंट व्यवस्था को सुदृढ़ करना सरकार की नई पहल है।

इस डिजिटल परिवर्तन ने अमीर और गरीब, शहरी और ग्रामीण आबादी के बीच तकनीकी दूरी को कम करने में मदद की है। पंचायत स्तर पर इंटरनेट कनेक्टिविटी का एकीकृत तंत्र के तौर पर विकसित किया जा रहा है। डिजिटल इंडिया प्लेटफार्म के तहत भी कंप्यूटर सेवा केंद्र (सीएससी) स्थापित करके लोगों के जीवन को सुगम बनाया जा रहा है। प्रौद्योगिकी समाधानों ने सरकारी निर्णय और उसके कार्यान्वयन में मानवीय हस्तक्षेप को काफी हद तक कम कर दिया, जिससे सभी को अपने दैनिक जीवनयापन में सुविधा मिली है। सरकारी योजनाओं और कार्यक्रमों के लिए आनलाइन समाधान मानवीय हस्तक्षेप को कम करता है और इसमें भ्रष्टाचार की आशंकाएं भी कम होती हैं।

डिजिटल इंडिया पहल जैसे जीएसटी का कार्यान्वयन, वर्चुअल ई-मूल्यांकन, सरकारी ई-मार्केट प्लेटफार्म, डिजिटल लाकर, ई-मंडियां, 59 मिनट में पीएसबी लोन, स्टार्ट-अप इकोसिस्टम, टोल प्लाजा पर फास्ट टैग सुविधा और अब ई-रुपी वाउचर ने आम लोगों के जीवन को बदल दिया है। सरकारी योजनाओं को लागू करने के लिए प्रौद्योगिकी का उपयोग करने में हम सफल रहे हैं, चाहे वह लक्षित व्यक्तियों तक सामाजिक लाभ पहुंचाना हो या व्यवसाय करने में आसानी हो या फिर लाभ वितरण और शासन के लिए भ्रष्टाचार मुक्त तंत्र का निर्माण करना हो। जुलाई में भारतीय राष्ट्रीय भुगतान निगम (एनपीसीआइ) के यूनिफाइड पेमेंट्स इंटरफेस (यूपीआइ) के जरिये रिकार्ड 324 करोड़ लेन-देन किए गए हैं। राशि की बात करें तो इस प्लेटफार्म से 6.06 लाख करोड़ रुपये के लेन-देन किए गए।

केंद्र सरकार करीब 300 सरकारी योजनाओं के अंतर्गत लक्षित लाभार्थियों को 17.5 लाख करोड़ रुपये की धनराशि हस्तांतरित करने में सफल रही है और इस राशि को गलत हाथों में जाने से रोककर लगभग 1.75 लाख करोड़ रुपये की बचत करने में भी सफल रही है। इस साल सरकार ने न्यूनतम मूल्य पर खाद्यान्न खरीद कर किसानों के खाते में 86 हजार करोड़ रुपये ट्रांसफर किए हैं। सरकार ने प्रधानमंत्री किसान सम्मान निधि के तहत भी बड़ी राशि सीधे किसानों के खाते में ट्रांसफर की है। ई-रुपी वाउचर की नई पहल लक्षित व्यक्ति तक फंड ट्रांसफर करने के लिए एक अभिनव साधन बनकर उभरेगी।

जब सरकार ई-रुपी वाउचर जारी करती है, तो वह सुनिश्चित करती है कि फंड का उपयोग केवल निश्चित उद्देश्य के लिए ही किया जा सकता है। यह व्यक्ति-विशिष्ट भुगतान प्रणाली प्री-पेड उपहार-वाउचर के रूप में कार्य करती है, जिसे निर्धारित सेवा केंद्रों पर भुनाया जा सकता है। यह योजना सेवाओं के प्रायोजकों, लाभार्थियों और सेवा प्रदाताओं को एक डिजिटल प्लेटफार्म पर साथ ले आएगी। एक बार जब यह वाउचर किसी निजी संगठन या व्यक्ति द्वारा जारी किया जाएगा, तो उसे इस बात का भरोसा होगा कि इस निधि का उपयोग उनके निर्देशानुसार ही होगा।

दरअसल सरकार ‘पुश माडल’ पर काम कर रही है, जहां योजनाओं की घोषणा की जाती है, लक्ष्य निर्धारित किए जाते हैं और सरकारी अधिकारियों को उनके कार्यान्वयन के लिए जिम्मेदार बनाया जाता है, न कि ‘पुल माडल’ पर जहां नागरिकों को लाभ लेने के लिए सरकारी विभागों के पीछे भागना पड़ता है। ई-रुपी वाउचर की पहल लक्षित व्यक्ति तक रकम हस्तांतरित करने की दिशा में सार्थक साबित हो सकती है। इस व्यवस्था के माध्यम सरकारी धन के रिसाव को नियंत्रित किया जा सकेगा।

[राष्ट्रीय प्रवक्ता, भाजपा]

Ensuring Water for the marginalised – I

July 7, 2021

To control water consumption, the pricing mechanism is not effective. Creating awareness may be a better option

India is not a water-starved country. The issue is inefficient distribution and management of water resources, particularly urban water management.

Water is a sensitive issue and has various dimensions and conflicts, such as equitable access, competing uses, quality issues, displacement vis-à-vis development, commercialisation, privatisation, urbanisation and inter-State conflicts. The government has urgent task addressing these issues.

In this two-part series, we discuss the right to water and efficacy of pricing of water on conservation and consumption by the marginal sections of society. Our govern- ment strives to achieve water for all and strike a balance between the right to water for life and its pricing to recover the costs and prevent its wanton overuse.

Use of domestic water forms an integral part of a poor household’s coping strategies. It is an important part of poverty alleviation. Providing a basic level of access to water and health services is the highest priority. Policy initiatives are targeted at increasing the number of households with sufficient levels of water resource and focus on consumption by the marginalised sections.

Earlier a comparison between per capita household water con sumption of sample households and the recommended norms given by Bureau of Indian Stand- ards (BIS), 2001 Master Plan of Delhi, Central Public Health Engin- eering and Environmental Organ- isation, Leak Detection and Invest- igation (LD&I) and Japan – International Corporation Agency, showed a bleak picture of con- sumption in low income areas.

As per ‘India-Urban Slums Survey: NSS, 69th Round’, at an all-India

level, though households living in slum areas now have improved access to drinking water, households living in non-slum areas have better access. This disparity in water availability and use is increasing between economically lower and upper strata of the society.

The government’s Jal Jeevan Mission plans to provide tapped water to about 19 crore households, Har Ghar Jal, and fulfill an important commitment in the Constitution, for provision of potable water to all its citizens. But there is a lot ground to be covered. At the policy level there are competing ideologies and divided views, particularly on pricing and conservation. We need discussion and debate on water.

Water Precious resource AFP

Pricing matters little

There are diverse views relating to the impact of pricing of water on consumption behaviour. Many studies on household consumables like water show that they are price-inelastic. Despite this inherent inelasticity, some studies suggest that price could be a good water-demand management tool.

Based on the economic principle that demand decreases with increase in prices, some economists believe that efficient water management requires clear price signals that provide incentives for efficient use of water, resulting in efficient allocation of water among competing demands.

Awareness of the prevailing price and self declared response to a change in price of water by house- holds is considered as basic indicators to gauge price sensitivity, our study observed that the consump- tion of around 90 per cent of the households of low-income colonies will not come down as their con- sumption levels were already very low.

The proportion of income spent on water is another important parameter and our study, using primary data, shows it is 4.93 per cent, implying that the households are less sensitive to water prices. Also, the proportion of income spent on water, falls as we move from the lower to higher-income colonies suggesting that the sensitivity to prices of the lower-income group is higher than the higher-income groups.

So the consumption of water demand is highly price-insensitive. This is because people perceive water as a necessity and not a luxury. It also implies that increasing the price may not reduce the consumption of water significantly. Most of the literature on willingness to pay by consumers justifies market pricing of water, as there is a willingness to pay. But an important aspect ignored in these studies is that the willingness to pay will always be there for necessities, in case of a shortage. Affordability should be given more priority in designing policies pertaining to essential elements like water. Pricing of water is a critical policy decision. The poor will be affected more than higher-income classes.

The best way to reduce household water wastage is to spread awareness about the means to save water at home. Creating conscious- ness about the repercussions of us- ing water carelessly will also help people to be more careful in its usage. Some of the water-efficient equipment such as low-flow showers and taps, dual flushing systems, water-saving equipment to wash clothes and utensils or even simple taps in resettlement colonies etc., can help a lot in conservation.

Gopal Krishna Agarwal is President of Jaladhikar Foundation & National Spokesperson of BJP: Yuthika Agarwal is Assistant Professor of Economics, Delhi University

Farmer agitation instigation by arhatiyas and middleman fearing loss of Rs 6000 crores says BJP leader

December 7, 2020

Amidst the ongoing protests against the newly introduced farm laws, BJP leader and spokesperson for economic affairs, Gopal Krishna Agarwal, has informed that the agitation has been instigated by commission agents known as arhatiyas after fearing annual loss of ₹6000 crores worth of commission.

As per reports, the BJP has accused the Congress and the commission agents of provoking the farmers for their ulterior motives. Gopal Krishna Agarwal said that it has been a long-standing demand that the government create alternative markets for farmers and bring about a revolution in the agriculture sector. He reiterated that the introduction of the new farm bills was a step in that direction. The BJP leader added that the efforts of the government are being marred by a motivated campaign of opposition parties and commission agents.

He stated that there are about 25,000 commission agents in Punjab, who would make ₹6000 crores by taking a cut of 8.5%. Agarwal said that the new farm laws have threatened the control of commission agents over the markets and that they are therefore spreading rumours surrounding the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the ‘abolishment’ of the Mandi system, with the support of the Congress party.

Farm laws meant to end the monopoly of commission agents

On being asked why the government does not give assurance to farmers in writing about the MSP, he clarified that the new farm laws have no connection to MSP. Gopal Krishna Agarwal emphasised that the Mandi system and MSP would remain the same, as it has been all these years. This point has been clarified by the central government, including the prime minister,r multiple times.

He pointed out that the farm laws are specifically meant to end the monopoly of the commission agents at APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee). He further added that the agents would force the farmers to sell their produce at the local market, as it would help them earn a commission of 8.5%.

Gopal Krishna Agarwal clears the confusion about MSP

The BJP spokesperson said that the BJP government has decided to purchase 15% of the total farm produce at the Minimum Support Price, as compared to 6% by the previous governments. “Those spreading rumours about MSP must realise that the Central government fixes the Minimum support price but the State governments have to purchase the crops at that price. The State governments are not financially sound to procure 100% of the farm produce, in addition to low storage capacity,” he remarked.

BJP leader questions timing of agitation, emphasises on the need for private investment

He had also questioned the timing of the renewed protests. Agarwal said that questions surrounding the agricultural laws were addressed in June itself. He added that the resurgence of the agitation in November implied that the farmers have been provoked and misled. The BJP spokesperson emphasised that while the warehousing and cold storage facilities are low in India, private investment in the particular sector will benefit the farmers as there is grain surplus in the country.

Gopal K Agarwal is national convener of the BJP economic cell.

Congress, commissioning agents and middlemen are behind farmer protests on Delhi border: BJP Spokesperson

November 30, 2020

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) believes that some political organisations, including Punjab’s commission agents, middlemen, and the Congress, are behind the farmers’ agitation going on at the Delhi border. BJP’s national economic affairs spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal claims that the new law led to a hit of six thousand crore rupees annually, and that is why 25,000 commission agents began instigating the common farmer.

While the three newly created laws are in the interest of the farmer, the BJP hopes that the misunderstanding over the new laws among the farmers will be removed when correct information reaches them.

National spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal, who plays the role of a bridge between the central government and the BJP in economic matters, told IANS that the history of the last 20 years shows that many committees have insisted on creating alternative markets for farmers. Whether it is the Swaminathan Committee, the Parliamentary Standing Committee or the Shanta Kumar Committee report, everybody advocated a paradigm shift in this direction.

Gopal Krishna Agarwal described the nexus between the farmers’ agitation and the political parties. He said, “There are 25,000 commission agents in Punjab. The new law has hurt the earnings of six thousand crore rupees annually. Eight and a half per cent of this was their commission. The way the new laws are being protested by spreading falsehoods over MSP and the Mandi system reeks of politics. I think political parties like the Congress and commission agents have done the job of instigating the farmers.”

On the question of purchase of 100 per cent MSP, Agarwal said that the government bought only six per cent of the total production earlier, if you look at the Shanta Kumar report. Now, government procurement in the Modi government has gone up to 15 per cent. So, the Modi government is working much more for the welfare of farmers. People who are spreading confusion over MSP have to understand that the central government declares only minimum support price, while the state governments make the procurement. The state governments are not so financially strong that they can make 100 per cent procurement. Neither do they have proper storage capacity.”

Why doesn’t the government give a written assurance on MSP? Agarwal says the new law has nothing to do with MSP. So it is not a question of putting it in writing. “MSP is a different subject; it can be discussed at another forum. The government has already said that the present system of MSP is not being done away with. The way the system has been going on for 70 years, it will continue, and so will the mandis. In today’s date, the APMC’s monopoly is the biggest problem for farmers. The commission agents compel the farmers to sell the crop in the local mandi because they get 8.5 per cent commission. The new law will ensure that farmers are able to sell the crop wherever they want.”

Has the agitation taken shape because of lack of communication with farmer organisations? The BJP national spokesperson said that the government has held extensive discussions with farmers. “In view of the recommendations of several reports and after talks with farmer organisations, the ordinance on agricultural laws came in June. If somebody had a problem, they could have raised it in June itself. Now, there is agitation at the end of November. This shows that the farmers are being misled.”

Are corporate houses being benefited with the relaxation in storage limits? On this question, the BJP spokesperson said that the capacity of warehousing in the country is low and needs to be enhanced. “This will happen only when private investment comes. The Essential Commodities Act in India was enacted in 1955 when there was a shortage of foodgrains in the country. Today, the country is grain surplus. At this time, an attempt is being made to promote private investment by giving concessions in storage limits.”

(The writer is National Spokesperson of BJP)

Agri-reforms will empower farmers- The Opposition is wrong

September 22, 2020

By Gopal Krishna Agarwal,

The legislation will give options of new markets, attract private investments to build infrastructure, help in better price discovery, enable information dissemination mechanism, and provide future price assurance to the farmers

The unprecedented 23.9% decline in the gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2020-21 is serious. But gross value-added numbers show that agriculture grew by a respectable 3.4%, suggesting the rural economy will drive recovery.

The Centre promulgated three agriculture-related ordinances in June, which were a break from the past when pernicious interventions by governments were justified in the name of farmers’ welfare. The supply chain in requires massive investment from warehousing, cold storage, transportation to infrastructure in retail distribution. This mega push can come from private sector alone. Agriculture has also been moving from shortages to surplus and the policy on essential commodities from 1955 is bound to be reworked and limitations removed for the benefits of scale of operation and value addition.

These reforms were similar to the 1991 moment for the economy and were hailed by experts. The Committee of State Ministers, in charge of Agriculture Marketing to Promote Reforms emphasised the need to promote competition in the interest of the farmers and so had the of the Standing Committee on Agriculture in its 62nd report. This had the support of almost all parties.

With the government replacing the ordinances by Acts of Parliament, the Congress, some other political parties, farmer unions affiliated to them, and representing the interests of the middlemen are raising a hue and cry. A misinformation campaign has been let loose. The most sinister of them is that the government will do away with the minimum support price (MSP), even though the Centre said that there is no question of dismantling the MSP mechanism. The Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) and Mandi Act are in the domain of states, and, therefore, there is no question of the Centre amending it unilaterally. Only interstate commodity trade is in the Centre’s domain. The existing APMC infrastructure is not being dismantled; MSP as an administration mechanism implemented through the local mandis and procurements done by state governments, will continue as usual. The Narendra Modi government, on Monday itself, announced the increase in MSP of many commodities.

Though the purpose of MSP was to provide an assured floor price to the farmers, over time, it became the ceiling price. With the new Act on facilitating trade and commerce of produce, the government is making it legally and institutionally possible for farmers to explore the possibility of selling at an even higher price, while retaining the safety net of MSP. With competition from private markets, APMC markets will no longer enjoy the monopoly and the farmer will benefit from better services.

As far as the argument of farmers losing their land to corporates is concerned, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020 Act, talks about an agreement on the farm produce only, and not about the land. The Act has further safeguards for farmers on land; in case of loss of produce, farmers alone will get the benefit of insurance compensation and the infrastructure and equipment used at the farm land has been protected as belonging to the land owners. Even the dispute resolution within the Act has been delegated at the district level, with the formation of district boards, and farmers will not have to run from one court to the other to get justice.

The lack of a responsible Opposition has been the bane of Indian politics since 2014. Anything that the Modi Government does must be opposed by the Congress. The Congress, in its recent election manifestos, had asked for dismantling APMC, but we have abstained from doing so.

The legislation will give options of new markets, attract private investments to build infrastructure, help in better price discovery, enabling information dissemination mechanism, and provide price assurance to the farmers. With the prime minister himself at the forefront and the Bharatiya Janata Party amplifying his messages, there should be no doubt about the future of farmers’ welfare.

These reforms were similar to the 1991 moment for the wider economy and were hailed as such by leading experts

Gopal Krishna Agarwal is national spokesperson of the BJP on economic affairs

Aatamnirbhar Bharat – Opportunities within India “Never waste a Crisis”

May 20, 2020

By Gopal Krishna Agarwal,

Modi government is finishing first year of its 2nd term. The 2019 mandate was historic. It was after thirty-five years that any government had been voted back to power with this thumping majority. The unprecedented mandate gives certain confidence and also poses some challenges.

The five years of our previous governance had given a hope that the process of structural changes creating a business ecosystem of transparent and level playing field would bear long-term fruits of equal opportunities for all. Concentration of wealth, large-scale corruption, and leakages in social delivery mechanism and gaps in tax collection had become part of history. Modi Ji never came to manage economy; he made transformative changes in the ecosystem. Challenges always seemed to be an opportunity and he took the problems head-on.

The first year of the second term is no less different. The focus of the Government is more on ‘ease of living’, formalization of economy and equal opportunities for all.

Building State Capacity:

The Government has always been extensively using technologies to build State capacity. It identifies the problem, creating technical solutions around, integrating stakeholders into the ecosystem and creates a performance matrix for evaluation.

The COVID-19 crisis has brought in sharp focus the aspect of state capacity. Use of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for good governance, policies and welfare programmes are bringing massive improvement in state capacity. India’s earlier digital story based on Aadhar is very different from other countries and has set an example for the world. Indian talent in these areas is being nurtured and leveraged.

Ideological Precedence:

It was a year when ideology took precedence over other things. Shri Amit Shah rightly said that we have not been elected for the second term to merely govern but to address India’s long-standing issues. India was bogged down by certain historical problems. Article 370, which our constitutional forefathers had envisioned as a temporary measure, was permanently intriguing us day and night. We were harping on Jammu and Kashmir being an integral part of India but on the ground it seemed otherwise. Wavering leadership of earlier times neither had the courage or the vision to unshackle the historical wrongs. The Modi government removed it in one go. People wondered, what were we waiting for all these years? Bringing Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), dealing with Rohingya infiltrators, or National Population Register and National Citizenship Register are pointing that India’s national interests are supreme.

The second budget:

It was a landmark in laying a roadmap for five trillion dollar economy. Under the theme of Economic Development in the 2nd Budget, government provided for all the important sectors like technological textile center’s, power and renewable energy, connectivity like airports, seaports, and railways. Finance minister worked out a mechanism for the ambitious plan of investment of Rs 103 lakh crore under National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), identifying 6500 projects for financing through Center, State and foreign direct investments (FDI). Government has also opened up its bond markets, in rupee denomination, for investment from foreign sovereign debt funds, securing against exchange fluctuations. The financial market’s long-pending demand for abolition of dividend distribution tax (DDT) has been accepted.

The budget focused on wealth creation, pro-business policies, and minimal government intervention. For resource generation, it has desisted from increasing direct or indirect taxes. Announcement of Taxpayer’s Rights Charter within the statute is an important step of bringing accountability in the tax administration. Provision for statutory taxpayers’ rights exists only in three other countries worldwide.

RCEP, FTA and Import Duties:

Government’s efforts of reduction in corporate taxes to 25 percent, decriminalization of Company Act 2013, protection of domestic industries by refusing to sign Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) against all domestic and regional pressure, renegotiating and reworking on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with ASEAN countries and increasing import duties in eight segments were all in the direction of protecting industries from onslaught of unfair global competition.

The Corona Challenge:

COVID-19 is a nonlinear and uncertain event. The Government interventions are commensurate with the severity of the global recession. Demand in the economy will diminish due to economic uncertainty, job losses and financial problems. Therefore, the Government’s focus is on reviving demand.

Aatma Nirbhar Bharat:

The trend of deglobalisation, which started after the global financial crisis and gained strength after the 2016 US elections, is expected to accelerate. India is also focusing on being self-reliant in critical products and areas. Looking into this, the economic reforms of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, focusing on all the factors of production, will make our domestic industries competitive, rebuild and catalyze growth in an unprecedented manner. There are certain challenges for the manufacturing sector in India; like lowering of interest rate, reduction in logistical cost, labour reforms, ease of compliance, contract enforcement, and FDI policy.

Detailed reforms in these area as follows;
Private Capital formation:

Government’s efforts in the areas like Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has resulted in reducing risk premium on interest cost and successive reduction in Repo rate and Reverse Repo rate have brought down prime lending rate.

National Logistics Policy:

Presently, the logistical sector’s contribution to GDP is 14-15 percent in India, whereas in developed countries, this is about 9-10 percent. Meaning thereby that the transportation cost for our manufacturing sector is about 40 percent. Government has announced the National Logistics Policy, aiming to bring it down by 2022.

Labour Law Reforms:

Understanding the need of labour reforms, Government has worked on consolidating the existing multiple labour laws into four Labour Codes, easing compliances and streamlining welfare. Initiatives like Shram Suvidha, Universal account number, for real estate industry labour is also helping labour.

Compliance Mechanism:

Easing compliance requires technological innovation. Government has announced, virtual E-assessment for Income Tax Act. Most of the compliances of RBI, ROC and SEBI etc. have been computerized. Indirect taxes have been made online through GST Network. Government has brought manufacturing policy in which entrepreneur has to fill the Entrepreneur Memorandum (EM) doing away with permission and licensing in all segments except for four sectors: tobacco, defence, alcohol and hazardous chemicals.

FDI Policy:

The Central Government has allowed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through the automatic route in most of the sectors of the Indian economy, with sectoral caps in only some of them. Current account convertibility is in place; restrictions under the FEMA and repatriation rules have been relaxed, helping further foreign direct investment in the domestic manufacturing sector.

Emerging Segments:

The government had set up robust Start-up ecosystem like Atal Innovation Mission, Atal Incubation Centres and Tinkering Labs. Emerging areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and analytics have large scope in the future for India and government focus on five pillars of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, including economy, infrastructure, technology, will create greater opportunities for the future.

The first year of 2nd term of Modi Government has laid the roadmap for the future and we will embark on it with full gusto. Watching over India’s interest and nationalism is at the core of all the policies of our government and the nation should rest assure that we are in safe hands.

(The writer is National spokesperson of BJP on economic affairs)

#Aatamnirbhar #Bharat #Never #waste a #Crisis

Development for all

February 7, 2020

By Gopal Krishna Agarwal,

Budget covers financial, development concerns

The Centre has not been bogged down by the resource constraints and has continued with its spending on infrastructure and asset creation. It has taken care to ensure that the social welfare schemes of the government have been allocated sufficient funds and are able to continue on their path of benefit to the last man. Though the fiscal deficit targets have been relaxed, the government has mapped out a fiscal consolidation path, annexed a list of off-budget borrowing, and settled a very significant debate about transparency in government borrowing. The Finance Minister has set a nominal GDP growth rate of 10 per cent for the coming year, a 4 per cent inflation target and a 6 per cent real GDP growth target.

The Budget focuses on wealth creation, but for resource generation, it has kept away from increasing taxes. The government has reiterated its commitment of recognising and honouring honest taxpayers and taking care of unwarranted harassment by the tax authority, bringing accountability in the tax administration. The announcement of the incorporation of the taxpayers’ rights charter within the statute is an important step in this direction. Such a provision for taxpayers’ rights exists only in three other countries worldwide.

Direct personal tax slabs have been changed to benefit the middle-income segment. Deposit insurance has been increased to 5 lakh to help build more confidence in the banking sector.

The agriculture sector has been sufficiently provided for in 16 initiatives announced under the ‘Aspirational India’ theme.

The financial market’s long-pending demand for the abolition of the dividend distribution tax has been met. Stressed assets under MSMEs have been given a one-year extension for resolution. The startup ecosystem gets several handholding measures, such as allowing for payment of taxes for ESOPs only at the point of sale.

The education sector saw several reforms for connecting academics to industries, providing them with industrial internships, online education facilities, and a new ‘police and cybercrime university’. Employment through the national recruitment agency will streamline the process and ensure transparency.

Under the theme of economic development, the government provides for all the important sec tors, like technological textile centres, power, renewable energy, and for connectivity through airports, seaports and railways. The Finance Minister has worked out a mechanism for the ambitious plan of investment in the 103-lakh crore National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), identifying 6,500 projects.

The Budget also provides for gap funding for new hospitals in aspirational districts for servicing the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme.

The government has also opened up its bond markets for foreign sovereign debt investments, in rupee denomination to secure against exchange fluctuations, a concern shown for sovereign debt funds.

The government has also addressed the inverted duty structure that has seeped into the domestic industry under free trade agreements. It also protects domestic industries from dumping and clauses like value addition. The cooperative sector saw a lowering of taxes, similar to the corporate sector. Measures to remove discrimination and removing fear in the corporate sector have been hailed across every section. The faceless appeal system, disinvestment roadmap and improvement of the primary and secondary bond markets will help reduce dependence of corporate sector on bank finance alone. MSMEs’ demand for invoice financing under TReDS has also been met.

The writer is national spokesperson of BJP on economic affairs

GST becomes even simpler, ensuring interests of our citizens are safeguarded and India’s economy grows

October 30, 2017

It is now 100 day that Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been successfully rolled out. It is a landmark reform that will transform Indian economy by creating One Market One Tax. Agriculture sector and manufacturing sectors were reeling under fragmented markets. In addition manufacturing sector was bogged down by multiplicity of taxes and lack of Ease of Doing Business (EODB). Complexity of indirect taxes, inspector raj, harrasment of registration and filing returns physically and running around for assessment & refunds and corruption thereoff, have all been removed. The process is online transparent and automatic.

GST is changing the way businesses is being done in India. For the consumer, it will reduce prices, for the Government, it would mean increased revenue collection and creation of a simpler system to administer through GST network (GSTN). Conceptually, GST does away with the multiplicity of tax structures subsuming about 13 central and state taxes. We are looking at an objective, online, transparent and compliant tax system.

The complete online structure of GST Network, after full implementation, by December 2017, will bring EODB. Once, initial transactions are uploaded into the system, either online or even offline, other informations will be transmitted automatically. With registration, returns, assessment and refund without tax personnel intervention, the day to day life of businessmen will become hastle free.

Demonetisation has pushed people to move business transactions to banking channels, establishing audit trail. This has been a prerequisite for successful implementation of GST. Once the full benefits of GST, such as Input Tax Credit (ITC) and removal of the cascading effects of tax from Maximum Retail Price (MRP) are implemented, consumer prices will come down. With better tax compliance, government can lower indirect tax rates. This indication has already been given by Union Finance Minister.

There has been some criticism on some issues regarding implementation of GST. There is also lot of misinformation being circulated on social media, therefore we should be careful about them. Many people are quoting wrong figure of Rs 65000 crores as ITC demand, although the returns for claim of ITC has not yet been filed. All these assumption of demand of tax credit are based on Interstate GST figures (IGST) alone and wrong estimation.

Current government is the most proactive government the country had anytime. We are never in denial mode. Prime Minister has his ears to the ground and is always ready to listen and adopt. Prime Minister very graciously indicated at the Institute of Company Secretary (ICSI) function, about the changes in GST laws to accommodate some of these demands.

The 22nd meeting of GST council brought in major changes making GST more people friendly with active public participation, these changes will give major boost to EODB for small and medium entrepreneurs and will unlock new possibilities for these entrepreneurs. These changes will also provide significant relief to the exporters. Council has revised GST rates favourably on 27 items of common use in textiles, manufacturing sector including various yarns, parts of diesel engines, pumps etc. These steps will definitely empower farmers and poor sections of society.

Increasing the turnover threshold for composite scheme from Rs 75 lacs to Rs 1 crore will give further relief to the small businesses. Difficult provisions with regards to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and Tax Collected at Source (TCS) have been put on hold and will be operationalised from 1st April, 2018. Even the services provided by goods transport agencies to unregistered persons have been exempted from GST, one of the major demand from transport sector. Demand for suspension of Reverse Change Mechanism (RCM) has been agreed upon and RCM under CGST and IGST have been suspended till 31st March 2018. Now there is no need to pay GST at time of reciept of advances on sale of goods for taxpayers with turnover up to Rs 1.5 crore. Small service providers with trunover of less than Rs 20 lacs per annum have been exempted from registration even if they are providing inter-state taxable services.

Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley said at an international forum that, under GST the government has unveiled attractive schemes to ensure that the non-compliant in India become compliant. The obvious problem for some, in the GST, is that the noncompliant are going to eventually come in to the tax net. Data has shown that almost 95 % of the tax is just being paid by 400,000 accesses. And there is a need to continue to expand the tax base at the bottom itself. This is what demonetization and GST is accomplishing.

He further said that, ‘India’s transition to the GST regime has been fairly smooth despite attempts by ill-informed opposition leaders to derail its implementation’, he further said that, ‘Many attempts have been made by political groups to derail the GST, but I am glad that their own state governments are not listening to them because they know 80 % of the money from GST is going to come to states’. Even the states are being encouraged towards competitive federalism and the government is also taking up the ranking of state based on EODB.

The GST Council is India’s first genuine federal institution, which meets every month, reviews the monthly situation and takes the final decisions. The global integration of the Indian economy is happening at a time when other economies are becoming more and more protectionist. India is now a better place to do business, because of the series of steps being taken by the government in the last three years. We are sure that with mega structural reforms like GST being, implemented India is now capable of taking big decisions and implementing them at a large-scale.

(The writer is BJP National Spokesperson on Economic Affairs)