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<ul><li>New deal saved 2.86% for the Indian exchequer, says India's federal auditor.</li><li>Latest report tabled in the Parliament will help Modi in fighting corruption charges from the opposition.</li><li>Opposition had hoped to corner the Modi government over the controversial defence deal.</li></ul> The Narendra Modi government struck a better deal than the Congress, that's the verdict from the <keyword id="6379775" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Comptroller-and-Auditor-General-of-India">Comptroller and Auditor General of India</keyword> (CAG), the country's federal auditor, which tabled its report on the controversial 2015 deal to buy 36 Rafale jets from French company Dassault, according to news reports. "Compared to the 126 aircraft deal, India managed to save 17.08% money for the India-specific enhancements in the 36 Rafale contract," news agency ANI said, adding that,"the delivery schedule of the first 18 Rafale aircraft is better than the one proposed in the 126 aircraft deal, by five months." However, the full price of the jets have been redacted in the report based on the insistence of the Defence Ministry citing the Indo-French agreement of 2008 and the provisions of inter-government agreement, another news agency IANS reported. In April 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that India will buy 36 French-manufactured Rafale fighter jets off-the-shelf. This was a departure from the original plan, under the previous regime, under which India would buy 18 off-the-shelf jets and another 108 would be assembled by the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited or HAL in Bengaluru. Modi , however, intervened and decided to buy 36 "ready-to-fly" fighters instead of trying to acquire technology from Dassault and make it in India. "A Defence Ministry team in March 2015 recommended the scrapping of the 126 Rafale deal saying that Dassault Aviation was not the lowest bidder and EADS (European Aeronautic Defence &amp; Space Company) was not fully compliant with the tender requirements," the CAG report said according to ANI. The opposition parties had cornered the incumbent Modi government alleging that the ₹590 billion deal was more expensive and it included kickbacks. It was also said that the deal was made to help Anil Ambani, whose Reliance Naval and Engineering was reportedly brought in to support Dassault. Both entities have denied this. Modi also faced a direct <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/1093733762104524800/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1093733762104524800&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindustantimes.com%2Findia-news%2Fdefence-ministry-note-proves-pm-bypassed-negotiations-with-france-on-rafale-deal-rahul%2Fstory-EUd4UAbFWTQ9lX6XODsLkM.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">charge</a> after news reports revealed that the Prime Minister's Office had intervened in the deal negotiations and in fact, dismissed the apprehensions of its own Defence Ministry. The latest report from CAG will be a big blessing for Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will be seeking re-election in the upcoming summer. However, the opposition was already prepared. Prior to the release of the report, the Congress party had pre-emptively dismissed the findings of the report, explaining that Rajiv Mehrishi, the current Comptroller and Auditor General of India, took part in the deal’s negotiations.

CAG report on Rafale deal is a blessing for Modi government

French companies will invest $10 billion in India over the next five years, chiefly in the industrial sector, Finance Minister Michel Sapin said on Monday during a visit by President Francois Hollande to India. 
 
"Over the last five years, French companies have invested more than $1 billion per year in India," Sapin said in a speech to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi. 
 
"We estimate that they will continue to invest at least $10 billion over the next five years." 
 
Hollande, invited as guest of honour for India's Republic Day celebrations, hopes to seal an intergovernmental deal that would pave the way for the sale of 36 Rafale combat jets made by Dassault Aviation. 
 As part of that deal, there would be significant "offsets", or related French investments that <keyword id="6354814" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="prime-minister-Narendra-Modi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword> hopes will support his "Make in India" initiative to develop the manufacturing sector. 
 
"The majority of these investments are meant for the industrial sector, which makes France the major player in Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' programme," Sapin said. 
 
(Image: PIB)

French firms to invest $10 billion in India

Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> on Friday raised the issue of deadly <keyword id="9415025" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Galwan-Valley-clash">Galwan Valley clash</keyword> between India and China troops, scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir state's special status, and even the <keyword id="4650805" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="pulwama-Attack">Pulwama attack</keyword> in order to woo Bihar voters ahead of the Assembly elections. Addressing his first-ever rally in Sasaram's Biada Maidan ahead of the elections, Modi said: "The sons of Bihar lost their lives in the Galwan Valley for the sake of the Tricolour and ensured that Mother India's head is held high. Bihar's jawans were also martyred in the Pulwama attack (in February 2019). I bow my head at their feet and pay my respects." Many Bihar Regiment jawans had bravely fought and laid down their lives in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15. He then referred to Congress leaders' recent statement that it will bring back <keyword id="405091" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Article-370">Article 370</keyword> in erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, which his government had scrapped on August 5 last year. "After saying this, they dare to seek votes from Bihar. Is it not an insult of Bihar? The state that sends its sons and daughters to the borders in order to protect the country." Earlier, Modi began his speech by paying respects to two Bihar leaders who recently passed away -- Ram Vilas Paswan and RJD's Raghuvansh Prasad Singh. The latter had resigned from the party before his death. Taking a potshot at the Rashtriya Janata Dal without naming them, he said that those who once ruled Bihar are now again looking at the "developing state with their greedy eyes". But Bihar, he added, would not forget who pushed them back. He brought up the issue of Bihar's worsening law and order and corruption in the past, in a seeming reference to Lalu Prasad's rule and the fodder scam. Asserting that Bihar was well on its way to development, he said that the era of 'lantern', the electoral symbol of the RJD, was over. He also pointed to the opposition to the three central agricultural laws and alleged that the same stemmed from efforts to "protect the middlemen" just like the opposition "was speaking their language" during the Rafale controversy. Attacking the RJD and the Congress, he said that as the Gujarat Chief Minister, he witnessed how the Centre then "wasted" 10 years of Bihar after their defeat. He added that to make India self-reliant, Bihar needs to vote for the National Democratic Alliance. Modi praised the steps taken by the Bihar government to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the state. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, also present on the occasion, was full of praise for Modi's "leadership". Kumar said that if his government returned to power in Bihar, it would focus on the availability of irrigation facilities and benefits of latest technology in every village. Multiple stages are set up during Bihar's electoral rallies by the NDA to ensure physical distancing, with efforts to arrange chairs on the podiums at a distance for the crowd. Those who thronged the rally maintained social distance norms and wore masks. The Prime Minister's first rally in this Bihar poll season witnessed an enthusiastic crowd that cheered continuously. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/isro-finds-that-mars-is-losing-its-atmosphere-faster-than-earth-and-planet-encircling-dust-storms-are-speeding-up-the-process/articleshow/78824049.cms">ISRO finds that Mars is losing its atmosphere faster than Earth, and planet-encircling dust storms are speeding up the process</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/trump-calls-india-china-and-russia-filthy-while-justifying-exit-from-paris-agreement/articleshow/78821267.cms">Trump calls India, China and Russia ‘filthy’ while justifying exit from Paris Agreement</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/paytm-uses-jeff-bezos-secret-for-success-building-two-pizza-teams/articleshow/78810520.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Paytm uses Jeff Bezos' secret for success — building 'two pizza' teams</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tech-mahindra-may-show-signs-of-recovery-in-the-second-quarter-much-depends-on-5g-and-bpo-business-outlook/articleshow/78807765.cms">Tech Mahindra may show signs of recovery in the second quarter — much depends on 5G and BPO business outlook</a>

Modi raises Galwan Valley clash, Article 370 and Pulwama attack in first Bihar rally

<ul><li>India’s President’s address was full of praises for <keyword id="6387077" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi-government">Narendra Modi government</keyword>. </li><li>However, some of the accolades may be exaggerated or not in sync with facts.</li></ul>Ram Nath Kovind, India’s President for eighteen months, took the lead to give the country’s Parliament a report card on behalf of the four-and-a-half year old Narendra Modi government. Kicking off the <keyword id="105431" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-session">budget session</keyword> of Parliament, Kovind, in a speech that lasted over an hour, gave a glowing tribute to the incumbent government that will be seek re-election in less than 100 days from now. The following are some of the highlights of Kovind’s laudatory speech, each followed by facts that may question the President’s conviction about the Modi government’s performance. 1. “Compromising with security needs is not in interest of present &amp; future of country. New deals in last year, purchase of defence equipment raised morale of defence. After decades, Indian Air Force will use ultramodern Rafale aircraft in coming months &amp; strengthen itself.” The government auditor – the Comptroller and Auditor General of India – is yet to <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/india/only-3-copies-of-cags-rafale-report-likely-to-reveal-pricing-details-parliament-may-get-redacted-version-2018409.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">submit</a> its report on the government’s deal to purchase 36 Rafale aircraft for an undisclosed sum of money. Giving a clean chit to the government on the <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-rafale-deal-controversy/jet-set-go/slideshow/65079741.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">alleged irregularities</a> may be premature. 2. “Youth are the greatest strength of our nation. India has the largest number of young people in the world, and the policy decisions of my Government have been inspired by the aspirations and dreams of young Indians of 21st century.” The President said this on the day a report revealed that employment in the Indian economy was at its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/unemployment-in-india-is-at-its-highest-in-45-years-says-an-indian-daily-citing-an-undisclosed-jobs-survey/articleshow/67769020.cms">worst</a> in 45 years, a labour survey that the government has not made public yet. 3. “GST has benefited businesses by bringing in more honesty and transparency." In December 2018, the All India Manufacturers’ Organisation (AIMO), <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-micro-and-small-enterprises-saw-a-whopping-32-drop-in-jobs-in-the-last-4-years-survey/articleshow/67123219.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">said</a> small businesses across the country lost over 3.5 million job losses since 2014. The job losses were attributed to a 70% drop in operational profits in the MSME sector since 2014, according to K E Raghunathan, president of AIMO. 4. “By decreasing the burden of income tax and keeping the rate of inflation under control, the government has created new opportunities for expanding the savings of the middle class.” Despite the government’s best intentions, the “current (consumer) sentiment on the general economic situation dipped further into the pessimistic zone” – this is the finding from a consumer confidence <a href="https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=18729"></a><a href="https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=18729" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">survey</a> conducted in six Indian cities by the Reserve Bank of India. In fact, the consumer confidence is at its lowest it has been since Modi government took charge. Indeed inflation has been low for much of the current government’s tenure, jobs have been scarce and income growth very tepid, making middle class consumers penny wise. 5. “Demonetisation was a defining moment in the govt’s war on corruption and black money. This decision struck at the very root of the parallel economy thriving on black money; and the money outside the formal system was brought within the ambit of nation’s economy.” One of the defining steps against black money taken by the Modi government, by its <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/modi-says-demonetisation-forced-nirav-modi-vijay-mallya-to-flee-curbed-black-money/1431229/"></a><a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/modi-says-demonetisation-forced-nirav-modi-vijay-mallya-to-flee-curbed-black-money/1431229/" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">own admission</a>, was demonetisation. However, contrary to the hope that a big chunk of unaccounted cash stashed away will be left worthless, nearly all the <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/finance/after-almost-two-years-of-counting-rbi-says-99-3-of-demonetised-notes-returned/articleshow/65589904.cms"></a><a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/finance/after-almost-two-years-of-counting-rbi-says-99-3-of-demonetised-notes-returned/articleshow/65589904.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">banned notes</a> have returned to the system. What came to a grinding halt was the <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/demonetisation-hit-growth-by-2-percentage-points-us-study/articleshow/67154320.cms"></a><a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/demonetisation-hit-growth-by-2-percentage-points-us-study/articleshow/67154320.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Indian economy</a> leading to job losses. 6. “Government has approved ₹25,500 crores for ‘Namami Gange Mission’. By stopping the flow from dozens of big drains into the river, by stopping the industrial waste, and by setting up sewer treatment plants, my government has shown proactiveness to clean up Ganga.” Indeed the money has been allotted and a lot has been spent, but is it working? India’s waterman <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/why-indias-waterman-thinks-the-governments-3-5-billion-plan-to-clean-up-ganga-is-not-working/articleshow/67672185.cms"></a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/why-indias-waterman-thinks-the-governments-3-5-billion-plan-to-clean-up-ganga-is-not-working/articleshow/67672185.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Rajendra Singh</a> believes that a clean Ganga may still be a distant dream. 7. "Government's digital plan is helping rural India." Once again, one of the stated goals of demonetisation was to make India a cashless society and push people towards digital payments. It seemed to work in the initial days of the cash crunch, but soon after, people were back to using cash, and in fact, it is <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Money/Oxohtwl6CBCWjnfjdbHCEL/Cash-transactions-up-after-demonetisation-but-Indias-ATM-ne.html"></a><a href="https://www.livemint.com/Money/Oxohtwl6CBCWjnfjdbHCEL/Cash-transactions-up-after-demonetisation-but-Indias-ATM-ne.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">now more than before</a> demonetisation. 8. “In 2014, only 59 village panchayats in the country had digital connectivity. Today, 1 lakh 16 thousand village panchayats are connected with optical fibre and about 40 thousand village panchayats have been provided with wi-fi hotspots.” The other big pillar of the Digital India dream is to allow millions of Indian villagers access to internet through a broadband network that spans the length and breadth of the country. The network has been laid for the first phase covering one lakh villages, but only 10% of the network is getting utilised. This has <a href="https://www.deccanchronicle.com/business/in-other-news/220119/rs-42000-crore-bharatnet-projects-face-delay-cost-overrun.html"></a><a href="https://www.deccanchronicle.com/business/in-other-news/220119/rs-42000-crore-bharatnet-projects-face-delay-cost-overrun.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">reportedly</a> led to the department of telecom warning the two implementing agencies, as recently as last week. India is ranked 91st among 139 countries on the Networked Readiness Index 2016, according to the <a href="http://reports.weforum.org/global-information-technology-report-2016/networked-readiness-index/"></a><a href="http://reports.weforum.org/global-information-technology-report-2016/networked-readiness-index/" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">World Economic Forum (WEF)</a>). 9. “By enacting RERA law, my govt has ensured that construction of houses is completed and they are handed over to the buyers as scheduled. After enactment of this law, about 35,000 real estate projects have been registered where lakhs of houses are being constructed.” The Real Estate Regulation Act is a potential game changer for India’s tainted real estate industry, infamous as a haven for ill-gotten wealth, but the reform measure has made little progress since it was rolled out in May 2017. “States have notified the act but, unfortunately, the structures of the RERA machinery in most of the states have not been put in place,” Samantak Das told the <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/real-estate/poor-implementation-of-rera-across-states-poses-a-challenge-to-home-buyers/articleshow/66375451.cms"></a><a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/real-estate/poor-implementation-of-rera-across-states-poses-a-challenge-to-home-buyers/articleshow/66375451.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">IANS</a> in October 2018, adding that, “"After constituting a model act at the central level, the Union government has a role to look at whether the states are adhering to the central legislation and implementing it in true letter and spirit.” 10. “Be it cities or villages, the government is working at a fast pace to strengthen healthcare related infrastructure.” The government last year set a target of raising annual health spending to 2.5% of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025, from 1.15% now-- which is one of the lowest proportions in the world. Nepal (2.3%) and Sri Lanka (2%) spend more on healthcare than the government in India does. 11. “Thirty four crore bank accounts have been opened in the country because of ‘Jan Dhan Yojana’ and almost every family is now connected to the banking system. Today, Rs 88,000 crore deposited in Jan Dhan accounts is a testimony to the changing saving habits.” While it is true that the government pushed millions of Indians to have a bank account for the first time in their lives, it is still not a universal phenomenon. According to an August 2018 report from NABARD, nearly 190 million people still do not have access to a bank. Only “49% households reported that at least one of their members had saved any money in an institution (banks, post office etc.),” according to the report. 12. "Our daughters are making remarkable contribution in every field today and have brought laurels to the country. It is for the first time since independence that the policies &amp; programmes of the Govt have created numerous new opportunities for enterprise for women" It is true that there are more conversations about ending the discrimination against women today than ever before, but it is a global phenomenon too. However, presidential speeches have little impact unless it is forced into practice, particularly among public personalities like members of Parliament. In India’s political sphere, there is more sexism than oxygen in the air. Most recently the newly-appointed Congress general secretary <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/pretty-face-no-other-talent-bihar-minister-s-sexist-remark-about-priyanka-gandhi-1438935-2019-01-25" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Priyanka Gandhi </a>was at the receiving end of jibes that called her ‘chocolate face’ and ‘Surpanakha’ (a demon from Hindu mythology). But is not BJP’s forte <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bjp-up-chiefs-sexist-joke-on-mayawati-akhilesh-and-mulayam-over-1995-guest-house-incident-raises-a-storm/355537" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">alone.</a> It’s something that unites the country’s <a href="https://www.newsbytesapp.com/timeline/Politics/39755/176209/congress-and-bjp-can-t-be-absolved-of-sexist-remarks" data-type="tilCustomLink">political class</a> more than anything else. Meanwhile, in India’s booming private sector, 40% of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/a-whopping-40-of-indias-women-engineers-dont-have-jobs-because-of-rampant-sexism-at-workplace/articleshow/67486684.cms">women engineers </a>in India do not have a job because the country’s corporate culture has a gender bias. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/unemployment-in-india-is-at-its-highest-in-45-years-says-an-indian-daily-citing-an-undisclosed-jobs-survey/articleshow/67769020.cms">Unemployment in India is at its highest in 45 years – says an Indian daily citing an undisclosed jobs survey</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-government-commits-to-increasing-public-health-spending-to-2-5-of-gdp-by-2025but-is-that-enough/articleshow/67086285.cms">Indian government commits to increasing public health spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2025—but is that enough?</a>

Here’s a fact check after Indian President's glowing tribute to the Narendra Modi government

Modi Government is about to complete one year in office and one year is a significant time for understanding the intent and to some extent the performance of any government. <keyword id="2403978" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="The-Modi-government">The Modi government</keyword> had won the election on the plank of development and its promise to bring ‘acche din’. The article tries to trace some of the promises that were made and the performance of the government during the previous year under various broad themes. 
 
Economy- The government has been helped by what a prominent editor termed ‘acche sitare’, ‘good luck’. It is no doubt true that fall in commodity prices in general and crude oil, in particular, helped the government reign in the <keyword id="6365485" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="fiscal-deficit">fiscal deficit</keyword> and give it headway to make fiscal policies for the country. The fiscal deficit target for 2015-16 has been the pegged by the budget to 3.9%. While this is little above than recommendations of the Fourteenth <keyword id="74136" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="finance-commission">Finance Commission</keyword> ( which recommended it to be 3.6 percent of the <keyword id="35050" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="gdp">GDP</keyword>), the government has understandably batted for growth. The government still is slowly but surely moving towards the limit set by FRBM (Fiscal Responsibility and Budgetary Management) Act, 2003 that pegged the target at a maximum level of 3% of the GDP. The government has also tried to help the <keyword id="34412" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="economy">economy</keyword> gain momentum by enabling legislation for reforms. These included trying to go in for a major reform in the indirect taxation regime as well as accepting the recommendations of Fourteenth <keyword id="25455" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="finance">Finance</keyword> Commission in respect to revenue sharing with states. It was ostensibly done to ensure a spirit of ‘cooperative federalism’ between states and center, as well as greater financial devolution to states. The figure now stands at 42% of the total revenue collection up from the earlier 32%. Also, the year saw growth forecasts been revised for India by a number of International Bodies and agencies. The IMF revised its forecasts to 7.5 % In 2015 in its WEO April 2015 forecast. It was up from the 6.4 projected for 2015 in the WEO April 2014 forecast. Similarly, the Asian Development Bank in its Asian Development Outlook 2015, indicated a bettering economy with less than 5 percent core <keyword id="22195" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Inflation">inflation</keyword>. They also alluded to the new monetary policy framework according to which RBI, India's central bank is to play the role of price stabilization primarily while being mindful of growth. With the policy framework in place, the central bank will be maintaining the inflation target of 4±2 % from FY 2016 onwards. Thus with an overall bettering situation a total score of 7.5 out of 10. 
 
Foreign Engagement and Defence- Foreign engagement was by far the area where the most vigorous activity and keen intent were observed. The sphere saw initiatives undertaken by the PM himself to make India more noticeable as well as more integrated with the International sphere. It included among many things, trips to foreign countries both in the neighbourhood as well as to countries like Germany, France, Australia, US, Canada and most recently beginning May 14, 2015 his trip to China. The engagement also saw a large number of foreign dignitaries coming to India from across the world. The engagement also saw bilateral agreements as well as plans to invest in India's development by countries and companies abroad, most notably by Japan, US and China. Also, steps to resolve contentious issues have been undertaken pertaining to the border areas with neighbours. It includes the recently passed Bangladesh Land Accord Bill that envisages transferring enclaves and demarcation of the boundary along the present porous borders. Also, in the broad sphere of defence the decision to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets is a welcome step. More such acquisitions will have to be made since these 36 planes would add just two squadrons to thirty-five squadrons that IAF has. It is below an authorized strength of forty-two which will be down to twenty- five by 2022. It means we must speed up the process of defense acquisitions since there is urgent need to upgrade and modernize the armed forces and security apparatus in India. Overall a score of 8.5 out of 10 foreign engagement and 7.5 out of 10 on defence. 
 
 
Agriculture- Here the government has not been able to do that well, and it is understandable because there has been erratic weather accentuated by some mismanagement by the government. The sector is critical as most people are dependent on it for employment. Added to the weather were the issues of land acquisition and urea availability to farmers. Land Acquisition Bill though being blocked by the opposition on the farmer rights plank is linked directly to the development of clusters and employment of youth for especially rural areas. The focus of the government seems to be the development of irrigation facilities under its Pradhanmantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. A fund was proposed to be set up for marginalized farmers with a corpus of Rs. 25000 crores in NABARD. An overall score of 6.5 on 10. 
 
Industrial policy and power- Industrial policy saw a continuity from the previous regime. The National Manufacturing Policy (NMP) was hailed by the 'Make in India' as the 'most comprehensive and significant policy initiative of the government'. The 'Make in India' is an initiative that is critically dependent on other factors. These include availability of land, ease of doing business as well as removal of inverse duty structures that make imports of finished products cheaper than finished products. Apart from this labour policies that favour flexibility in hiring and firing are also seen to be the main bottlenecks. While the government has taken some steps to rectify, these bottlenecks outcomes are yet to be seen. Similarly, the <keyword id="44528" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="FDI">FDI</keyword> policy has seen incremental reforms with the opening up of <keyword id="35450" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="insurance">insurance</keyword> and defence sectors further to 49% from the earlier limit of 26%. Both these are positive steps for the economy. Greater structural changes could have been undertaken in these spheres especially with the mandate, but nonetheless significant work is been done. In the power sector, much has been achieved. It included the successful auction of the coal mines, which is slated to rope in a massive 15 lakh crore over the 30-year timeframe if all the mines are auctioned and are working at optimum output. Apart from this coal production was at an all-time high as well as the government seems on track to meet the power requirements of the country. Overall a score of 6.5 for industries and a score of 8 for power out of 10. 
 
Education- The countries' education system can broadly be classified under two broad areas- higher education and school education. There are several schemes that are operational under these. The government in the past one-year has come up with several new initiatives including the Beti-Bachao Beti Padhao Abhiyan, Swachh Vidyalaya and GIS Mapping of schools and has opened several new institutions. However, the fact remains that despite all government’s initiatives most people if given a choice, prefer private schooling since it gives their children a competitive edge later on in their careers. The governments of the past have failed in this and correcting this anomaly will take time. Also, in respect to higher education the government seems keen to have holistic development with several new AIIMS, IIM and IIT like institutions being opened in states that have a paucity of these. What remains to seen is how quality and not just quantity is pursued within these institutions while ensuring regional development. An overall score of 6.5 on 10. 
 
Infrastructure- The primary focus of the government in this sphere is up-gradation of existing and quick development of new infrastructure. The first can be observed in the push for railway up-gradation and improvement in customer service. The second can be observed more in the highways sector with the minister setting himself a target of 30 km a day by 2017. In March this year 11 km of roads were being laid. The broad ambit of infrastructure covers the development of roads, highways, ports, airport, waterways, canals, and railways. It is too early to judge the government's progress on the same however the fact that there is clearance for projects worth close to Rs. 6 lakh Crore across 10 key sectors. It shows intent on the part of government for infrastructure development. Overall a score of 7.5 on 10. 
 
Social Schemes- The social schemes of the government have been particularly impressive. These include the <keyword id="2494045" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="jan-dhan">Jan Dhan</keyword> Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana and many other social missions like the <keyword id="6562839" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Swacch-Bharat-Mission">Swacch Bharat Mission</keyword> and the Clean Ganga Mission. For the Jan Dhan Yojana already around 12.5 crore accounts have been opened along with a capital infusion of Rs 10,500 crore into the system. The three recently launched social security schemes (namely the (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana ) and Atal Pension Yojana) have got nearly 6.5 crore subscriptions. It is because (PMJJBY) scheme offers Rs. 2 lakh cover for a mere 330 Rs. Per year (provided bank account holders are from age 18-50). Under the (PMSBY), renewable one-year accident cum disability cover of Rs. 2 lakh is provided for Rs.12 premium every year. The Atal Pension Yojana is aimed at those people who work in the unorganised sector and do not fall under the ambit of regular pension. The scheme offers pension under various brackets depending on the contribution made over a period. The scheme is for people in the age bracket 18-40 years. The social focus of the government is also evident from the fact the government has continued with previous schemes and linked them with technology for targeted interventions. The JAM (Jan Dhan Account, Aadhaar Cards and Mobiles) number Trinity as mentioned in the budget speech is an example of the same. The government seems to have a social focus for benefit to poor. An overall score of 8 on 10. 
 
Urbanization and Urban development- The urbanization and urban development received an increased thrust under the 100 Smart City project. The thrust of the present government is not only on up gradation of brownfield cities but also development of new greenfield cities. Traditionally, India has been slow to urbanize, and at present 32 percent of people reside in urban areas. However, the quality of urban life has seen a precipitous decline in the past few decades. The government's smart city initiative is a step aimed at understanding and absorbing the migration of people from rural to urban areas. However, the implementation of the project holds the key. Success in greenfield development is critically linked to land acquisition. Also, will the 'smart cities' improve liveability for the ever-burgeoning population remains to be seen? The project is ambitious in scope and the past year has seen some activity with the launch of the GIFT city in Gujarat and work on cities of DMIDC. An overall score of 6.5 on 10. 
 
Health and Environment- Health along with education have been two areas where successive governments have faltered. The system in India needs a drastic overhaul and increased spending by the government. Also there is a severe shortage of trained personnel in the sector. Add to this the decrepit facilities in rural areas that forces one to look at ways and means to better delivery. The activity in the health ministry was seen to be rather subdued. However, the taxation on cigarettes ensures that a majority of population reconsiders decision to buy cigarettes. The quality of air and the general pollution levels in Indian cities pose serious health issues for all residents. Disease patterns are also changing and this calls for a comprehensive approach to healthcare access and delivery. Not much has been done in this regard. An overall score of 6 on 10. 
 
<keyword id="107737" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Entrepreneurship">Entrepreneurship</keyword> and Employment- For the first time a separate ministry for entrepreneurship has seen the light of the day. This fact along with the fact that skilling are the main thrust areas of the ministry make it clear that the government is in sync with the present ground reality. A million people will enter the workforce every month over the next decade. So it becomes imperative that India produces jobs for its burgeoning workforce. That will not just come from formal and informal sector but will require a thrust for entrepreneurship. Similarly, thrust for skilling is imperative. Further, a draft policy on skill development and entrepreneurship has already been made and put out for public consultation. Though much remains to be seen in terms of its impact the direction and intent, in this case, seems to be spot on. An overall score of 7.5 on 10. 
 
Overall, in assessing the performance, the government seems to have taken cognizance of the major challenges facing India in multiple spheres and taken requisite steps. It seems to be headed in the right direction. It augurs well for India in the medium to long term. Much will depend on the speed of legislation, decision-making and implementation over the next four years. 
 
(Dr. Amit Kapoor is President and CEO of India Council on Competitiveness and Honorary Chairman of Institute for Competitiveness, India. He tweets @kautiliya and can be contacted at <a href="mailto:amit.kapoor@competitiveness.in">amit.kapoor@competitiveness.in</a>. The article is co-authored with Sankalp Sharma who is Senior Researcher at Institute for Competitiveness)

Assessing one year of Modi
Government: 6/10 leaving scope for major improvement

<ul><li>The Supreme Court clears <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> defamation case. </li><li>The top court asked Gandhi to be extremely careful when making political speeches against large audiences, in the judgment. </li><li>The Congress party had to suffer an embarrassing defeat after it's party president went on the ‘Chowkidaar Chor hai’ offensive on Prime Minister Modi.</li></ul>The Supreme Court clears Rahul Gandhi defamation case. The top court asked Gandhi to be extremely careful when making political speeches against large audiences, in the judgment. <div type="image" title="Rahul-twit" msid="72050686" hostid="261"></div>

 It is bad enough that the Congress party had to suffer an embarrassing defeat after it's party president went on the ‘Chowkidaar Chor hai’ offensive on Prime Minister Modi. As if that is not enough, Rahul Gandhi also had to face a ‘criminal contempt’ proceedings over it. The Supreme Court bench has announced its verdict on a plea by BJP MP <keyword id="6431260" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Meenakshi-Lekhi">Meenakshi Lekhi</keyword> over the Congress party’s campaign slogan. Gandhi had made a statement attributing the slogan to the Apex court. Gandhi used the slogan to attack Modi over the Rafale deal. He was hoping to bring to light -- discrepancies on the deal to purchase fighter jets from the French company In March when the Supreme Court agreed to hear review petitions in the Rafale deal matter, Gandhi said that the top court also said "<keyword id="6895071" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chowkidar-chor-hai">chowkidar chor hai</keyword>". The Supreme Court took strong objection to this, asserting that it never said so. A bench comprising Chief Justice <keyword id="245445" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ranjan-Gogoi">Ranjan Gogoi</keyword> and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph had reserved judgement on the matter, on May 10 Gandhi, who was then the President of the Congress Party, had told the bench that he has tendered unconditional apology for wrongly attributing the remarks relating to the Prime Minister — to the apex court. Added to that, he also admitted that going on the offensive on corruption charges on the government was a wrong political move, soon after the election results came in.

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