Page 132 - Abhivruddhi

scarce resources in agriculture. Singapore was mentioned as model for
developing the financial and services sector with special reference to
tourism.

Role of Information Technology in fueling the Five-Trillion dream
Respondents believed that information technology, particularly
internet, cloud, tools, platforms, and apps are at best enablers. However, all
agreed that information technology has the potential to make economic
growth more inclusive by providing employment opportunities for
women, differently abled, skilled, and semi-skilled workers in rural and
urban areas. As we see, the growth of E-Commerce has fueled growth in
low skilled jobs in logistics sector.
Respondents also noted that IT has the potential to facilitate ease of
doing business, which has been India’s Achilles heel. Digitising processes
will help build transparency, convenience, and timeliness.

Other areas of focus
• Ease of doing business: Need to eliminate middlemen, particularly
in agricultural commodities. Land and labour reforms will further
facilitate this and reduce political interference and bureaucratic red
tape. In addition, it was suggested that the system of getting approvals
from government authorities should be time bound and a system of
‘negative approvals’ (a response may be sent only to flag issues and
concerns otherwise absence of response may be deemed as approval)
may be put in place to reduce uncertainty and the prospect of bribes.
• Education system overhaul: Need for affordable medical education,
more vocational courses, need for incentivizing teachers
• Swach Bharat needs to be taken to the next level. A ‘clean’ India will
boost the image of Brand India and impact all sectors.
• Need for attitudinal change among Indians to focus away from
wealth accumulation towards more discretionary spending to boost
economic growth.

Media Coverage
Media is often referred to as the Fourth Estate or the fourth pillar
in addition to executive, legislature and the judiciary. Particularly in a
democracy, it has a significant role in framing economic, political and
social issues and influencing public opinion.
India’s goal of becoming a five trillion-dollar economy has received

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