A much-followed new-generation business leader recently rhetorically asked in a social media post that, if we have an economy swinging towards services with a large chunk of it being technology, “Why do we need government?” This is an attempt at answering that question.

1. The Business of
Government
An 8-point Agenda for Growth
Devangshu Dutta
17 May 2014
@devangshu

2. Diversity Needs One Narrative
• Indian elections 2014 – opinions may be fractured, but
the Parliamentary mandate is clear
• Many problems to be tackled at the macro and the
micro-level
• Single narrative to pull the diverse, divided strands of
opinion together: deliver truly inclusive growth
@devangshu

3. India’s Citizens
• Creative and entrepreneurial
• Hungry for growth
• Respectful of heritage, but also devastated by the
decline that has come about over decades, centuries
• Determined to change
• Need the government to shoulder its responsibilities
@devangshu

4. 8-Point Agenda for India’s
Government to Deliver On
• Healthcare
• Power
• Clean Water
• Transportation
infrastructure
• Education
• Environment
• Competition
• Accountability
@devangshu

5. Healthcare
• India’s average life-expectancy = 65.5 years; China &
Brazil close to 73.5 years
• Hospital beds <1 per 1,000 people
• Government healthcare infrastructure underinvested,
underutilised
• Privatisation is not a panacea: most private hospitals
not delivering widespread, affordable care but focussed
on profit maximisation
@devangshu

6. Power
• Per capita consumption: India = 1/3 China, 1/10 USA
• Improved power availability has unimaginable impact
on lifestyle, livelihood and overall quality of life
o Households
o Schools
o Small businesses
• Need improved penetration through off-grid solutions,
and a mix of energy sources
oHealthcare facilities
oAdministration
@devangshu

7. Clean Water
• One train wreck daily, fatalities 100%: would that get
our attention?
>The equivalent, 1600 people estimated to die daily
due to diarrhoea, which is completely avoidable
• Unsafe water estimated to spread 21% of
communicable disease, not only in far flung villages,
but in some of the biggest cities as well
• Management gap, not technological
@devangshu

8. Transportation infrastructure
• Poor transportation cuts people off from opportunities,
and force migration to already overloaded cities
• One of the largest rail networks, but low density (20
km / ‘000 km2), compared to Germany ( 115 km /
‘000 km2, UK: 65, France: 53)
• Roads still behind in length and quality needed
• Where people and goods can move quickly and
freely, both trade and culture flourish, and build the
strongest ties that bind people together.
@devangshu

9. Education
• Educational capacity has predominantly grown in
private hands, where affordability is not the prime
driver
• Enough examples within government schools and
colleges, where individual intent and organisational
systems produces excellence
• Without adequate focus on education, the massive
young population would be a ticking time-bomb of
under-skilled frustrated underachievers
@devangshu

10. Environment
• Climate change and clashes over natural resources
among the highest conflict risks
• “The commons” belong to the people, together;
measuring “growth” only by activities that deplete
common resources is short-termism and selfishness
of the worst sort
• Millions born and die with chronic diseases related to
deteriorating air, depleted water, polluted soil and
disappearing vegetation
@devangshu

11. Competition
• Competition brings fragmentation, but it is also an
essential source of innovation, which combats not
just present risks but future threats as well
• Self-moderation not expected from large business
• Need to protect against unethical, anti-customer,
anti-competitive behaviour grows with the economy
• Needs lower investment compared to other items
on the 8-point Agenda, but needs huge intent &
follow-through on the government’s part
@devangshu

12. Accountability
• None of these can happen without transparency in
governance, and productivity (respect for schedules,
budgets and commitments) in government
> “Government service” seen as a ticket to a
reasonably comfortable employment. Small start:
replace the phrase with “public service” – serving
the public at large.
• Central theme: “uphold the law”, “enable each citizen
a fair chance of success”, & “deliver, deliver, deliver”
@devangshu

13. Summing Up
• These determine the dignity with which citizens lead their lives
• Some areas need more government emphasis, some need less
private emphasis, some need both to work together
• Without these, even the most capable individual, the best private
company would find it easier to make a life, a living elsewhere
• It’s time to move! Most would rather move something, than
somewhere.
Read the Article:
On Third Eyesight’s website
On PVC Partners’ website @devangshu
Healthcare Power Water Transportation Infrastructure
Education Environment Competition Accountability