Indian Economy

It is rather inane to say that Mandis would shut down because of privatization as the Indian Government is duty bound to provide foodgrains to the very poor through the PDS in the foreseeable future.

While the ruling party has accused the Congress, SAD and AAP of both promising and supporting changes in APMC earlier and now walking back on their word, these parties in turn accuse the BJP of the same hypocrisy of opposing farm law reform during Congress rule.

Contrary to mischievous media reports that “All Indian Farmers are up in arms”, it would be more accurate to say that “Rich Punjabi farmers, middlemen and loansharks are up in arms” against agricultural reform.

The middlemen (arhatiyas) are the most hurt through the farmer law changes. They used to get away charging 2% commission to the farmers and charging between 8.5%-14.5% from the traders without adding any value.

Agricultural survey indicate that farmer are not blind to their predicament - about 40-50% of children of farmers want to get out of farming and want nothing to do with it.

Because farmers are short sighted, they fail to understand their best welfare is to notice economic trends in the market. They need to move towards less water intensive and more remunerative options like poultry, milk, fruits and vegetables like other agricultural economies.

Part 1 of a 9 part series: Doleouts, subsidies and lack of foresight has meant that Indian agriculture has deteriorated into a logjam of vested interests trying to push forward their interests at any cost, with little regard to the welfare of the poor farmers on the ground or their own future.

India needs Trump support in respect of Trade, Terrorism and Geo-politics. In exchange, the US will get a giant manufacturing market for investment and a strategic pillar for the USA to counter rising China.

The primary reason due which planned economies fail is the lack of information regarding market demand.

What are BJP's economic policies based on? Who are they getting their advice from? How is it different from the Congress’? Why is it different from the Congress’? What is the ambition? What do they want to accomplish?