New Delhi:
Arun Jaitley speaks during the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in New Delhi.
Here are the highlights:
Not much grievance against the decade of 50s and 60s, it was 70s and 80s that was a lost opportunity
If I look back the last 67 years, I'm quite willing to accept that early years after independence resources were not enough
The quality of political debate in India has to change
Things did begin to change in 1991 and it's a great lesson that we have to learn from the last 23 years and the decades before that
The quality of political debate in India has to change
The mindset of polity has to change - it can't be how can I block reforms. All institutions must change with the changed times
State governments have to realize there is a very important role for them - the country grows if states grow
Extremely important that the credibility of the decision-makers is always there
The environment in the country has to be conducive for growth.
Despite a great desire to reform since 1991, structurally education is one sector that has been kept out of the reform process
Face with two contrary trends - credit offtake not taking place and the stream of international visitors
In the medical sector shortages remain
Rural infrastructure is an area where we have not concentrated in a big way, tribal areas remain neglected
What was considered a touch-me-not area, we decided to open up the Railways. People have to decide whether they want a world-class railways or a ramshackle one
On opening up the Defence sector: seems to be a lot of interest in people teaming up with counterparts in India
We're on the verge of opening up our insurance sector a little more - and focus of debate has to shift from how do I block it to what are the consequences of my action
Those who are supposed to pay taxes must pay, unsustainable demands won't get you revenue
Unsustainable demands earn us a bad name
Indirect taxes do remain a challenge as our manufacturing sector has to grow
My proposal for GST is almost ready and hope to introduce it in this session of Parliament
Global economy still patchy; India is coming back as a 'preferred destination'
We're at a crucial stage where we mustn't exhaust our patience
Once the political leadership is decisive, the rest of the decision-making also become simple
The RBI is a very responsible institution and has served this country well.
This is one of the strengths of the Indian system- we're able to put across contrarian viewpoints publically
My unhappiness is participating in this discussion doesn't mean X slams Y... that is how it gets reported
Moving on with the economy is a very serious subject, you don't have to sensationalise it
Some of the more challenging decisions - like undoing tax decisions - and tax legislations are only in the lower house - undoing not the compensation part but the procedural part of the land law, I think is a big problem and will require a lot of effort
If we are able to take the right decisions, global investors are going to increasingly look at us
Pleasantly surprised that a large number of Japanese institutions are willing
I'm principally for privatisation of sectors where the government can get out
Governments taking commercial decisions can never do it in an oppressive environment
As far as domestic black money is concerned, sectors in which it operates is not unknown - jewellery, real estate, mining...
As far as money stacked abroad is concerned, one has to be cautious of adventurist solutions, legally follow the right course
On Supreme Court censure for CBI chief: Governments have to be careful making these appointments
Just look at the manner in which such institutions have been used
Look at what we have done with the CBI - appointments made to have pliable directors
Economic reforms must be blended with competent and clever politics