Forbes India - Mar 19, 2010 Issue

ISSUE DATE Mar 19, 2010

It's Time

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has delivered a budget that confirms the potential of the India story. The country, at large, has given a thumbs up to the budget. But now it is time for India to take some hard decisions to build a stronger, more prosperous nation. Subsidies need to be eased out, urban migration needs to be better managed, a solution has to be found for the growing energy needs of its citizens and the bureaucracy needs to be held more accountable. The road ahead is hard but India is awaiting its moment in the sun.

Taking the Unlimited Road

Roads and Highways Minister Kamal Nath has set out an ambitious task for himself: He wants to build or upgrade 47,000 kilometres of highways in five years. The economic potential of the plan is huge and Nath is determined to pull it off. The private sector believes that he is the right man for the job. But a lack of capacity in the system to handle a project of this magnitude could throw his plans out of gear.

Right of Way

Kapil Sibal's education bill shifts the onus of education from the parent to the government. The Right To Education Bill will change the way education is viewed in India. Standards will be lifted, basic norms for infrastructure and a decent teacher-student ratio will be implemented. The biggest challenge for Sibal will be to build political consensus with the states

A Climate Change

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh is not one to back away from debate. It is his responsibility to make sure that renewable energy gradually grows in prominence in India. His long term goal is make India the global leader in solar energy by 2022. He has stepped on a few toes in the process but with the Prime Minister backing him, he shows no signs of slowing down.