‘Don’t Take International Ratings Seriously’: Arun Shourie

The Modi government does not have the attention span to work diligently on economic reforms, says Arun Shourie.

Former Union Minister Arun Shourie. 

(Photo: Reuters)

At a book launch on Friday, former Union Minister Arun Shourie said that economic policy makers should not take the ratings made by international agencies seriously. Likening reports, such as the ones put forth by Moody’s, to ‘schoolboy reports’, he added that policy makers in the Narendra Modi government lacked the “attention span” needed to reform the economy, which he said was a task akin to running a marathon.

Shourie, who was accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, said that while the Modi government had made several promises in terms of economic development, they had not delivered on the same, reported the Indian Express.

They (the BJP) have not delivered on development and all the indications (are) that they don’t have the attention span to work diligently on economic reforms. Reforming the economy is a matter which is a marathon, and these people don’t have the attention for that marathon.

Arun Shourie

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In terms of the World Bank improving India’s ‘ease of doing business’ rating, Shourie said that while he wasn’t allowed to disclose his sources, the information abound in the public domain indicates that the World Bank teams visit specific cities where officials are forewarned about the visits and prepare suitably, reported Business Standard.

His solution to India faring credibly better in terms of global economic development, is for all the opposition parties to join hands together against the BJP in the 2019 elections.

If you really believe the country is in peril because of the way things are happening… then you must get together.

Arun Shourie

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Kejriwal too spoke about the 2019 elections, saying it will be “Modi vs the people of India”. Adding to Shourie’s argument, he stated that the BJP needed to work seriously in improving their economic policies, which so far has derailed people's lives and left them angry.

Also Read: Of ‘Two Saints’ and ‘Pseudo-Religion’: Arun Shourie to The Quint

Today, discontent and anger is rising among the public on several issues, and especially on the decisions taken on GST and demonetisation. People have started standing up. The next election will be fought by the people. I don’t know how much leaders or political parties will matter in the elections, but the next election will be Mr Modi versus the people of India. 

Arvind Kejriwal

Also Read: Arun Shourie on “Pseudo-Religion” and his 27th Book, ‘Two Saints’

The duo were speaking at the launch of the book, India Social, authored by Aam Aadmi Party social media strategist Ankit Lal at the Constitution Club of India.

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(With inputs from Business Standard and Indian Express.)