Manmohan Singh is first PM since Nehru to return into power after completing a full five year term. Hes also the first sikh to hold this office. His first five year as PM saw India growing in various sectors. UPA successfully completed the first year of its second term yest(May 22). But has the Govt been able to continue its policies in its 2nd term??? The UPA has so far had a rugged path in its second term. Inflation, recession, turbulence in aviation, tackling naxalism, 3g allocation etc has created only embarrasement to the Manmohan Singh govt. Agriculture is said to be India's backbone but UPA has some serious crisis in tht sector. Food inflation is sky rocketing touching a maximum of 19%. Wheat production has created records but still the production of other essential items like cereals hav been very low making the job of the Agri Minister much more difficult. The govt has estimated a shortage of 7% in food grain production which is gonna burden the common man. The last financial year saw a negative growth in agri sector. But the govt is taking steps by promoting seed banks etc. A notable achievement of UPA II is its much needed reforms in education. Dr.Singh has made primary education a fundamental right. But the biggest challenge is haw the govt is gonna implement this ambitious project. Its gonna require more trained teachers. It has also made class X exam optional thus reducing the burden of students. In the field of higher education UPA has decided to allow foreign universities into India. It is estimated tht India needs some 1500 more universities to provide higher education to all its citizens. Govt should ensure tht more and more ppl are enrolled every year and tht every citizen has some basic knowledge. Our FM is finding it extremely difficult to control rising food prices. In an effort to contain inflation, RBI recently hiked CRR rates. But even this has failed to contain inflation. Adding fuel to fire is the short fall in tax collection. But FM is banking on his tax policies to increase the inflow. The govt has given tax concessions to corporates instead of giving it to the common man. The telecom sector has been seeing turbulence in the past one year with the opposition parties accusing IT & Telecom minister to malpractices in auctioning of 3g and 2g spectrum. Though 3G spectrum earned a whopping 70k crores its said tht govt lost some 60k crores in 2G spectrum allocation. The Singh govt has ordered for an enquiry by the CBI. Aviation field has been seeing downs for the past one year post recession. Every single airline was reporting negative profits. They expected govt to announce a bailout plan but the govt bailed our state owned Air India alone. In the previous term Delhi and Mumbai airports were privatized in spite of opposition from many parties. But now even being comfortable in terms of nos in the Parliament, the govt is yet to go ahead with its privatization drive. No new announcements were made on green field airports. It would be correct if i say much of Aviation minister's time was devoted in reconstructing Air India. The biggest problem UPA has been facing is its policy in tackling naxalism. PC has been cricised for his way of handling naxals and maoists. Recently 75 CRPF jawans were killed in a naxal attack. Though the govt has been a bit successful in combating external threats, it seems tht it is still undecided on issues relating to maoists. It would be better if the Govt comes up with some better action plan before the ppl lose patience. UPA has been doing better in energy sector. Its biggest achievement would be the commence of crude oil production from Oil fields in Rajasthan and gas from KG basin. But the govt is yet to establish the Parikh Committee which recommends freeing fuel prices. The govt is planning to generate 80000MW of power in the 11th five year plan. Its a fact tht to achieve 9% growth, power and energy sector has to deliver. The govt has promised reforms in health sector which is yet to take shape. The govt is concentrating on infrastructure development. Highways minister wants to lay 20km of road every day. To achieve this the govt has been promoting Public-Private Partnerships. The govt plans to set up an 50000cr infrastructure fund to encourage private investment in the sector. The govt is keen in achieving its target. Although the Govt is not upto its expectations in many fields, one shouldnt forget the fact tht only one year is over and tht they hav 4 more years left. So lets hope the UPA performs better in the coming years and make India self sustained in every single field.
