The ugly public spat between deputy chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel over chaotic conditions at Delhi airport is typical of the elitist mindset of the Delhi imperium, reminiscent of Rome burning as emperor Nero concentrated on improving his fiddling prowess. Despite inflation numbers and price indices running haywire and throwing 160 million household budgets out of kilter, Ahluwalia, whose household budget made up of the unlimited perquisites of office that cabinet rank ministers are heir to and supplemented with an appreciating (as the rupee depreciates) World Bank pension is protected, has not thought fit to recommend a cut in the massive taxes on petrol/diesel which are fanning the flames of inflation.
Nor is Patel, reportedly one of the richest businessmen in the country, worried about segments of the population other than India’s acquisitive middle class which is in an uproar about chaotic conditions in the country’s airports. His advice to the master central planner: Focus on other infrastructure failures — roads, health, electricity, education etc.
That’s good advice because preoccupied as he is with jetting between Washington and New Delhi, Ahluwalia has precious little time for matters other than airport development. Disclosure: In March EducationWorld sent several faxes, e-mails and letters and made six calls to Ahluwalia’s residence leaving messages with his wife, sister-in-law and sundry other aides and retainers requesting a five minute phone interview. The master central planner with one foot in Washington didn’t respond at all.
Perhaps Ahluwalia should revert to the World Bank. He might be more useful there.