ASSOCHAM vision for India - Economic Agenda

Introduction
Strategic Framework for Achieving Vision
Knowledge - India's Strategic Driver for Growth
Six Guiding Principles to Achieve Vision

Strategic Framework for Achieving Vision

The key elements of the `Vision for India' have to translate into benefits for every Indian.

The needs of the common Indian as indeed they are for every human being are:

• Economic freedom
• A healthy body and a healthy environment
• Education to ensure sustained productivity
• Shelter to preserve and enhance the human dignity.

To achieve the above objectives t hat are an inherent part of the Vision of India, there is a need to have a clear framework and also identify the competitive driver which will enable bring the change. The competitive driver for India is undoubtedly knowledge.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION

Managing Population Growth

The implications of this are evident in not only the Economic arena but in all other aspects of our lives. Management of population since independence would have made per capita income 40% higher even with doubling of population. There is no gainsaying that population management has to be at the core of any initiative taken up by any Govt.

Improving productivity and employability through Education

Every human being endeavours to achieve productive status in society. The increased and improved productivity of individuals through education helps in not only managing population but also in ensuring the sustainability of economic freedom. Education must be one of the four critical inputs which would help us in achieving our Vision of India.

Providing a healthy Environment

A clean environment is a pre-requisite for anyone to work. In fact it is one of the basic rights of a human being to have access to quality water and quality air.

Emphasis on environment management automatically would ensure a healthy body and mind. The competitive strength of India has to be moulded around a health India.

Creating security and self respect through Housing

Shelter has historically been the epitome of an individual's dignity and self-respect. It must be one of the key objectives of any Vision to provide each one of our citizens an abode, which enhances his self-esteem and encourages him to innovate and experiment.

These are the four cornerstones of the Pyramid on which the Vision rests. At the same time, they are also the strategic means for providing each one of our fellow citizens the Quality of Life that we envision.

Having laid the foundation for a strong superstructure, we need to provide resources and physical infrastructure, financial infrastructure and skilled and productive workforce that can provide the operational competitiveness to the operational sectors.

CREATING THE INFRASTRUCTURE

Physical Infrastructure

Physical infrastructure is crucial for the development of Economy and can become a linking factor for growth. Gestation periods are long, as also the resource requirement is high.

Financial Infrastructure

For a competitive and growing economy a sound financial sector must support the real sector. Resource mobilization through systems benchmarking is a vital necessity and the lubricant that would allow the economy to grow.

Improving the Productivity of Workforce

There is a need to align the various forces of Management, Labour, Government and Industry to focus on critical issues of Employee Relations, Policy, Training & Development, which will enable India to be competitive.

COMPETITIVE SUPERSTRUCTURE

With Globalization competitiveness is not only for exports but for internal trade as well. India has to be competitive and Indian Companies have to be competitive within and outside India. The share that India has of the global market in industry, agriculture, services, toruing and information technology would depend on the competitiveness of the sectors.

GOVERNANCE & POLICY FRAMEWORK - for Facilitation

Management of the strategic framework is what is Governance. ASSOCHAM strongly believes that the management of strategic framework for achievement of Vision must rest squarely within the PMO. This would facilitate focussed attention and immediate intervention for quick results.