Articles by Ramaswamy R Iyer

Privatisation Debate: An Alternative Framework Ramaswamy R Iyer I AM delighted that T L Sankar and Y Venugopal Reddy have responded at some length (February 17-24) to my review of their book on 'Privatisation'. I do not propose to join issue with their questioning of some of my comments and criticisms. The purpose of the present reply is to explore certain general conceptual and theoretical questions further.

Studies in Irrigation and Water Management by B D Dhawan; Institute of Economic Growth, Studies in Economic Development and Planning No 53, Commonwealth Publishers, New Delhi, 1989; pp 255 + vi, Rs 240.

Intelligentsia as a Ruling Class An Alternative Hypothesis Ramaswamy R Iyer TO my deep regret, Ashok Rudra's long- awaited response (EPW, August 26) to my comments on his article deals with only a couple of my points and then declines further discussion on the ground that a communication between the two of us is impossible. I cannot force him into communication, but may I offer a few explanations and further comments in the hope that he may change his mind?

Ramaswamy R Iyer We cannot, on environmental grounds, say 'No' to large dams and reservoirs; nor can we, having regard to projections of demand and availability, accept the view that there is no need for such projects. We should certainly accord priority to the utilisation of the potential already created, the reclamation of the potential which has been lost through misuse, and a vast improvement in water management (including both economy in use and recycling). We must encourage extensive local water-harvesting, and undertake re-greening and other measures to retard the rate of run-off and improve the retention of water in the ground. We should also place a much greater emphasis than in the past on minor irrigation, which calls for less immediate investment, promises quicker results, and presents fewer problems. Possibilities such as the use of seawater and the tapping of deep underground aquifers also need to be examined. However, we cannot rule out investment in at least some large-dam projects. Large and small projects, and the use of surface water and groundwater, have to be integral parts of an overall plan of land-use and water-use Jar a drainage basin or watercourse system as a whole. At the same time, considering the heavy costs (financial, human, social and environmental) involved in large-dam projects, we have to be highly selective and extremely cautious regarding approvals to such projects.

The Privatisation Argument Ramaswamy R Iyer THE present note has been partly occasioned by Samuel Paul's review of the international experience of privatisation (EPW, February 6), but is not a rejoinder to that article. While Paul's article is a result of research, this note is merely a piece of reasoning; and while the former does not either advocate or disapprove of privatisation, but is essentially concerned with the extent of success achieved and the factors responsible, the present note is an effort to bring out the logical implications of any proposal for the privatisation of public enterprises.