To usher in true ‘poribartan’, positive intent backed by solid groundwork must form the bedrock of TMC’s development plans
The BJP juggernaut has finally been reined in by a one-woman army. Although the TMC has earned the people’s mandate for a third successive term with an impressive majority, there is precious little time for jubilation. There are several onerous challenges for the State government, which have to be tackled head-on.
The first and foremost is the pandemic. The consequences of the mega election rallies sans the Covid protocols are already threatening and will have the administration literally gasping for breath. The creaking healthcare infrastructure in the State will have to be ramped up on a war footing. Mere rhetoric will not suffice for the direly imperative need for ventilators, oxygen cylinders, life-sustaining drugs, ICU beds and other medical paraphernalia.
Efficient Covid management, coupled with expeditious vaccination drive, has to be accorded top priority. All the elected MLAs can be assigned the task of monitoring its progress in their constituencies.
After a decade-long rule, Didi has the arduous task of cleansing her Augean stables of the deadwood, tainted, loudmouths, crass opportunists, habitual mischief-mongers and history-sheeters. The charges of nepotism and money laundering against some of her party members and even her own kith and kin need to be thoroughly probed to demonstrate her sincere intentions before a discerning public.
Moreover, after being in power for two five-year terms, the TMC can no longer afford to be a one-woman show. Excessive centralisation of powers and decision-making in a single authority has often proved to be detrimental to the long-term existence of several parties. It is highly imperative that the second and third line of leadership be put in place so that there is no leadership vacuum in the foreseeable future.
Contrary to her assertions from time to time, the ‘brain drain’ from Bengal continues unabated. So much so that the mega cities in the State have earned the sobriquet of enclaves of senior citizens, with their off-springs charting their destinies in distant lands.
‘Business Summits’ have become an annual charade without any tangible gains in the form of sizable capital inflows and new ventures. The need of the hour is to create suitable industrial and technological infrastructure, backed by a conducive, industry-friendly environment, to facilitate the reverse migration of trained and educated workforce. Simultaneously, the closed jute mills and industries, which were once the pride of the nation, must be revived.
Labour militancy, honed to perfection during the 34-year Leftist rule, has resulted in the flight of capital and skilled workforce. Herculean efforts are required to restore business confidence. This envisions the drawing up of time-bound action plans and timely implementation.
To usher in a new and vibrant Bengal, Mamata has to bring about a revolutionary change in work ethics. To her credit, she has been partly successful in curbing the ‘bandh’ culture in the State. But government offices and state undertakings need a drastic overhaul. They must be seen to be delivering public good. The public delivery of essentials and services has to be scaled up considerably to usher in a perceptible change in governance.
This calls for the extermination of ‘Syndicate-cum-Extortion Raj’ once and for all. Annual doleouts to clubs should be rationalised on the basis of their welfare activities rather than the political patronage of their mentors. Didi also needs to have an image changeover from a political firebrand to a suave politician, who minces no words for the right cause.
Bengal’s political scenario has been besmirched by periodic bouts of violence between political rivals owing allegiance to different parties. The mindless violence unleashed during the 2018 panchayat polls left a deep scar on the rural political landscape, And now, the post-poll violence. Such incidents dampen investor sentiments. Wherever required, she has to wield the baton to keep the hotheads and loudmouths in check.
Transboundary river issues and the Teesta water sharing dispute remain a festering sore in an otherwise amicable Indo-Bangladesh relation. In 2011, as per the agreement signed by the Joint Rivers Commission, India had agreed to share 37.5% of Teesta waters while retaining 42.5% for the lean season between December and March. However, this was vehemently opposed by Mamata on the grounds that if implemented, it will be disastrous for northern Bengal and its farmers.
While Bangladesh has been harping on the need for a fair and equitable distribution of Teesta waters, Mamata had mooted a counter-proposal in 2017 for sharing of the waters of other river systems, viz Torsa, Raidak and Sankosh. However, there has been no tangible progress amidst latent anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh. Mamata must closely coordinate with the Central government and display her statesmanship to arrive at a workable solution. The ‘Golden Era’ in Indo-Bangla relations should be gainfully utilised for an early resolution of the most vexing issue between the two neighbours.
Lastly, the State finances are in dire straits. The ever-ballooning fiscal deficit was estimated at Rs 31,483 crore in March 2021 and the outgo on loan repayments is likely to be a whopping 43% of revenue receipts. Given this precarious condition, Mamata has a daunting task ahead to marshal the resources for funding the numerous doles and freebies announced in her election manifesto.
Revenue accretions are also likely to fall short of the target owing to the prolonged prevalence of the pandemic and resultant shutdowns in economic activities. This will pose insurmountable problems for the State with little leeway for austerity measures and cost-cutting exercises.
As a mark of protest against the partition of Bengal in 1905, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore had penned the immortal lyrics ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ (My Golden Bengal). In this timeless ode to his motherland, the bard had paid glowing tributes to the nurturing mother and eulogised the endless abundance of her riches, captivating beauty and idyllic landscape.
To usher in ‘poribartan’ in the real sense and ensure that it does not remain confined to the poetic realm of Tagore, positive intent backed by solid groundwork must form the bedrock of TMC’s development plans. To make an earnest beginning in this direction, the government’s policies and style of functioning have to necessarily change for the better. Mamata has her tasks cut out amidst a growing funds crunch and ever-rising public expectations.
(The author is a freelance journalist based in New Delhi)
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