Thorough discussion in parliament:Needed for Lokpal but not for FDI in Retail?

The latest act of the UPA-2 govt, which might have potentially far reaching consequences is allowing the FDI in multi brand retail. I have been hearing the argument that almost is "More FDI means reforming the economy for good". One can not say FDI is always good or always bad. It is not a white or black question. Whether it benefits the nation or not depends on the context. Sadly the kind or discourse set in this nation is that people who are for FDI are progressive and those against it are regressive.

FDI when introduced in multi brand retail can have far reaching consequences. Such a move requires threadbare discussion and debate, which unfortunately is missing. UPA-2 govt, had repeatedly said that an important institution of the parliament can not be bypassed or forced into making an important legislation like Lokpal without proper discussion and debate. The same Govt when it comes to FDI in retail, thinks otherwise.

I somehow see a similar pattern between the nuclear deal in 2008 to the current situation. Back then, anyone who opposed the nuclear deal was portrayed as a person who is unpatriotic, regressive etc. The media played a big role in shooting down the dissent and differing view point. I doubt if the media would be any different this time around.

A couple of articles in the foreign media appear criticizing the prime minister about the tragic state of affairs and surprisingly it spurns the PM and the Govt into action(which hardly cared about the resentment in this nation). Is there more arm twisting behind the scene than what is visible?

The message going out from this GOVT is "We value and remember democratic values and institutions ONLY when it will help our political objectives"

A short letter to Teflon Manmohan Singh

Oh Dear Teflon coated Dr Manmohan Singh,

How much more can you and your government stoop. You played the role of Dritharashtra, when government has become an engine for ways to get quick undeserved money ,business etc.. Is monetary quid pro quo the only kind of corruption? Isn't quid pro quo of other kinds not corruption? You let your comrades plunder the national wealth. The quid pro quo was to let you continue as the prime minister of this nation. Does your conscience really permit you to claim that you are not corrupt?

Now to tide over the current political difficulties, you and your comrade in arms come up with one more blunder called 'quota in promotions'. The same Manmohan who talked for overhauling the government delivery system to improve governance is now driving 'quota in promotions'. Read more. Compare this with how some of your predecessors behaved. There was immense pressure on Mr Vajpayee during his tenure for reservations in judiciary and private sector. He politely did side step these demands, which would have debilitated this nation. Read more. This is not an isolated incident. Did your govt not use the same quota trick to create confusion and stall the Lokpal bill a few months back? How is quota related to Lokpal bill? Read more

You have taken the pat for economic reforms in the 90's. You have been the prime minister of this nation since 2004. There hardly is any economic reform to boast of. I hope people would realize that taking economic reforms forward, requires more than a bureaucrat at the helm of the affairs. Leaders like P.V.Narasimha Rao, Vajpayee are needed for that.

The tide is against UPA-2. The more you try to resuscitate the situation by resorting to cheap tricks, the more it will boomerang. I would like to end this short letter with a famous saying "Vinashakale Vipreet Buddhi"