The Road to Development
As India’s longest-ever election draws near, the din is getting louder. And in this noise, several important questions are lost. Has UPA 2 really given the country nothing except mega scams? Has the Centre turned a blind eye to the needs of people in states? What is the economic model of BJP that is being touted as the cure for all economic ills? It was to tackle these questions that Union Minister of IT and Communications Kapil Sibal and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje took the stage at the India Today Conclave. They may represent opposing political ideologies but both are among their parties’ brightest stars and most accomplished speakers. Excerpts from their engaging conversation: ON UPA’s WORK Sibal I don’t know whether what we have done in the last 10 years, which is phenomenal, has actually impacted people. I don’t know if people realise that, for instance, from 1950 to 2004, we built only 15 universities, but in the 10 years since, we have built 14. Raje He says we have done well in education but as far as Rajasthan is concerned, the dropout rate has risen. They announced three universities for us but they are still not on ground. ON SUBSIDIES Sibal If BJP-ruled states are giving food to the poor at Re 1, why are you saying we should not be giving it at Rs 3? I don’t understand this criticism. Raje When the states are already giving food, why are you wasting the nation’s money? Don’t duplicate the scheme. Also, one size doesn’t fit all. What Assam needs and what Rajasthan needs are different, and sitting in Delhi, you can’t know that. ON MODINOMICS Sibal Modinomics, according to me, is giving land to Gautam Adani so he can fund your poll campaign. Raje In BJP-run states, roads have been built, electricity is available, farmers are finding markets and businesses are coming in droves. Ambassadors from different countries are coming to Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and now to Rajasthan. This obviously is happening in states that have allowed growth to take place. Sibal Gujarat is seventh in the country as far as attracting FDI is concerned. Yet, everybody says businesses are coming to Gujarat like nowhere else. Delhi gets more FDI than Gujarat. In fact, Gujarat isn’t No.1 in anything—it’s 14th in education, it’s probably among the three states with most malnutrition. Raje Modi can’t wave a wand and give 100 per cent in every single field, but what he has done has certainly made a difference to his people.