Foreign institutions reports about political and economic environment in India have always been subjects of debate. Many a time, they come as a tool for the opposition to beat the government, but some good reports become certificates for the government that its performance has been lauded by foreign experts. Now the World Bank in its report says India improved on, ‘ease of doing business,’ and naturally Union Finance Minister who has already been cornered for slow economic growth has taken the opinion of the prestigious global bank as a certificate for him. He said the UPA’s “ease of doing corruption has now been replaced by NDA’s ease of doing business.” Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was quick to reject the report and he tweeted, ‘Sabko maloom hai ,’ ease of doing business’ ki haqeeqat, lekin khud ko khush rakhne ke liye Dr Jaitley ye khayal achha hai,’ (everybody knows the reality of ease of doing business, but this thought , Dr Jaitley is good to keep yourself happily content). According to the World Bank report released on November 1, India’s rank on the ‘ease of doing business’ has improved from 130th to 100th this year. Yes, 100th! If that is anything but satisfactory.
Addressing a press conference soon after the World Bank ranking was made public, Jaitley had said India was the only country named for pursuing structural reforms. In his third phase of three-day road show in poll-bound Gujarat on November 1, Rahul taunted the government for celebrating the ‘ease of doing business’ report and said everybody knows the fact that demonetization and GST have destroyed the economy and business.
Addressing a massive crowd in south Gujarat moving through Bharuch district, he said, “The entire country will shout and say ease of doing business is absent. Your have destroyed it, your demonetization and GST have ruined it.” The Gurarat poll is a crucial battle both for the BJP and the Congress. It will decide the future of these parties.
