ANDHRA PRADESH-Populism and the Plan

Populism and the Plan COMING as it did only two months before the elections to the state Legislature the launching of the Mid- Day Meals Scheme for school children in the age group of 6 to 11 years has naturally been viewed as a pre-election stunt. This widespread impression prevails, despite almost daily denials by the ruling party, because Andhra Pradesh is simply not in a position as of today to take on the financial burden of such a massive and creditable programme. And what surprises most observers is that the state's economy should have come to such a pass when barely a year ago the then Governor of the Reserve Bank of India had commended the state government for its 'prudent financial management'.