Dr Basudev Sahu is a noted economist and novelist. He authors many economic books. He was also a former President of Orissa Economic Association and an executive body member of Indian economy Association. Dr. Sahu presently working as the Director of Jaya Prakash Naryan Institute.

In an exclusive interview to Orissadiary Bhubaneswar bureau Chief Sasmita Rout, he spoke about various economic problems of Orissa and it’s possible solution.

Orissadiary: In which field the Orissa government should given priority in the coming 2006-07 budget?

Dr Basudev Sahu: The first and for most requirement is crop planning. The areas which are not having crops due to either lack of irrigation facilities or proper planning is not done by the government or the people that areas on the basis of soil testing should be taken up for the appropriate type of crop cultivation. That is why crop planning should be given more emphasis. And timely implementation of any scheme is urgently needed and for the time bound programme and instruction should be given to the officer in charge or the administration to take care of the scheme. The diversion of resources from one head to another head would hamper the original project should be avoided.

The land reform is objectively needed particularly the tenacity problem in tribal areas. These lands are not given to the tribal and they appeals in various circles which are being organized by the Naxlites and other terrorists .The Orissa government should give first attention of the tenancy problems and the rights of the tribal in forest areas in this budget.

Orissadiary: Expenditure controls majors taken by the government affects to the employability and livelihood of the poor people. What should be done to address such problems?

Dr Basudev Sahu: Now the government is reducing expenditure in essentials fields like education and health, which is doing much harm than good. So other expenditure like establishing of building should be reduced but health and educational aspects should not be allowed to suffer. The expenditure on salary head of the educational aspect and health aspect should not cut. Expenditure cut has to be made but essential expenditure will do long term arbitrary good. Whether money may be borrowed or loan may be obtained but the basic necessities should not be allowed to suffer.

Orissadiary: What are the new sources of revenue generation for Orissa government?

Dr Basudev Sahu: Now Orissa government has introduced the professional taxes. I think the application of taxes laws and its actual implementation is not satisfactory. Government should under take through survey of urban shops whichever earning per annum above the minimum should be ask to submit the term and pay the income tax. In fact the private traders or small professional are not into the tax rate. So this is important to through study in bigger cities and towns or at least district headquarters to see on an average how far the small shops have to pay income tax. So minimum taxation will be collected on the basis of through study.

Another source of revenue is royalty, which is not given much by the centre. So there should be annual revision of royalty by which the state should get more share from the center because of sell of mineral resources. The poor states like Orissa Bihar MP have no other resources than the resources under earth. So more royalty should be given to these states for their rich minerals and mines.

Dr Basudev Sahu: Rehabilitations where the plan is being implemented for the set up industry or any project etc, the persons to be affected will be tackled through mutual understanding between the native people, the concern company and the government, the actual compensate should be given. The government is getting Rs 3 lakhs or Rs 4 lakhs per acre from the multinational company and giving only Rs 30 thousand to the owner of the land. So actual compensate should be given to the affected people.

Secondly where they are to be settled, that should be told them in advance and the choice of the native people is taking consideration. The government should not arbitrarily displace them.

Third before displacing them the company or the government should construct houses for them. So people have faith on the company that they can be settled properly. Fourth they should have some sort of share in the company either by the employment or some percentage share in company profit for giving their land.

Dr Basudev Sahu: Definitely it will affect. The company which are coming to the state facing stiff opposition. The construction of the company may delay, disturbances are continue and their production may be affected etc. So the situation should be avoided and proper understanding should be set up between the organization, the people and the government. Every thing should be done in transparent way.

Dr Basudev Sahu: Broadly displacement and rehabilitation, what the opposition is getting an upper hand because they take some clauses particularly the sell of minerals through the company outside the country is exhausting our resources. The number of productions of iron ore which have signed with the multinational company is exhausted our mineral resources. Within 30 years what will happen for our mineral resources. That is why we should have to move very economically and cautiously. For this reason people are supporting the opposition party and this is their right to oppose.

Dr Basudev Sahu: Economic growth would increase on when proper governance is done. The first requirement is proper administration, which runs smoothly and efficiently. And every project and scheme should be done honestly and sincerely.

The second requirement is decentralization method is applied for both planning as well as administration. The resources which are being obtained either from the centre or from state should be given to the local planning board i.e. Panchyat Raj. Planning should be regional and it should according to the need of regional people so that more production and employment will be generated.

Orissadiary: As you were a teacher what is your opinion about present teaching pattern and past teaching pattern?

Dr Basudev Sahu: Previously students were not frustrated; teachers were very much sincere to their profession. The position of the teachers in the society in compare to others was very respectable. But now stiff competition is taking place. So neither teacher nor the students is sure about their carrier. Besides this implementation of the various government policy are not encouraging. The administration are just getting money from the centre and utilizing in other ways and the UGC programmes are not done in proper way. Autonomous college have different selection procedure, they are selecting only talented teachers. So that the posts are not filled and the classes are not done regularly. Syllabuses have changed from time to time. Both teachers and the students are facing problems. The teachers are not getting refresher course or any training programme properly.

Dr Basudev Sahu: It is increasing competitiveness not unemployment. Professionalisation and vocationalisation are necessary but along with industrializations should be developed. So that they will get absorb there. In India and as well as in Orissa the industrialization process is not up to mark. Now in India the industry has accounted only 24% of the national income where in agriculture is 28%. So more industry should be developed to generate more employment.

Sasmita Rout
Email: susrout@gmail.com