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NO PLACE FOR AGRICULTURAL ISSUES IN THE INDIAN ECONOMIC SUMMIT CONVENED BY CII!

In the Economic Summit the F M urged industries to cut prices, but the industrialists refused in a chorus; instead they demanded cut in interest rates and taxes and more bank loans. The Economic Summit would appear to be of the Industrialists, by the Industrialists and for the Industrialists. Every thing under the sun is discussed in the Economic Summit, except problems facing agriculture which were highlighted by the World Economic Forum, such as: PRESSURE ON LAND and WATER, SLOW PROGRESS IN PRODUCTIVITY, RURAL URBAN DISPARITIES where pointed reference was made that ” India’s economic growth is not benefiting rural populations as much as those living in urban areas. Rural communities are most disadvantaged when it comes to infrastructure, education, sanitation and healthcare”.

These problems should have been at the centre stage of Economic Summit discussions. But unfortunately none of the eminent speakers touched on these problems even in passing. Thus agricultural issues were ignored in the economic summit also. Rural infra development is woefully lagging behind, pressure on land and water remain unsolved. Rural/ Urban economic disparities continue to widen and the Summit failed to address these pressing problems being faced 70% of the population and the entire focus was on cutting interest rates and taxes to revive industrial growth.

‘A review by the Planning Commission is reported to have found that barring rural telephony and housing, all other sectors chosen for focused attention under the Rs 1.76 lakh crore five-year (2005-09) rural infrastructure programme are lagging behind the set targets. Notably, the situation is particularly dismal in key areas of irrigation, rural roads and rural electrification, though it is below par also in the provision of safe drinking water. Sadly, in the first four years, only one-third of the target for rural connectivity and electrification, vital for inclusive growth, could be attained. Worse still, the progress was an abysmal 10 per cent in the case of electric supply to the below-poverty-line households. The achievement in critical areas of irrigation and potable water supply, too, was far from satisfactory, being 50 per cent and 60 per cent, respectively. There is, obviously, no way that such huge backlogs in these sectors can be made up in the last year, especially considering that the funding for many of these programmes has shrunk this year in real terms.’ B.S-Missing the mark again-19-11-08

Can industry grow when agriculture and rural Bharath are languishing? Can they ignore 70% consumers who are in rural Bharath and still revive industrial growth? This lopsided priority is continuing despite tall claims of inclusive growth.

WHITHER INCLUSIVE GROWTH WHEN 70% OF POPULATION DEPENDENT ON AGRICULTURE IS LANGUSHING?
High time to realign our priorities by developing rural infrastructure and give a big boost to rural economy.
“EVERY THING ELSE CAN WAIT BUT NOT AGRICULTURE” Nehru