Author: India Writes Network

PM needs to focus on infrastructure for growth

- by India Writes Network

While India is one of the fastest growing economies in the worldtoday, a major obstacle for sustaining its real GDP growth has been the lack of adequate infrastructure, which can support the growth process. Low levels of public investment have made India’s physical infrastructure incompatible and without improving the rate of infrastructure investment, the overall growth rate would remain modest. Therefore, there has been a growing emphasis by the Government of India to mobilise infrastructure investments to the tune of$1 trillion during the 12th plan (2012-17) across sectors such as roads, railways, seaports, airports, power, telecom, water and irrigation of which 50% is expected to come from the private sector in the form of both debt and equity. However, there is a realisation that expecting private sector to contribute nearly 50 per cent to the total infrastructure deficit is a stiff ask given that there are lack of bankable projects and mistrust between the private and government sector.

The 11th FYP had projected investment requirements in infrastructure to be about $514 billion. This target was doubled in the 12th FYP to nearly $ 1 trillion highlighting that GDP growth averaging 9% per year can be achieved only if this infrastructure deficit can be overcome. It was opined that domestic savings can contribute significantly to boosting infrastructure investment. However these savings have to be intermediated into infrastructure to achieve these targets.

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India unveils 5-year plan for modernisation of railways, no fare hike

- by India Writes Network

India’s Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has unveiled a multi-pronged plan for the transformation and modernisation of the Indian railways, the backbone of the nation’s economy.

“Over the next five years, the Railway has to go through a transformation,” Mr Prabbhu said. The chartered accountant-turned-politician underlined his key four goals as cleanliness, safety, modernization of infrastructure and making the railways financially self-sustainable. “We have to make Indian Railways a benchmark organisation in safety, security and infrastructure.”

“There will be no hike in railway passenger fares. We will focus on improving passenger amenities,” the minister said.

Here are some highlights of Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu’s rail budget speech, the first rail budget presented by the BJP-led NDA government.

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Good news for spouses of US H-1B visa holders

- by India Writes Network

Reinforcing its credentials as a nation of immigrants, the US has announced that it will provide work permits to spouses of H1B visa holders, triggering much rejoicing among Indian-American community.

This policy step will benefit thousands of high-skilled Indian spouses who migrate to America, but are not eligible to work under current immigration policies.

The move has been welcomed by Indian- Americans. “This decision is going to directly affect many of our life members as they would now be able to join the professional workforce and chase the American Dream,” the Telugu Association of North America said in a statement.

According to official estimation, the number of people eligible to apply for employment authorisation could be as high as 179,600 in the first year and 55,000 annually in subsequent years. US State Department statistics show that almost 76 per cent of those who received H-4 status in 2013 were from South Asian countries.

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India concerned over Maldives crisis, MDP pitches for Delhi’s mediation

- by India Writes Network

With the political crisis in the Maldives deepening, India has expressed concerns over the “arrest and mishandling” of former President Mohamed Nasheed as the leading opposition party pitched for India’s intervention.
The Maldives government on February 24 vigorously defended the arrest of Mr Nasheed on terrorism charges and accused him of performing “stunts” to grab global attention.
The latest crisis in the troubled Indian Ocean island nation poses a tricky diplomatic situation for India, coming as it does barely weeks before India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Male around mid-March. India has vital stakes in peace and stability in the Maldives, which is being ardently courted by China. China’s President Xi Jinping visited Maldives and managed to sell the idea of Maritime Silk Road to the Indian Ocean atoll nation, better known for its coral blue pristine islands frequented by tourists and honeymooning couples.

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India on diplomatic offensive, showcases pluralism, minorities’ welfare

- by India Writes Network

Stung by accusations of the growing religious intolerance in India, the Modi government has gone on a diplomatic offensive and told a global terror meet in the US that the traditional notion of minorities is not valid in the Indian context. The government underlined that it has been proactively addressing issues relating to their social, cultural and political integration.
Stressing on vibrant pluralism of Indian society and polity, R.N. Ravi, chairman of a joint intelligence committee and head of the Indian delegation to an international conference hosted by the White House on terrorism, highlighted that India is home to over 180 million Muslims in India, the world’s second largest Muslim population after Indonesia. He also drew attention to the recent peaceful Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir with 65% voter turnout, and stressed that no Indian has been found participating in “violent Pan Islamist groups” to prove that Indian Muslims have faith in the country.

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India bats for UNSC seat, warns against selective approach to terror

- by India Writes Network

In a biting critique of the undemocratic functioning of the UN Security Council, India has accused permanent members of the UNSC of picking and choosing the UN principles to suit their own national interests and of being selective in dealing with terrorism. “It is ironical that calls for democracy and the rule of law are being made in a Council that itself embodies the undemocratic stranglehold of the privileges of a few, forged by a wartime alliance that no longer exists,” India’s Ambassador to the UN Ashoke Kumar Mukerji said in New York on February 23.

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