Manmohan Singh: The silent Prime Minister or a humane economist?
The New Indian Express Mysuru|December 28, 2024
EXPECTATIONS of Dr Manmohan Singh, the trailblazer of India's new economic policy, is no more.
LEKHA CHAKRABORTY

Economists around the world remember him for his brilliance and humility, and predominantly for his role in opening up the state-controlled Indian economy, when he was appointed Finance Minister of India in 1991.

The NIPFP (the think tank of finance ministry where I work) had immense opportunities to work with him. It is interesting to recall that in 2004, when Singh was named as Indian Prime Minister, India was embarking into a Common Minimum Programme with dual objectives of economic growth and equity. I remember it was a tough call, given the constrained fiscal space for expenditure design for the poor under the new fiscal rules to contain the mounting fiscal deficits.

Making efforts to phase out revenue deficit, while designing innovative revenue spending for MNREGA to ensure job guarantee schemes, was a tough call during his regime.

This story is from the December 28, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Mysuru.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 28, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Mysuru.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS MYSURUView All
The New Indian Express Mysuru

Getting to Do Spy Stuff is Fun

Keira Knightley speaks to Sally James on playing a secret agent in her latest spy thriller, Black Doves

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025
The New Indian Express Mysuru

A Guilty, Albeit Predictable, Pleasure

In sequels to 'happily ever after' romantic films, the narrative often tests the strength of the lead couple's bond by introducing obstacles—be it physical distance or a potential rival sparking jealousy.

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
The New Indian Express Mysuru

A Story of Uneasy Love

The fast-paced love story between a Muslim girl and a Hindu boy explores the tension between tradition and modernity

time-read
2 mins  |
January 05, 2025
The New Indian Express Mysuru

Making 2025 Your Best Year

Eleven infallible strategies to transform New Year resolutions into habits

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
The New Indian Express Mysuru

Sax and the City

The best hop, skip and jump spots for aficionados of jazz in its birthplace where the music never stops and feet never stop tapping

time-read
2 mins  |
January 05, 2025
The New Indian Express Mysuru

Making Her Blush Permanently

A latest beauty trend everyone is buzzing about has a tattoo element

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
The New Indian Express Mysuru

It Maybe the Best of Times, but It is Surely the Worst of Times

Manmohan Singh, former PM and finance minister who launched India's 1991 economic reforms, died last week.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025
The New Indian Express Mysuru

Memorial for Manmohan is a Requiem for a Lost Dream

Dead people never really die. They are kept alive through man's endless need for ritual, both in the private and public realm.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 05, 2025
The New Indian Express Mysuru

The Winning Edge

Entrepreneur Stuti Jalan is taking the story of Indian women to the global stage

time-read
2 mins  |
January 05, 2025
The New Indian Express Mysuru

WHY H-1B VISA IS IN MAGA CROSSHAIRS

Of these high earners, more than 25% were women. And more than 65% of these well-heeled H-1B applicants from India were sponsored by smaller US-based companies.

time-read
6 mins  |
January 05, 2025