O J’s Corner

Everyone wants power and pelf,
Does not want key decisions made

It is a pity the Central Government is squirming about key issues remaining unresolved. The Congress Party, at least a majority of the leadership, wants to sign the India-US nuclear treaty. The prestige of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is at stake. He cannot face the international crowd of world leaders, particularly of the developed nations variety, without loss of face. Even China would not like India to renege on an international commitment. The Communists are not bothered about what happens to Manmohan Singh or Congress. They shout from the roof-top that they don’t want the BJP to come back to power. But their present posture would only help the BJP get the reins on a platter. It seems at every stage of the negotiations held with the US, the Communists were briefed one way or other. They would only say: “We will see”. Now they have seen to it.

The Congress would have upset the applecart of UPA governance now. But unprecedented inflation, which is mostly the result of booming price of petroleum products, is pulling it back. Prices of essential commodities have gone up and these are a burden on everyone, particularly the poor people. The government should supply rice and wheat through the public distribution system. It should also devise ways to see that the open market is flooded with rice and wheat. Prices would then come down. There is no point in keeping unnecessary quantities of rice and wheat. People used to find fault with the irregularities in the rationing system. There were cogent allegations that rice and wheat, to be distributed through the PDS, were diverted and sold in the open market. It was illegal, but there was a philosophy of macro economics involved. The diverted materials were being sold in the open market one way or other. That food materials were available in the open market would hold the priceline.

Now the MPs and their parties are wracking their brains as to how to hold on. It is okay for anyone to argue that there should be stability. But what is this stability? We cannot be the laughing stock in the international community. If we don’t sign the nuke agreement, and there are ostensible repercussions, then also the Communists would blame others.
Decisions should be taken in the interest of the people, come what may.