»SukhMani«
*Nirbhau Nirvair*
New Delhi: The race to Rashtrapati Bhawan may be over but the hunt now begins to find a replacement for Pranab Mukherjee in the Finance Ministry. Corporate India is hoping that the Prime Minister himself keeps the portfolio during this economic crisis.
Pranab is the UPA's Presidential nominee, his name was announced by the UPA and endorsed by all its allies. The congress will now start looking for a new Finance Minister. But what is corporate India's expectation from the new minister in this crucial portfolio?
The corporate India is looking forward to a reformer in the north block. Former Infosys director Mohandas Pai said, "Corporate sector is disappointed with the Finance Minister's budget which sends back to the pre-reforms days. India Inc is relieved and hoping for a finance minister who will be much more open, transparent and growth oriented."
But who will be that person? The spin-doctor of 1991 Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister himself is likely to hold the portfolio temporarily and sneak in some changes he wants.
The other options for the post are - Jairam Ramesh, sharp thinker, advisor to various finance ministers including Dr Manmohan Singh - known more recently from his no nonsense stint at the environment ministry can pack quite a punch.
P Chidambaram, despite several controversies the former finance minister's name is also doing the rounds as he has an appetite to take decisions.
C Rangarajan, Currently the chairman of the Prime Ministers' Economic Advisory Council and the former RBI governor, a person the Prime Minister has turned to fix things could also step up and finally Montek Singh Ahluwalia, an economist and civil servant, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission is also holding a slight chance.
The challenge is immediate and daunting. How to restore India's economic growth miracles, the omens are not good, a farewell to incredible India could also mean a farewell to the party in power.
Pranab is the UPA's Presidential nominee, his name was announced by the UPA and endorsed by all its allies. The congress will now start looking for a new Finance Minister. But what is corporate India's expectation from the new minister in this crucial portfolio?
The corporate India is looking forward to a reformer in the north block. Former Infosys director Mohandas Pai said, "Corporate sector is disappointed with the Finance Minister's budget which sends back to the pre-reforms days. India Inc is relieved and hoping for a finance minister who will be much more open, transparent and growth oriented."
But who will be that person? The spin-doctor of 1991 Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister himself is likely to hold the portfolio temporarily and sneak in some changes he wants.
The other options for the post are - Jairam Ramesh, sharp thinker, advisor to various finance ministers including Dr Manmohan Singh - known more recently from his no nonsense stint at the environment ministry can pack quite a punch.
P Chidambaram, despite several controversies the former finance minister's name is also doing the rounds as he has an appetite to take decisions.
C Rangarajan, Currently the chairman of the Prime Ministers' Economic Advisory Council and the former RBI governor, a person the Prime Minister has turned to fix things could also step up and finally Montek Singh Ahluwalia, an economist and civil servant, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission is also holding a slight chance.
The challenge is immediate and daunting. How to restore India's economic growth miracles, the omens are not good, a farewell to incredible India could also mean a farewell to the party in power.
