'One Nation One Election' Could Boost Economy, Cut Disruptions: Experts NK Singh & Prachi Mishra To JPC
On Wednesday, a meeting of the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) led by BJP lawmaker PP Chaudhary took place in Parliament discussing the crucial One Nation One Election legislation. The subject of the day was titled 'Interaction with Shri NK Singh, former Rajya Sabha Member, Chairman of Fifteenth Finance Commission of India, former Member of the Planning Commission, former Revenue Secretary, Secretary to former Prime Minister and noted economist on the said Bills, assisted by Dr Prachi Mishra, Prof of Economics and Head & Director of Isaac Centre for Public Policy, Ashoka University".
A presentation by NK Singh and Prachi Mishra made a compelling economic case for simultaneous elections. They suggested that holding national and state elections together could significantly enhance India's economic growth, investment climate, and governance efficiency.
They estimated that real GDP growth is 1.5 percentage points higher around simultaneous elections compared to staggered ones, translating into an economic gain of nearly Rs 4.5 lakh crore in today's terms, equivalent to half of India's health budget or a third of the education budget.
They also noted that gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), a proxy for investment activity, is 0.5 percentage points higher after simultaneous elections, reflecting increased confidence among private and foreign investors.
However, frequent, staggered elections are said to cause wide-ranging disruptions to economic and social life. Industries such as manufacturing, construction, tourism, and healthcare suffer from repeated cycles of uncertainty, and migrant workers—who constitute nearly a third of India's population—are especially affected. Repeated elections force them to travel home frequently, leading to lost wages and missed voting rights.
The impact also extends to education and law enforcement. Primary school enrolment dips by 0.5 percentage points around non-simultaneous elections due to teachers being deployed on election duty and schools doubling as polling stations. Crime rates tend to spike more during staggered polls as police forces remain diverted for longer periods.
One of the starkest observations is that India has witnessed elections every single year since 1986, placing the nation in a state of perpetual election mode. This results in the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being enforced up to four times in five years, restricting policymaking and delaying developmental projects.
Moreover, the political consequences of frequent elections include a spillover of populist promises across states and a sharp rise in fiscally unsustainable freebies. Singh warns this trend represents a 'race to the bottom" in fiscal populism.
In agriculture, frequent polls create speculative uncertainty over policies like minimum support prices (MSPs), subsidies, and loan waivers, distorting farmer decision-making and hampering long-term planning.
The findings are likely to fuel the ongoing debate around the feasibility and desirability of One Nation One Election, with proponents arguing that it could improve governance stability, reduce fiscal populism, and enhance policy continuity.
The panel includes members like Supriya Sule (NCP), Mukul Wasnik, Randeep Surjewala, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (all from Congress), Anil Desai (Shiv Sena UBT), and Kalyan Banerjee (TMC). Representing the ruling alliance are Anurag Thakur, Sambit Patra, Bhartruhari Mahtab, Baijayant Panda, Anil Baluni (all from BJP), Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena), and Harish Balayogi (TDP), among others.
The JPC was constituted during the last winter session of Parliament after the Centre agreed to subject the ONOE Bill to detailed legislative scrutiny. Initially tabled by law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, the committee's membership was later expanded to 39, accommodating demands from the opposition.
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
economy election One Nation-One Election parliament
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
23 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Parties step up campaign ahead of Bihar Assembly elections
Ahead of Assembly elections in Bihar, which are likely to be held in October–November later this year, political parties have begun finalising schedules and programmes of senior leaders to woo voters. Union Home Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi district on Friday to lay the foundation stone for a newly constructed temple dedicated to the goddess Sita. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and other senior Cabinet colleagues are also expected to be present on the occasion along with Mr. Shah. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and senior State officials visited the site on August 6 to review preparations for the foundation-laying ceremony. The State government on Thursday urged the Union Railway Minister to construct a railway station at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi district for the convenience of devotees visiting the site. Sitamarhi MP Devesh Chandra Thakur, from the ruling alliance partner Janata Dal (United), said a large number of people, including those from Janakpur in neighbouring Nepal, were expected to participate in the ceremony. The Union government had earlier announced plans to connect Ayodhya's Ram Temple with the Sita temple at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi. The State government has sanctioned over ₹882 crore for the proposed 156-foot tall main temple structure - five feet shorter than Ayodhya's 161-foot Ram Temple - spread over 67 acres with wide walkways and green cover. The government aims to develop the site as a religious tourism hub. Similarly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Gaya in the Magadh division, marking his sixth visit to the election-bound State since January this year. He is expected to inaugurate infrastructure projects worth several hundred crore rupees and address a public meeting. The venue for the meeting is yet to be finalised. 'But, PM's visit at Gaya ji is confirmed,' senior BJP leader and party MLA from Gaya, Prem Kumar, said. The Magadh division has 10 Assembly seats. In the 2020 elections, the NDA and the Opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) had won five seats each. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister visited Bhagalpur, Bikramganj in Rohtas, Motihari, Madhubani and Siwan, where he addressed public meetings and inaugurated projects worth several thousand crore rupees. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is also Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, has visited Bihar several times this year and is likely to launch a matdata adhikar yatra (voter's right tour) in three phases covering as many as 30 districts of the State from August 17. 'It will be like a Bharat Jodo Yatra of our leader,' party leader and MLC Prem Chandra Mishra said. From August 13 to 15, Congress ticket aspirants are expected to submit their forms at the party headquarters in Sadaqat Ashram, Patna. 'Congress Bihar screening committee will be in Patna on August 13–14 at the party headquarters and they will be taking applications from MLA aspirants,' party spokesperson Asit Nath Tiwari said. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, meanwhile, has been announcing a series of sops for teachers, State government employees, sanitation workers and others. Mr. Kumar has also been inaugurating several pending projects aimed at public welfare. Similarly, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, has been travelling across various districts, criticising the ruling NDA. Party leaders said, 'After August 9, Mr. Yadav would start his election campaign more extensively across the State.'
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
MapmyIndia to invest Rs 25 crore in Zepto
Synopsis MapmyIndia will invest Rs 25 crore in Zepto for a 0.0490% stake, valuing the quick commerce startup at Rs 51,000 crore. This investment is part of a larger $250-million secondary deal aimed at increasing Indian ownership and streamlining the company's cap table before its planned public listing.
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
JSW Cement to triple capacity to 60 million tonnes a year, aims to be among top-5 players
Synopsis JSW Cement's Rs 3,600-crore IPO has opened, with plans to triple manufacturing capacity to 60 MTPA. Managing Director Parth Jindal said the company may tap capital markets for funding. The IPO received 29% subscription on day one. JSW Cement aims to be among the top five players post-expansion, leveraging internal accruals and potential stake dilutions for faster growth and acquisitions.
