Modi has rightfully delivered on giving India 'achhe din'

The promise of “achhe din” depends on the changes in the process of governance and policies. It is no magic wand to bring all-round transformation in one go.

The Modi government completes two years in office in May and its electoral promise of “achhe din aane wale hain” has been a "boon and affliction" for both its supporters and adversaries.

If we see the political history of independent India, there is no doubt that no government in the past has been subjected to such an "intellectual scrutiny" and "objective speculation" by academicians, scholars, analysts and public commentators. Perhaps, the "massive mandate" that it drew in the 2014 general elections is part of the reason.

However, the same treatment was not accorded to the "Rajiv Gandhi rule" in 1984, which fetched more seats compared to the Modi wave.

Great expectations

It is also true of the government that the margin of its victory in 2014 separates it from the polls of 1952, 1971, 1977,1984 and 1989.

The early victories of the Nehru-led Congress were a reflection of its "celebrity role" in political independence, while the 1977 polls were won by Indira Gandhi on the electoral rhetoric of "garibi hatao".

The massive mandate of 1984 to Rajiv was based on an "emotional sweep" that followed his mother's assassination, while the 1989 verdict was a response against the corruption and role of the highest leadership in the "Bofors scandal".

Before 2014, there was neven an "effective and competitive party system" that could present a "powerful alternative" to the other.

The "convergence of development and charismatic leadership" led by Modi in 2014 made it stand out among electoral battles.

Also, never before did the question of "development and growth" take centrestage in national electoral politics. Thus, it is inevitable that answers were sought much too early to the promises made by the PM in 2014.

The government's efforts need to be applauded in three broad areas, including economy, foreign policy and political governance - aimed at achieving Modi's promise of achhe din. In order to tackle the "policy paralysis" of the previous UPA government, the NDA has taken some sincere steps.

Infrastructure

The biggest "change of air and mood" has been in the infrastructure and allied sectors. The pace of "road construction" has risen from 8.5 kilometres a day during 2013-14 to 16.5 kms in 2015-16. The construction of national highway (NH) projects has risen from 3,500 km in 2013-14 to 10,000 kms in 2015-16. (Business Standard, May 8, 2016)

Till November 2015, projects for 5,331 km of National Highways have been awarded, while 3,480 km have been constructed (PIB, Review, 2015).

The government had recently announced that it would build a network of 1,000-km highway on a new alignment to link the "Chardham" at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore. This would also ensure that an alternative route is available during the monsoon when the main Chardham routes are thrown out of gear due by landslides. (The Tribune, November 30, 2015)

For administration of projects in far-flung areas, the ministry is considering "aircraft monitoring". The government is looking at "infusing funds equivalent to state equity" in order to revive some of the 83 projects.

In railways, the government plans to increase the average rate of "expansion of tracks" to 7.7km per day from 4.3km per day during the previous six years.  

This is backed by the modernisation of 400 major railway stations - including the expansion of Wi-Fi facilities, cleanliness drives, use of bio-toilets, efficient online booking, connectivity within the Northeast as well as key steps to improve the productivity of the railways.

In addition, the construction of dedicated eastern and western freight corridors of 1,305km and 1,499km, respectively, and laying of 1,875km-long new railway lines could be a "game changer". (Business Standard (BS) Editorial, May 8, 2016)

The Modi government has also allowed the railway ministry to form joint venture (JV) companies with state governments to mobilise resources for undertaking various rail infrastructure projects.

To provide better "inland activity and travel", the government declared 106 inland waterways as "national waterways", in addition to the existing six.

Moreover, the Centre's "Project Sagarmala" has prioritised port-led development to secure "better connectivity" and create "coastal economic zones". This adds up to the "maritime security" of India and its "strategic foothold" in the coastal neighbourhood.

In the power sector, the rate of "rural electrification" is much better owing to the app-based "online tracking system" GARV (Grameen Vidyutikaran).

Another key power project is the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), conceived to ensure "rapid electrification, feeder separation, and strengthening of rural distribution infrastructure".

Based on an "auction-based model" for coal mines, the government was able to add more than two lakh crores to its revenue basket. (The Hindu, August 14, 2015)

In addition, the Modi government decided in February 2016 that coal linkages to non-regulated sectors will be provided only through auction.

Solar power has also received a major boost under the present government with the addition of 1.5GW in 2015-16.

With the success of the Centre's UJALA scheme, the Modi government has completed the distribution of eight crore LED bulbs across 125 cities: “With the Distribution of 8 crore LED bulbs - achieved over a period of 12 months - has led to over 2.84 crore kWh of daily savings capable of lighting over 20 lakh homes for 365 days”, said the power ministry statement.

Economy

In a leg-up for the economy, the Modi government recently passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, which holds the key to revival and growth.

It comes as a radical economic policy relief for banks burdened with Non Performing Assets (NPAs) and seeks to reduce the "insolvency process", which includes companies, partnerships and limited liabilities.

On the political governance front, Modi government has been able to broaden the "social safety net" for the poor and expand the limits of "financial inclusion".

Under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), the extention of life insurance cover at a very low cost of investment is provided, while Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) is another step to ensure "economic guarantee" in case an earning member faces a permanent disability or dies an accidental death.

The schemes are aimed at converging social security with economic benefits. Under "Make in India", the government strives for an accelerated state of manufacturing and production based on requisite skills, investment and technology.

This, in turn, will lead to greater economic activity and the creation of more jobs for the youth.

Social welfare

On the issue of "gender justice", the expansion of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) to an additional 61 districts covering 11 more states is a significant step to downturn the prevailing trend of the declining child sex ratio.

Similarly, the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) offers to build upon "savings for the future of the girl child" to meet her life goals. The scheme offers tax benefits at the investment stage and tax-free proceeds.

The successful completion of "Operation Smile" under the ministry of home affairs (MHA) was a significant move to rescue 19,000 missing children from slavery and abuse. (The Economic Times, September 19, 2015)

The "declassification of the Bose files" has been an "enduring step" to realise the demands of "public discourse" and reveal the truth about India’s greatest patriot.

The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, based on the Aadhaar model, has been able to identify 16 million bogus ration cards and provides for more transparency and targeted identification of beneficiaries. The Centre also aims to cement principles of "fiscal federalism" with greater allocation for states in the Union tax revenues - from the current 32 to 42 per cent as recommended by the 14th finance commission (FFC) in its report.

Foreign policy

On the foreign policy front, PM Modi has made nearly 40 trips and hosted more than 30 heads of states, which reflects a "rising clout of our diplomacy and importance" in global affairs.

Diplomatic initiatives like the "act east policy" seek greater cooperation with eastern Asia and strengthen the "multifaceted relationship" with the ASEAN. Among significant achievements, the Modi government has pushed for a “South Asian brotherhood” through aid and accommodation, developing “privileged strategic partnership” with Russia, more “strategic convergence” with US, and the advancement of "multilateral institutional coordination" with partner countries under BRICS.

The above list alone is a compelling reason to trust the Modi government's desire to build upon the two-fold narrative of development - of catering to the needs of the "aspirational class" in India as well as empowering those living on the margins.

The expansion of the e-governance model with initiatives like "eSamikSha", offering real-time online tracking of decisions, are all a reflection of the leadership’s desire for better delivery of services with greater accountability and responsibility.

In sum, the efforts and policies of the Modi government remain "well defined and directed" based on key fundamental changes in governance and in confluence with the massive mandate for "national development and strong leadership" in 2014.

As the process unfolds, it is clear that the government will have much to offer in 2019 based on the promise of delivering upon achhe din. After all, change is a process that takes time to reach an end.