Case for a MAD Pipeline
After years of discussion, it seems the plan to lay a mammoth gas pipeline from Oman to India is on its way out. The Omanese minister for industry has expressed doubts about the technical feasibility of the pipeline, and so …
Articles
Home Truths of Economic Federalism
Now that we a have a ruling coalition including many regional parties, we hear much talk of economic federalism. Critics claim the Centre has over the years usurped power belonging to the states. Maybe so. But if the Centre has …
The Limits of Populism
I am astonished that the Indian press has paid so little heed to the remarkable events in Andhra Pradesh. Two years ago, the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) swept into power on a platform promising rice at Rs 2 per kilo, …
Let a thousand Lakhubhais Bloom
There is an old Indian joke mat an honest politician is one who takes bribes and delivers the promised contracts, whereas a dishonest politician is one who takes money but does not deliver. In Mr Narasimha Rao\’s case, this looks …
What does Congress stand for?
Why has the Congress Party suffered its worst ever defeat? Mainly because it has gradually ceased to stand for any clear goals except moneymaking. As an umbrella party, it claims to stand for all sections of society. It is now …
Medicine creates Millions of Jobs
Is modern technology destroying more jobs than it creates, precipitating a social crisis ? This topic was debated heatedly at the Davos symposium which I attended last week. This question has been asked for two centuries since the industrial revolution, …
Does Democracy hit the Poor?
All parties in the general elections swear to eradicate poverty. Yet voters know that any party coming to power will adopt policies targeted mainly at the non-poor. Central and state governments have instituted hundreds of subsidies over the years. All …
Why Sukh Ram Is So Popular
This is an election in which the fate of many political giants is uncertain. But when I toured Himachal Pradesh last week, I discovered that one person is regarded by all and sundry as unbeatable—Mr Sukh Ram, the union telecom …
The Rules of Chandraswaminomics
Spiritualism is supposed to be on a higher plane than material wealth. Yet there is no shortage of people visiting temples, dargahs or churches to pray for favours form God. The prayers are often buttressed by donations or ritual sacrifices. …
Social Impact of Reform and Non-Reform
What has been the social impact of the economic reforms? What have they done for education, health, employment, poverty alleviation? Many observers look at the data before and after 1991 and make comparisons, some of which are favourable to the …
