'New K'taka govt has to be accountable for public projects'

What do I expect from the next Government that comes to power in Karnataka?

First, my hope is that there will be a stable one-party Government unlike the earlier coalition one.

Industry and taxation:

Karnataka was one of the highest taxed Governments in the country. With VAT introduction, there has been some rationalization; but still, a lot more is to be done. Nowhere in the country does collateral deposit of title deeds towards industrial advances attract as much duty as in Karnataka. Power and water continue to be charged at high rates and all subsidies are loaded on to the industrial use of these. The Government has not been proactive to industrial development; it needs to involve industry and trade in deeper dialogue while formulating policies affecting these.

Infrastructure:

Infrastructure is dismal, least to say. There has been no accountability in implementation of projects both in terms of quality and time. Logistics has become expensive and time-consuming. Accountability has to be brought in.

The Government has to now doubt treat land as a national source and hence should selectively release land for industrial purposes; but the existing laws and bureaucratic set up makes it impossible for an industry to acquire land directly from the agriculturists. The law needs to be amended in this respect with necessary safeguard clauses to ensure that land does not become a speculative commodity.

Education:

While everyone agrees that education is the foundation to make the nation prosper, reports show that Karnataka scores very low in quality of primary education. Improvement in quality is a must. The Government has to bring in accountability in Government schools.

Health:

Access to health should be improved, particularly in taluk headquarters where private facilities are non-existent or insufficient. The Government should provide health insurance to persons below poverty line. More public participation in health industry should be encouraged with necessary safeguards against misuse.

Karnataka was one of the best administered, industrially leading, peaceful States in the country. My expectation from the next Government is that it will do all that it can to regain its lost place of pride.

(Arjun M Ranga is the Managing Partner, NR Group)