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| Sunday, 2 October 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Pledges in UNP manifesto unrealistic by Gamini Warushamana The pledges given in the manifesto of the United National Party (UNP) for economic development and the well-being of people are unrealistic and far from the original economic policies of the party. Recent history of the UNP proved that the party is fully committed to adopt extreme neo liberal policies. The Re-gaining Sri Lanka, manifesto of the UNP presented for 2001 general election was a blueprint of extreme neo liberal policies. There was little concern to the marginalised people of the country, rural industries, agriculture, relief to poor, subsidies for uncompetitive vulnerabale/uncompetitive sectors. The party instead stressed the lower budget deficit at any cost. It firmly believed in the old prescription of the World Bank and the IMF. It boldly believed that assistance and concessions provided to the corporate private sector is the only practical way to solve all economic and social issues of the people. It boldly trusted that the market mechanism can do everything and the government had a limited role to play in the economy. This is the rationale behind the UNP government's policy on unemployed graduates, fertiliser subsides, Samurdhi program, railway and transport sector, Sathosa retail market of consumer goods, electricity, water and many utilities as well as the revenue collecting departments of the government such as Inland Revenue Department. The UNP government attempted or sold vital government agencies, cut subsidies and relief for the poor and banned recruitment to government service during its two-year tenure. The rejection of these policies by the people is the reason for the end of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's government even before they completed their tenure. However, the new manifesto of the presidential candidate has reversed these policies. The UNP manifesto contains many unrealistic pledges. It proposes a 10% medium term economic growth ignoring critical internal and external challenges. It proposes Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 4,000 food stamps for Samurdhi recipients. It aims to create millions of new jobs which includes the government sector. Proposals to develop the agricultural sector are interesting and the theme of the manifesto is to go for a Parakum Ugayak or self- sufficient era of king Parakramabahu. In the manifesto it is proposed to give a guaranteed price of Rs. 17 for a Kilo of paddy, which they never considered when they were in power. It proposes subsidies for fertiliser which the party abolished when they were in power. Most of the proposals in agriculture and rural development in the UNP manifesto are similar to the present government's policies that are partly implemented. However, if the UNP is sincere, one could visualise that the party has realised the present global trend. But some proposals such as fixed price for paddy and fixed price for some essential consumer goods are too extreme and even the JVP did not advocate such policies. In paddy purchasing the JVP trusted the market mechanism and intervened to influence competition and break the private monopoly. It was not 100% succesful in the last Maha season, but improved this Yala season. Reducing the cost-of-living and maintaining lower fixed prices are not possible in the present global situation. The manifesto states that Dhal would be sold at Rs. 34 a kilo, a packet of milk powder at Rs.139 and sprats at Rs. 94. In 2002 the UNP government sold "Sathosa", the retail arm of the government which controlled the consumer market. Therefore it is justified if people suspect the contents of the UNP manifesto. |
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