Last year, BJP won the general election with a huge majority. Among others, one of the key election promises which gave power to Narendra Modi was transparency and responsibility in governance. People trusted his promises during election campaigns. After 365 days of his governance, many of his electoral promises exist only on paper — the Lokpal Bill and the Grievance Redressal Bill. Key bill like transparency and accountability legislation have not even reached in Parliament also. Even the functioning of the Central Information Commission has come to a virtual halt without a functioning head.
When the ruling party is having absolute majority, it has to continue in power till completion of five years. Then where is the question of celebration on completion of 100 days or one year like cinema movies. On the contrary, they can celebrate it at the end of their term conveying to people that these were their achievements during their regime. Besides, nowadays people are more informed about what is going on and differentiate between right and wrong. Hence, I request the PM to continue his work without spending time on such flimsy celebrations and plan what is next to be done. That will automatically bring honour to PM’s Team.
Modi has individually proven that he can think original ideas like clean India and girl child development. I hope his ideas will definitely transform the nation in better ways. In a democracy like India, one needs to be humble enough to accept the sheer scale of expectations. Chest thumping sloganeering can only take you that far and nothing beyond that. Instead of depending on media, he and his team should work for equitable, comprehensive and no melodramatic governance.
Land Acquisition Bill is another issue. Farmers are committing suicide, but BJP pointing out at UPA government’s failure in protecting the interest of farmers. UPA is voted out by people hoping that Modi would serve something better in their plate at low cost, but after one year of ruling BJP government is yet to come out of election campaigning mode. They still accuse UPA and divert the crucial issues. Farmers and crusaders are on the street against the Land Acquisition Bill. The government has failed to explain how this bill will benefit them. They should explain to people that how their health would improve if the government destroys the environment. They can’t justify cut in budgets of education, research and development. How it will spur inventions and innovations? Tell them that the current account deficit has come down due to fall in oil prices not because of the steps taken by the government. Tell them, there are plenty of travel and some immature statements.
PM and his team have made a good beginning by initiating measures for good governance and development. However, the general perception among the middle class is that the delivery system does not keep pace with the promises made by PM last year. There are few examples which support my statement like Clean Ganges plan, Returning of Black Money, Construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya and many more. Nothing could be seen happening here; rather BJP’s national president giving a statement to media saying Black Money was Election ‘Jumla’, a gimmick used for election campaign purpose.
Besides some flaws, Modi has made it clear that his ideas regarding devolution of center’s powers to local governments. He said decentralization brings government closer to people. He wants administrative and technical empowerment of the local institutions to fight poverty by participating in planning and management of local development. He has initiated the financial inclusion program that aims to help provide a bank account for every household in the country, insurance and accident policy for all. His foreign outreach was aimed at industrialists and CEOs to contribute to the ‘Make in India’ program of his government; he has made efforts to engage with neighbours. He wants social justice and development of the poor as a part of national commitment. However, this entire year look like lip services by Modi. He failed to bring down inflation, dollars are going up whereas rupee is weakening, petrol and diesel prices are shooting up. Unemployment issue is on the rise. Plight of farmer and Jawans are still the same. There has been a rise in rape cases.
Modi and BJP had shown dreams to people but they are yet to fulfill the expectations of the citizens of this country. On the contrary, attacks on churches, reconversion, hate against minority, irresponsible statements by BJP leaders added fuel to the fire. Four more years to go….let’s hope for better future of India and Indians.
