Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Commission for Business and Industry Growth and Development (CBIGD)

 Commission for Business and Industry Growth and Development (CBIGD)

There are thoughts to change the terms of reference of the Planning Commission as the institution has outlived its useful and productive function in an economy which is less controlled, less socialistic and less homogeneous across states in terms plans and activities  designed  and approved by it for development of the states and industrial development of the country.

Whatever the faults with the Nehruvian vision for the Planning Commission as a copy of the Soviet plan system its achievements have been dismal and its negative impact as a controlling all knowing authoritarian agency of the central government directly reporting to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Nehru was of course in love or or I say say infatuated with the Soviet Socialism like lovers sometimes do.

India has achieved a lot since its Independence in 1947 but it has been held back significantly by giving excessively larger role to the public sector and only a very minor role to the private sector. Even now many politicians and civil servants mistrust and suppress the private sector generally and big business particularly. The entire focus and importance must be reversed if India wants to grow and develop.

Then there is the Finance Commission which actually allocates central funds to states to implement their plans or Planning Commission approved plans.  Finally actual allocation of the budget is under the control of the Finance Minister which levies taxes and funds everything.
There is inconsistent and overlapping efforts without any synchronizing among the three major bodies controlling allocation of finance within the government at the center and states.

It is good idea to let the new CBIGD retain its data collection,  research and analysis function  and create a new bigger division to focus on business and industry growth and development across the country working closely with the  Industry, IT, Technology, Agriculture, Health, Education and other ministries which themselves could be reorganized to give much more importance and role to the private sector to develop businesses and industries in each state and district.

CBIGD could also be an implementing agency to make huge investment in infrastructure to move the economy and create jobs and incomes instead of handouts, invest in roads, transportation systems-land, water, air;  electricity, gas and oil, cleaning up and connecting  rivers, public trash collection, public toilets, sewer systems, recycling and purifying water, etc. Each of these could be managed by divisions to oversee their construction simultaneously as these are all mutually exclusive projects.

A subway system in Chennai, an airport in Jhunjhunu, cleaning up of the Ganga, Setting up public toilets, sewer systems in different cities, ... can happen at the same time under competent technicians and managers who will make the ministers and MPs very smart and productive  to their constituents.

Looking back five years from mow we could appreciate wonderful achievements under such a system. If the Planning Commission remains as is then nothing much will have happened. So it is imperative that the Narendra Modi government creates something like CBIGD as a true growth and development agency of India.

No comments:

Post a Comment