Suggested Reform Ideas

Hey here are some reform ideas ! Some of them may be naive but hope at least some of them are useful.

1. 21 years of compulsory education for all - 25% free education mandatory for bulge bracket educational institutions - move from mid day meal to two times meal a day for poor children - other children and parents can chip in. No additional burden on government at least in private institutions.

Not one child shall remain devoid of education in this country.

2.  One India, One Election (or Two Elections at most ) in a period of five years - if you have so many elections then you have to divide time between campaigning and administration - waste of time and election expenditures.

3. Planned and Calibrated approach towards population explosion - can our cities accommodate, if population rises to 200 crores ?

4. Legalize election bonus - political parties buying votes from citizens -  so why not legalize election bonus ? Show your sources of income.

5. Income/ Wealth based reservations and subsidies

6. Referendum voting - a step towards inclusive democracy - use smart phones for conducting referendum voting. Media role is going to be critical. 

If this works well in the longer run, you can move to mobile voting even for general elections. Campaigning will be only on media and internet. Think how much money you can save ? No campaigning and election expenditure - we can save thousands of crores ?

Media's role is going to be pivotal.

7. Media  houses stake disclosure - all media groups which have direct or indirect affiliation to political parties or their associates - need to provide a disclosure  -both national and regional -  specially regional channels.

8.  Pollution control and environmental care - can we be a carbon neutral country ? Or even surplus.

Robust public transport infrastructure to cut down pollution.

9. Extensive discussion of bills in mainstream media before being introduced in the Parliament - again media role is going to be critical. At least 30 days in advance.

10. Public representatives cannot access other incomes while holding office. Accrued incomes have to be put in an escrow account. You can get access to these incomes once you step down from office.

11. Shutdown/Divest loss making PSUs. What is the point in pouring in money if you cannot even  recover costs? You need to look at the overall production capacity - both public and private plus imports - how much demand appetite do we have ?

Instead governments can invest in new profitable areas of the economy and use services of those  existing employees. New generation PSUs - dynamic and profit making!

12.  Public representatives have to be accessible to people in their geographical area at least for 200 days a year. Office and Residence within the geographical limits of the constituency. If holding a cabinet position then some one else will have to meet people on behalf of the office.

13. Importance of safety nets across all sectors of the economy - due to the impact of technology and reforms -  some sectors are going to transform and new sectors are going to appear - this transition between old and new needs safety nets. Build safety nets using employee/employer contributions.

14. Moving away from protectionism in a calibrated manner - moving towards income support systems rather than import restrictions.

15. Cutting down subsidies from those who can afford. Cut down wasteful subsidies.

16. Public representatives cannot be absent from house proceedings without valid reasons. Wilful absentees should be disqualified and the constituency will remain vacant till next election. Voters will be more careful in choosing their representatives.

to be continued....