What India wants from NDA 2.0

India is a unique country in every right. The size, population, diversity and range of problems is more than entire continents.

And managing such a diverse country with its unique set of challenges is no easy task.

The Narendra Modi led NDA government took on a country in rather poor shape in 2014, and set to make amends in the way it deemed right.

While progress has been made on several accounts, there are still lot many challenges team Modi faces in their 2.0 avatar, and here’s some of the key factors which we think will define the progress our country makes over the next 5 years-

1. Make in India to really kick off

So far unfortunately, it has been more of a mantra and the possibilities are immense on this front. What it will bring is lots of employment, inflow of foreign funds and a boost to the economy.

With trade tensions between US and China simmering, India can really position itself as a global powerhouse competitive to China when it comes to manufacturing.

Cheap availability of land and labour are some of the key positives for India in this regard.

But what it needs is simpler rules for setting up, providing necessary infrastructure to industry and clear tax guidelines, which the government needs to get in prime focus.

2. Major agrarian reforms

The farmers of this country get very poor returns on their produce, while the end consumers end up paying rather high prices while purchasing at their local markets. The scenario can be changed with investments in supply chain and education of farmers.

Agriculturalists do not require farm loan waivers, they need to learn how to maximize their produce and get best value for it. Right quality products also open up the possibility of exports and generating additional foreign exchange for the country.

3. Improve quality of education and healthcare

Really these are fundamental pillars for any economy. The fact that our top universities don’t rank anywhere in the world is rather shameful, but even on a more basic level, education is a must in order to get people out of poverty and empower them.

Free education and healthcare, especially in rural and semi-urban India is the need of the hour and an investment in the future that the government must make.

4. Economic Reforms

While GST was a step in the right direction, a lot more needs to be done to simplify the tax regimes and try to widen the tax base without burdening the few tax payers. Consolidation of PSU entities is another necessity, plus sector specific initiatives may be required in several places, especially the financial services segment.

But no more demonetisation type shocks to the economy please.

5. Infrastructure Boost

Roads, ports, airports, highways, railway lines still need a big uplift and the government spending more on these sectors will result in a boost to the economy at large and also in improving the image of the country globally. It is the need of the hour, even if fiscal prudence takes a back seat in the short term as they are investments in the future.

Some foreign investment and technological knowhow has also come into the country in this segment, and we are hopeful of seeing a major turnaround over the next 5 years.

And most important of all the slogan of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ really needs to be put into practice. The political class need to tide over some of their personal differences and work towards the progress of this country. A clean corruption free government, with strong and transparent policies and sensible partnerships between the state and the centre will set us on the right growth path for the next 5 years, which could shape the country for years to come.