By: Atul K

Atul K — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:05:30 +0000

This comparison between starkly opposite Bihar and TN was, i reckon, already written in your mind when you finished your tours in these states. While I applaud the trend that development has a a nationwide resonance, I would still hesitate to brush aside the role caste, creed and money play in our elections. One may comment that all the people-friendly schemes which are funded by budget are in a way extension of TN/AP model as parties fall over each other in promising newer freebies–let thefiscal balance be damned. I have not come across any authoritative study which supports the argument that such ‘cash’ transfers do lead to overall well-being.
Another related topic could be how the last government carry out such massive programmes entailing millions of crores of Rupees outlays. How much is debt-driven and how much was made possible due to tax-realisation and related issues. And whether an encore is indeed possible this time? What about leakages in PDS, and other subsidies?

By: shantanu

shantanu — Thu, 28 May 2009 02:29:37 +0000

No one can understand the outcome of 15th general election as easily as you do so.

By: S.K. Shrivastava

S.K. Shrivastava — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:48:02 +0000

Dear Girish.
This was a wonderful anaylisn. I really liked it.
S.K.S.

Comments on: Be it Bihar or Tamil Nadu—-for a change, it is development not caste

By: Atul K

By: shantanu

By: S.K. Shrivastava