'Agenda of PM's independence speech was to reassure common man'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commemorating India’s 70th Independence Day, emphasized on the reforms that have been brought in by the current government and laid down its future plans. PM was addressing the public at the Red Fort. Experts on CNBC-TV18 feel that Modi’s speech reiterated the government’s initiatives and the need for unity across the country for all issues. “Most reassuring is the manner in which he (Modi) politically packaged the economic reforms,” says AK Bhattacharya, Editor of Business Standard adding that it was a people-friendly speech. The prime minister made it clear that while there won’t be many new policies in coming time, implementation of existing policies and schemes will take place, says Swarajya magazine’s R Jagannathan. The Independence Day speech marks the almost mid-point for this government and hence, the implementation, not introduction, takes the front seat. Biocon's CMD Kiran Majumdar Shaw too believes that the speech was more to make common man aware of the work done so far and what can be expected in the future. While many economic policies have been implemented, impact of them is yet to be felt on almost 52 percent of the farmer population, says Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Manipal Global Education. If people see impact of policies by 2017, then the government stands a chance to succeed in 2019 elections. Reiteration of policies is to fulfill the bigger objective, says Pai. A lot more needs to be done to achieve the mantra of ‘one country, one market’. The upcoming Goods & Services Tax Bill will play a crucial part in this, says Bhattacharya. However, Pai believes more needs to be done to improve technology and digital connectivity in India.