In India, the lack of foolproof project implementation systems (?Priorities for the forthcoming Budget?, Jan 16) is a real and present concern. Earlier, the finance minister, too, has expressed his inability to control implementation mechanisms. In the forthcoming Budget, why not give priority to schemes or incentives that could make for implementation success? Experience gained in schemes like NREGS might give the FM the required tools.
?Jacob Sahayam, Thiruvananthapuram
Just another Bric?
No doubt, good governance sans corruption is necessary for India to see growth in productivity (?Good governance must be recipe for 2008?, Jan 14). According to Jim O?Neill, head of Goldman Sachs?s global economic research unit, India is the weakest link in the Bric chain because it has fared poorly on indicators of productivity and clean governance. If India has larger proportions of the population that are sick or illiterate, it cannot fare well on productivity scores.
?P Senthil Saravana Durai, Hyderabad
Surrogate badge
Demands by mature politicians for Bharat Ratnas for their partymen have set a bad precedent. An honour is not something that is handed out on political demand.
?Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi