The Corona the challenges and the options.

The Corona virus has engulfed the entire globe at an alarming pace. It has sent the administration and governments to their kneels. And the governments are grappling and gasping with the enormity of the situation. The situation is so collosal and humongous that it makes the people who are fighting it clueless and blank. It is natural. The worst example is before us. Italy - one of the most advanced country in the world has given up. Ours is not so much infrastructurally equipped and added to this is one of the most populous countries in the world. So the problem here at home is himalayan. The situation is extraordinary and there is emergency. So facing extraordinary situation with mundane and normal methods is like taking a knife to a gunfight.  It requires extraordinary methods, innovative strategies and out of box thinking. 

Keeping this in mind, Indian government would do well, will be in a better position to fight the war against Corona should it adopt the following measures.

1. Make a war room at central government level consisting of

A. Social scientists (Sociologists) 

B. Eminent doctors

C. Scientists 

D. Planners

E. Administrators 

F. Health administrators

G.Economists

H. Police

This Committee should discuss, deliberate and devise the appropriate measures and swing into action swiftly without loss of precious time. 

This Committee should not hesitate to approach and seek guidance and help from the countries who have successfully tackled the virus.

This Committee should be vested with absolute discretionary powers to take the decisions it deem fit and the government should implement it in all seriousness.

Why this committee is because as I have already noted the usual administrative composition may not have the required competency, technological edge and above all a single command ( a single window type) is very convenient and effective at this juncture. Multiple departments giving multiple directons will only add to the confusion.

Other possible options in addition to the already announced CARES program, government may consider are

A. Introducing tax amnesty scheme to generate the funds. 

B. Let political parties also contribute from their party fund as they are sitting on huge pile of funds. 

C. Let the ruling party set an example as it has collected huge party fund.

D. Let the funds lying with world's richest Gods like Tirupati, Ananthapadmanabha, Shirdi Saibaba, Ayyappaswamy, Mathura, Ayodhya Udupi etc. to name a few be confiscated and used for this emergency.

E. Various religious maths also have huge unaccounted black money. Explore how it can be channelized.

F. Tax amnesty at this time can be 

simplified and limited. For example government can straightaway provide tax amnesty to whoever donates to CARES.

These are all my thoughts. They may sound outlandish but definitely doable. What it requires a will of iron and nerves of steel. And none other than Modiji fits the bill well. He is capable of pulling the rabbit out of the hat.

All the best Modiji in your efforts. The whole nation is with you in this hour of crisis. 

KN Krishnan. 29.03.2020