Election results 2014: Booster dose for economy, jobs creation will top govt's agenda - The Times of India
NEW DELHI: "Disruptive innovation" is a phrase that comes most easily to a %long-time associate of Narendra Modi when offering a view of how India's next Prime Minister will order his priorities.
As a leader, Modi has hunted for strategies that are transformative rather than incremental in bringing about change on a large scale, be it in agriculture or industry. A man who believes in both delegation as well as micro-management when necessary, Modi is expected to make the economy, more specifically employment generation, an urgent focus of his government.
The task selects itself in many ways. Pepping up a listless economy tops the to-do list and job creation is a political necessity if Modi is to meet the enormous expectation he has aroused, especially among the youth.
A push for infrastructure projects is also expected. Railways is likely to get attention. Then, there's the proposal to construct 100 cities-an ambitious goal-but Modi might like to get it underway as it will generate jobs as well as create demand for sluggish sectors like steel and cement.
A significant jump in agricultural productivity has been an important factor behind the success of the 'Gujarat Model' which he milked astutely in the polls. He would like to replicate the success, particularly along the Ganga. It would also help BJP strengthen its grip over states like UP and Bihar.
Modi is too canny a politician not to realize the importance of welfare in a country where poverty is still rampant. While he believes growth is an antidote for poverty, Modi may not dismantle programmes like NREGA but use it to create rural assets. In Gujarat, single-window clearance for applications and projects actually acquired meaning. There's no reason why Modi won't seek to do the same with the central government and drastically reduce red tape.
This would also win him the recognition ofglobal business and ignite the interest of the developed powers.
Disinvestment is a word that will be used with care. Any review of retail in multi-brand retail will probably wait, as Modi is unlikely %to lose sight of a core %BJP-Sangh constituency's determined resistance to the proposal. Tourism will be high priority. Police modernization, defence preparedness and strategies to combat Maoists can all be expected to reflect the task-oriented approach %of Modi.
On foreign policy, a big emphasis is likely to be on leveraging commerce as a key component of India's strategic interests. The foreign ministry has often been conflicted between the need to deal with difficult neighbours and political objectives that do not factor in ground realities. Modi can be expected to ensure a more coordinated approach.
On the issue of dealing with minorities, a Modi government can be expected %to stress developmental initiatives in education and health that can deliver %real benefits while steering clear of affirmative action %or extending quotas to private sector.
NEW DELHI: "Disruptive innovation" is a phrase that comes most easily to a %long-time associate of Narendra Modi when offering a view of how India's next Prime Minister will order his priorities.
As a leader, Modi has hunted for strategies that are transformative rather than incremental in bringing about change on a large scale, be it in agriculture or industry. A man who believes in both delegation as well as micro-management when necessary, Modi is expected to make the economy, more specifically employment generation, an urgent focus of his government.
The task selects itself in many ways. Pepping up a listless economy tops the to-do list and job creation is a political necessity if Modi is to meet the enormous expectation he has aroused, especially among the youth.
A push for infrastructure projects is also expected. Railways is likely to get attention. Then, there's the proposal to construct 100 cities-an ambitious goal-but Modi might like to get it underway as it will generate jobs as well as create demand for sluggish sectors like steel and cement.
A significant jump in agricultural productivity has been an important factor behind the success of the 'Gujarat Model' which he milked astutely in the polls. He would like to replicate the success, particularly along the Ganga. It would also help BJP strengthen its grip over states like UP and Bihar.
Modi is too canny a politician not to realize the importance of welfare in a country where poverty is still rampant. While he believes growth is an antidote for poverty, Modi may not dismantle programmes like NREGA but use it to create rural assets. In Gujarat, single-window clearance for applications and projects actually acquired meaning. There's no reason why Modi won't seek to do the same with the central government and drastically reduce red tape.
This would also win him the recognition ofglobal business and ignite the interest of the developed powers.
Disinvestment is a word that will be used with care. Any review of retail in multi-brand retail will probably wait, as Modi is unlikely %to lose sight of a core %BJP-Sangh constituency's determined resistance to the proposal. Tourism will be high priority. Police modernization, defence preparedness and strategies to combat Maoists can all be expected to reflect the task-oriented approach %of Modi.
On foreign policy, a big emphasis is likely to be on leveraging commerce as a key component of India's strategic interests. The foreign ministry has often been conflicted between the need to deal with difficult neighbours and political objectives that do not factor in ground realities. Modi can be expected to ensure a more coordinated approach.
On the issue of dealing with minorities, a Modi government can be expected %to stress developmental initiatives in education and health that can deliver %real benefits while steering clear of affirmative action %or extending quotas to private sector.
