G.A.Y 2.1

Prologue: Before eye-brows are raised and skeptic drew conclusions let me clear the mist. G.A.Y abbreviates for ‘Govt. Academic Year’ and 2.1 means ‘2nd term 1st year.’ UPA has successfully concluded its 1st year in office for their second successive mandate from people. Let us scrutinize govt. performance by using statistical tool namely ‘C.P.I.’ An important analogy while implementation i.e. ‘theory courses to ministers’ and hence each minister will be attributed with required number of credits. (XX-lack of attendance, AA-10, AB-9,......,DD-4 grade points)

Prime Minister – Manmohan Singh

One might say he is politically naïve, isn’t stern enough, doesn’t hold whip on his cabinet ministers. But, he still remains 3rd prime minister after Nehru & Indira to win a mandate for his govt. (Though still Sonia eclipses his persona). Unlike in his 1.1 version where opposition was after him as ‘second fiddle, puppet, weakest P.M.’ in 2.1 it seems his cabinet ministers with their congregate bickering is endeavoring that image. Parliamentarian system gives a feeble opportunity for P.M. as he is a selected rather than an elected. Parallel to his rudiment nuclear deal in 1st term Singh conscience seems to be maneuvered with corroborate dialogue with Pakistan. At the end Singh is still the King. GRADE: BB

Finance Minister – Pranab Mukherjee (Pranab Daa)

This year has been substantially better with growth skewing higher-side. Though solution to inflation still remains an aloof, economic- reforms still looms around and wait to be implemented, with robust expansion UPA flag-ship policies concern emanate regarding anomaly of fiscal deficit. But, petroleum hangover is a lauded move towards righteousness. Being face of congress in parliament and a ‘cut-motion’ victory do give him additional brownie points. GRADE: BC

Home Minister – Chidambaram

He took over guard from Shivraj Patil when the nation was grieving from 26/11 terror strikes. His gaze has an oozing confidence and a sense of belief that things are under control. Considering volatility of security when he took over, his work is appreciable. Still cross-border terrorism, naga issue, newly evolved hindu terror groups, naxalism post a challenge. Multi-pronged voices from govt. on curbing naxal haven’t gone down well and shown minister in poor light. Telephone tapping was a perilous string but efficiently handled in parliament. GRADE: BB

Railway Minister – Mamta Banerjee

Unlike Lalu she is lacking flamboyancy. She is known to be a leader with mass base and known for speaking out of her mind. She seems to be on a quest to annoy govt. on all fronts. Her double-talk on women reservation and a leftist role for reforms is regrettable. Her lack of presence in parliament, disconnect with both Delhi and railways is irking one and every. GRADE: XX

Agriculture Minister – Sharad Pawar

Yet another minister hooked up with western interests. He was in public forum for IPL saga more than agriculture issues. With food inflation soaring high and mismanagement of buffer stocks, food-grains and a negative growth rate has cut his wings to considerable extent. GRADE: CD

Telecom Minister – Raja

How in the hell Raja survived? Though might not have got any kick-bags but there is genuine belief of him working as an esquire for corporate lobby. His autonomous decision making has made him a mole in UPA 2. But, he is a dalit so can’t be questioned. GRADE: DD

Environment Minister – Jairam Ramesh

He, like his former colleague Tharoor has been hopping limelight for all the wrong reasons. His BT brinjal, squashing projects with environment prospective and recent China rhetoric hasn’t gone well with party. At the end he brought the freshness and much needed zeal to his minister-ship. GRADE: BC

Others – Education Minister (Kapil Sibal), Sports Minister (M.S.Gill), etc

Except Sibal and Gill others weren’t news makers. Right to Education & other education reforms platform has been laid out already. With most of sports bodies being independent, little was expected from Gill. Clubbing these with external affairs, commerce, rural development, petroleum ministers on whole their performance could be rated average. GRADE: BC

P.S. Mr.Tharoor couldn’t be graded as he has dropped out in between. Opposition fell off hither and thither in much anticipated cut-motion and their next to existence in parliament had ensured govt. hovers comfortably.

Net Result: CPI – 7.24