CMs meeting CMs in Switzerland to sign deals, criminal waste of money: Rajiv Shukla
The ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The annual gathering of global leaders, economists, and business moguls is meant to facilitate discussions and forge partnerships that can help shape the future of the world economy. However, this year’s edition has been marred by controversy, particularly with regards to the participation of Indian Chief Ministers.
Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Shukla has been vocal in his criticism of the Indian CMs’ presence at the forum, calling it a “criminal waste of money.” In a scathing attack, Shukla questioned the logic behind state governments signing agreements with Indian companies in a foreign land, when they could have easily done so in India.
“It’s strange…Indians are going to Davos to meet Indians,” Shukla said, highlighting the absurdity of the situation. “State governments are signing agreements with Indian companies in Switzerland, which they could’ve done in India,” he added. The fact that Chief Ministers are meeting their counterparts from other states in Davos, rather than in their own country, has been particularly galling for Shukla.
“CMs are meeting CMs in Davos. It’s a criminal waste of money,” he exclaimed. The sheer expense of attending the forum, including travel, accommodation, and other costs, is a significant burden on the taxpayer. When one considers that these meetings could have been held in India, at a fraction of the cost, it becomes even more difficult to justify the expenditure.
The World Economic Forum is an annual event that brings together leaders from around the world to discuss pressing global issues. While it is true that the forum provides a platform for networking and deal-making, it is not the only such platform available. In fact, India has its own equivalents, such as the Vibrant Gujarat summit, which has been successful in attracting investment and fostering partnerships.
Moreover, the fact that Indian CMs are signing agreements with Indian companies in Switzerland raises questions about the lack of transparency and accountability. Why are these deals being signed in a foreign country, rather than in India, where they can be subject to greater scrutiny and oversight? What are the terms and conditions of these agreements, and how will they benefit the people of India?
The criticism leveled by Rajiv Shukla is not unfounded. The participation of Indian CMs in the World Economic Forum has been a subject of controversy in the past as well. In 2020, several CMs had attended the forum, at a cost of several crores of rupees to the taxpayer. At the time, opposition parties had criticized the move, saying that it was a waste of public money.
This year’s edition of the forum has been no different. With several CMs in attendance, the expense of their participation is likely to run into several crores of rupees. When one considers the many pressing problems facing India, from poverty and unemployment to healthcare and education, it becomes difficult to justify the expenditure on attending a foreign forum.
In conclusion, the criticism leveled by Rajiv Shukla is a timely reminder of the need for greater transparency and accountability in governance. The participation of Indian CMs in the World Economic Forum may have its benefits, but it is essential to weigh these against the costs and consider whether the same outcomes could be achieved at a lower expense.
As the world’s largest democracy, India has a responsibility to its citizens to ensure that public money is spent wisely. The fact that CMs are meeting CMs in Davos, signing agreements with Indian companies, and incurring significant expenses in the process, is a clear indication that something is amiss.
It is time for the government to rethink its approach to attending foreign forums and to consider more cost-effective and transparent ways of facilitating international partnerships. Only then can we ensure that public money is being spent in the best interests of the people of India.
Source: https://x.com/ShuklaRajiv/status/2013664724563726652
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