There is a “dangerous” trend occurring in India right now where the role of the state in society is being increased which could lead to “heavy consequences”, former BJP member Arun Shourie warned on Sunday, adding that this was undoing past reforms that have always been to reduce the role of the state in Indian society.
Mr. Shourie also argued against reservation in government jobs, saying that it was resulting in top positions being occupied by people selected due to their birth, adding that this was putting India at a disadvantage in relation to countries like China. “In India, the state apparatus is the diseased part of our society,” Mr. Shourie said, while speaking at a summit organised by Tomorrow’s India.
“Our society is much healthier, more creative and resilient than the state. So, the theme of reforms since the early 1990s has been to reduce the role of the state. And one of the most dangerous things that is happening today is that the role of the state is being increased.”
“It is a reversal of the basic foundational ideas of reforms, and we will pay heavy consequences for this because you are again introducing the dead hand of the state in one activity after the other,” Mr. Shourie added.
Against reservation
The economist also said that reservation was not the way forward to prepare India and Indians for the future. “Panditji (Jawaharlal Nehru) had rightly said that in that way (reservation) lies not only folly but disaster,” Mr. Shourie said.
“You have a situation in which one half of the seniormost posts in the government and governmental enterprises will be given not on the basis of the education for your job but because of your birth. ”
“There are many things wrong with the Americans, but one of their most distinguishing features is that rewards are proportional to effort,” he added. “In India, that is not the case. Often it is if I know a Minister or official, the businessmen depend on that more than their own excellence.”