Date:03/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/03/03/stories/2005030307690400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Chief Minister for mid-term corrections to reforms

By Our Special Correspondent

The Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, releasing a book written by Y.V. Krishna Rao (third from left) in Hyderabad on Wednesday. The speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy, and others look on. Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

HYDERABAD, MARCH 2. The Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has said mid-term corrections to reforms in the State can be made after ascertaining whether they have helped only those exploiting society and widened the gap between the rich and the poor.

Speaking at a function after releasing a book "Retrospect & Prospect of State Finances" edited and partly written by the veteran CPI leader, Y. V. Krishna Rao, here on Wednesday, Dr. Reddy said the social order was dynamic and situations would not be static forever. In light of this, the reforms might require corrections to suit the changing needs of society. The results of reforms could be best judged on the basis of whether they had ensured a level-playing field or made the rich richer and the poor poorer.

Chinese example

The Chief Minister said there should be no hesitation in launching corrective steps if it was found that unwanted trends had crept into the reforms process. He spoke of how China was trying to give thrust to agriculture for boosting the rural economy which was neglected during the reforms.

China was making efforts to focus on the farmer to achieve the ultimate goal -- equitable distribution of national wealth. He complimented the former Prime Minister, P. V. Narasimha Rao, saying it was he who had launched the liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation reforms in the country in 1991.

Mr. Krishna Rao said the book had been brought out in reference to the recent World Bank publication on the finances of the State and with suggestions to correct the imbalanced situations. The 90-year-old Communist leader is director of the Neelam Rajasekhara Reddy Research Centre which has brought out the 220-page book.

The Speaker, K. R. Suresh Reddy, the Ministers for Finance and Endowments -- K. Rosaiah and M. Satyanarayana Rao -- the CPI floor leader, C. Venkata Reddy, and a few MLAs were present.