When the Indian farmers are protesting against the farm laws (which the Govt thinks in its wisdom that they are for their benefit) and the others opposing  National Asset Monetisation scheme, it reminds us of late 80s and early 90s when India had launched its economic reforms. Rather the whole era right from the time when Mr Rajeev Gandhi tried revolutionizing the telecom sector and opening up of the economy, India witnessed almost similar kind of voices from opposition ; India is being sold to capitalists, India’s integrity will be endangered, Govt is once again inviting East India Company ,The Govt is anti poor and so on.

The economic reforms although heralded a new era in India’s history but we continue to hear similar kind of noises, whenever the reforms are brought in, the only difference is – Earlier BJP was opposing and now it is trying to bring reforms.

In 90s the Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee was extremely critical of the Govt’s approach to foreign investment and as usual it argued that Foreign Direct Investment would be detrimental to India’s interests. Even Yashwant Sinha, criticised the industrial policy reforms. They blamed the Govt for selling India. The Left parties position has not changed, they were then also opposed to the liberalization process that Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao and Dr. Singh had embarked upon.

Thus the economic reforms that kick-started in 1991 despite the massive opposition both by the BJP and Leftists brought about expansion of the services sector that was helped largely by a liberalised investment and trade regime. The reforms also reduced poverty significantly as has been indicated by various Human development Indices over the years.

The share of services in GDP has increased 20 percentage points since 1991, reflecting a decisive change in the nature of India's economic output. The chart on top is an indicator as to how the Reforms changed the course of Indian economy.

It would therefore not be wrong to state that - What we are today in 2021 is purely because of the conviction and commitment of Dr Singh and Narsimhan Rao towards Reforms.

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It surely can not be ruled out that many protesters have political motive but there may be other reasons also which might have been bothering the farmers. Lets not dismiss the problems right at the outset.

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Not going into the detailed definition of middle class so as to avoid any dilution of the importance of the subject, it is enough to state that middle class mainly comprises of people who are dependent on salary and their tax is deducted at source. .

The middle class grew in size to approx 350 million and in purchasing power post economic reforms in 90s launched by Narsimha Rao’s Govt in 90s.  Some claim that the middle-class makes up 28 per cent of the total population and 79 per cent of the total taxpayer base. As its purchasing power grew, India’s economy also grew in size. India’s influence in global arena has enhanced because of the immense contribution of the middle class . India’s middle class has played an important role in the unprecedented growth of India’s IT Sector. Most of the CEOs of top MNCs today, Engineers and Management experts, technocrats, artisans, sales persons, Accounting experts working in Service sector, Retail show rooms, Banking sector, Scientists of ISRO have come from India’s middle class.

It would not be wrong to state that India’s middle class is an engine of India’s growth. They are also associated with social progress—freedom of press, education and gender equality. The middle class, particularly post economic reforms is a causal factor behind India’s improved economic and social outcomes.

Besides the above, it is this class which pays maximum tax to the Government; direct or indirect. It is this class that toils hard and pays its hard earned money through GST and other taxes when it buys - Petrol/Diesel, Cars/motorcycles, consumer items, TV sets, computers, laptops, travels in planes/ trains, takes his family out for a dinner and so on.

However unfortunately it gets nothing in return from the Govt despite Govt making huge profits from him. Millions of Indians who form the backbone of the country’s middle class are being literally squeezed of their earnings without getting anything in return.

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The urgency for reforms in civil services may be dictated as much by the imperatives of global developments as by the forces of new technology and communication but more importantly by what has been happening in the country, off late - misgovernance.

Many Media reports state that almost 4- 5 million people have perished in India during this pandemic and those who have lost their near and dear ones have had the traumatic experiences of those days. The administrative machinery had just melted. Secondly, the manner in which Political masters have started interfering with the administration it has made the system absolutely defunct, ineffective, lethargic and callous , the system  now  does  not work for citizens , it rather harasses them and it starts only if the politicians kick start it.

If SC has to call CBI as Caged Parrot, which only repeats what its Political masters tell him to speak , then there has to be something seriously wrong with the system of crime investigation in the country.

Lastly, Mr. Asthana, a 1984-batch IPS officer, was to retire on July 31 but just a few days before his retirement he is appointed as the Police commissioner of Delhi Police and given an extension that too against the SC rulings. And surprisingly who does all this – A Committee headed by PM himself. Astonishingly he was serving as Director General, Border Security Force. What has BSF, which is a Border security force has got to do with Policing. Was Mr Asthana trained in tactics, handling of weapons like Mortars and field guns.

When the pandemic started spreading in Mar2020, many Govt officials heading districts and tehsils had to be shunted out as they were found incapable to handle the situation. The same thing happened in Apr2021 when the citizens had to face grave shortages. The administrative machinery was just not geared up even after a year of pandemic.

So, If this chalta hai attitude has to go and India has to progress, the first thing that has to happen is ; modernize the bureaucracy and make it professional. Bureaucracy includes Police service and other All India services.

Although comprehensive reforms in the civil service, is ideal, but it It is also too complex to implement all at once. It would require a sustained commitment from political and administrative leaders and can not happen immediately. It is doubtful that any country would have ever undertaken comprehensive reforms.

So to begin with,

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