A Muddled Conclave

A Muddled Conclave THE West Bengal conclive of economists (BM, "Economists' Concern at Economic Policy Drift", EPW, October 26) has made some very pertinent recommendations: devolution of resources from Centre to states; use of of surplus food stocks to finance employment generating schemes; encouraging afforestation; selective imports of technology and an increase in indigenous R and D efforts, including in the agricultural sector, and creating an environment that fosters innovativeness; and expansion of home market by the implementation of land reforms and increased outlays on irrigation. However, the conclave leaves much confusion on three basic issues