The Hindu : Poll promises

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 26, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Poll promises

Sir, — When the country has huge stocks of foodgrain, we see people dying of hunger because of inadequate public distribution and exports. When we sell profit-making PSUs, how can we generate employment? Instead of making new promises, political parties could implement their earlier manifestos.

G. Maharaja Kumar,
Chennai

Sir, — Instead of talking about its own plans and policies, the Congress in its manifesto has concentrated more on the BJP's failures. It also lacks confidence in its own approach, giving rise to the accusation that it is adopting soft Hindutva. The party should talk more about its half-filled glass than draw attention to the BJP's half-empty one.

Ajay Kumar,
New Delhi

Sir, — The assumption in the Congress manifesto that an 8 to10 per cent economic growth can be achieved by "widening and deepening" reforms seems far-fetched.

Since the percentage of domestic savings continues to remain low, the gap in the availability of investment funds has to be filled by foreign direct investment and borrowings. Will further economic reforms increase FDI flows to 10 per cent or more of the GDP? Even the most optimistic supporters of reforms may not think so.

K. Vijayakumar,
Bangalore

Sir, — Population explosion is the biggest hurdle to development. But all the parties refrain from referring to this vital issue because it will affect their vote bank. The advocacy of the two-child norm in election meetings by L.K. Advani is a bold and laudable approach. Political parties must address this issue during electioneering if they want India to become a developed country in 2020.

P. Jeya Dhas,
Colachel, T.N.

Sir, — This refers to Mr. Advani's statement that the two-child norm should be enforced. Merely by barring a person with more than two children from holding public office and government jobs, how can economic development be ensured? Such things cannot be forced on people; they should be educated suitably.

Tanjore Ganesh,
Thanjavur, T.N.

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