Modi’s Need for Control Impairs India’s Virus Recovery
Giving states more freedom to act on their own might have mitigated both the human and economic damage.
Do as you’re told.
Photographer: NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images
The gradual reopening of India’s economy after a 43-day coronavirus lockdown has been marred by a hyper-centralization of decision-making. Deepening mistrust between New Delhi and the 28 states threatens to splinter the country’s common market of 1.3 billion people, its biggest draw for investors.
With infections surging by nearly 50% to cross 70,000 since the shutdown was eased about a week ago, it’s clear that one-size-fits-all rules have been less than a stellar success. They have forced states to sacrifice the little revenue they generate by, among other things, taxing fuel and alcohol. That’s left them fighting for a fair and timely share of dwindling federal resources, and scrambling to raise funds in the bond market.