No need for workers to work abroad

India can claim to have economically improved only when Indian workers do not find more benefit in going abroad for manual work and prefer to work in India i.e. they easily find jobs in India itself and the salaries and working conditions in India are as good as or better than in foreign countries. Also Indian workers already in foreign countries should be eager to return to India to work. There is so much work to be undertaken- laying roads, railway lines, constructing buildings-residences, factories, shops, hotels, restaurants etc- that there is no need for workers to go abroad.

Better ways to minimise black money than demonetization

There are better ways than monetization, to minimise black money. Some of these ways are;

1. holders of black money could be allowed to bring out black money with or without payment of taxes/penalties if they (particularly in industrially backward areas)set up factories which will give employment to certain number of people. By this scheme a number of people will get employment in construction of factory and in running the factory, transport etc . In a country where educated unemployment is large, this step will prove to be beneficial to the people/country. It will also contribute to government funds by way of licence fees, duties, taxes etc. The scheme to be successful, black money holders should be assured that no questions will be asked and no adverse publicity will be given.

2.Black money could be used for laying /widening roads, and the holders could be permitted to collect toll charges

3.Black money could be allowed to be used to construct new railway lines and run trains and/or be permitted to collect charges from those operating trains on the new lines.

Black money could be allowed to be used for other infrastructural projects

In these schemes the focus is on utilizing black money for the betterment of the country rather than punishing the holders. The wealth of the country is the combined wealth of its individual citizens. The gap between the rich and the poor can be bridged at a later date, when the country is well developed.

India-Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations

At present main celebrations of Republic Day and Independence Day are held in the capital of the country. Of course celebrations are held in state capitals and district headquarters also. It may be worth considering whether these most important events could be held in each state capital in turns. Similarly, the important events taking place in state capitals on Republic Day and Independence Day could also be shifted to different district headquarters in turns.

In addition to holding parades and cultural  pageants, Republic Days could be marked by launching of grand schemes like laying foundations for large projects, inaugurating new and additional railway lines,  laying foundations for new roads or widening of roads, opening scientific and technological  research centres,  lanching new research projects etc. This will incidentally ensure that atleast a few major projects are launched each year.

Offices, factories etc.could also funcion at least for a few hours for the celebrations and for taking pledges for improving the working, services etc.

The practice of inviting a foreign dignitary to be the Chief Guest for the celebrations could continue. It may also be considered whether prayers by different religious leaders-Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh etc.- for the well being of the people of the country could also be included in the celebrations.

Guyana-India Economic Co-operation

Gold is the main item of export for Guyana contributing over 40% to total exports. India is a very large importer of gold. India should explore possibilities of import of gold directly from Guyana , if necessary by undertaking of refining etc.

The second major item of export of Guyana is Rice. Guyana has large uncultivated but cultivable land. Indian companies can lease land for cultivation of Paddy, set up rice mills and increase exports of rice from Guyana. Guyana’s trade deficit can be wiped out.Indian companies can earn good profits as Guyana has fertile land and abundant rainfall.

Sugar is the fourth largest item of Guyana’s exports. Here also Indian companies can set up sugar mills and also lease land for cultivating sugarcane for feeding the mills. With increased sugar production, there will be increase in the production of molasses which can feed Rum factories. Guyana’s Rum is famous and Indian companies can produce and export Rum from Guyana.

Guyana also produces and exports rough diamonds and India is a large importer of this item. India can directly import diamond from Guyana .India can also explore possibilities of diamond exploration.

Some of the items which Guyana can import from India are: motor vehicles , including cars, sugar machinery, agricultural machinery like tractors, harvesters etc.Guyana consumes wheat but does not produce the same. Guyana can import wheat/wheat flour from India. The quantity will not be huge as the total population of Guyana is less than one million.

There are also possibilities for cooperation between the two countries in laying railway lines in Guyana and construction of bridges across rivers

Employment generation is easier in developing countries

There is a lot of scope in developing countries for creation of employment avenues. In developed countries, the scope for laying new roads is limited as they already have sufficient roads. Similarly, there is very limited scope for laying railway lines, drawing electricity and telecommunication lines, in building houses, in building lakes and digging canals, laying sewerage, expanding supply of piped gas etc., as saturation point has already reached. But in developing countries, the scope is unlimited. In other words, while it is difficult to generate employment in advanced countries, it is very easy to do so in developing countries.

All the works mentioned above, will not only eliminate unemployment, but would lead to labour shortage. However, priority should be established for undertaking the different works. Irrigation and agriculture should get the top priority. After digging lakes and irrigation wells around the lakes, it takes only about 4-5 months to get additional production of food grains. The second priority should be to set up cotton ginning, spinning and weaving mills and ready made garment units.

Funds should not be a problem as currency notes can be printed. This will not lead to long term inflation as with the digging of lakes, wells and canals, the production of food grains and other agricultural produce will increase which will lead to decrease in prices. Inflation would be there only for a short time, between the start of the work for digging lakes etc and the harvesting of the agricultural produce.