GOVERNMENTS are famous for producing their own report cards when they cross 100 days in office or a complete a year. Hence the assessment of the Modi Government’s performance is not a novelty. What has raised the temperature of the nation is because there were high expectations from Narendra Modi since he had promised growth, minimum government and maximum governance, Acche Din and a slew of other slogans. One year may be a short period in the life of a nation but for a government one year is a quarter of its five year tenure. There are different views on the performance of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government’s first full-year in the Centre.
India’s poor economic growth and high domestic inflation between April 2011 and May 2014 had visibly shrunk opportunities for this country. Secondly, increased domestic consumption and high GDP growth in India could change the economic outlook of both the country and the world. India’s economic stability and growth means a lot to the world, especially after China’s economy showing signs of stress and slow-down. In all fairness, the Narendra Modi government, which was elected to rule the country a year ago, has more than met the expectations. India’s economic weightage is now the highest ever assigned to any emerging market. International rating agencies have predicted that India would surpass China’s economic growth rate by the end of 2015-16.
Internationally too Modi seems to have made a mark and improved foreign relations with most countries of the world, including China although it is too early to assess the concessions gained from the hectic foreign trips, just yet. Nevertheless, there is a sense that India is making the right overtures to countries that were hitherto not in our diplomatic radar. Within the country, there are murmurs that files are stuck with the PMO and important decisions, such as appointments of heads of important institutions including those of Vice Chancellors of several universities are pending thereby creating an administrative and leadership vacuum. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir has deteriorated and Central Government has refused to take a call at some of the blatant acts of treason of Kashmiri separatists. These are worrying factors and Modi would do well to set his house in order rather than conquer the world.
