Manmohan Singh's Birthday: Pivotal economic reforms during his tenure as India's FM

Dr. Manmohan Singh, who celebrates his 91st birthday today, was India's 13th Prime Minister. Before he became PM, he served as India's finance minister from 1991 to 1996.

Here are 5 crucial reforms by the former Prime Minister (PM) and former Finance Minister (FM) of India.

1. Economic Reforms and Liberalization (1991):

Dr. Manmohan Singh, as the Finance Minister of India under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, played a pivotal role in initiating economic reforms and liberalization in 1991. These reforms aimed to open up the Indian economy, reduce government control, and encourage foreign investment. They led to significant changes in India`s economic policies, which ultimately contributed to the country`s economic growth and globalisation.

2. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) 2000

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (Prime Minister's Rural Roads Program) was initiated in the year 2000 when Dr. Manmohan Singh served as the Finance Minister. This initiative had the objective of offering all-weather road connectivity to rural regions, with the aim of fostering rural development and enhancing accessibility and connectivity.

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3. Right to Information Act (RTI) (2005)

During Dr. Manmohan Singh's time in office, the RTI Act was enacted. This law gives citizens the right to request information from government agencies and institutions. This was a landmark piece of legislation aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability.

4. Member of World Trade Organization (WTO)

In the 1990s, India became a founding member of the WTO (World Trade Organization) and committed itself to multilateral rules of engagement in trade. India also began regional and bilateral trade agreements that supported the idea of a South Asian Free Trade Agreement and expressed interest in an India –Asian Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Dr. Manmohan Singh's policies made India a leader of the South Asian Continent, however, it always faced challenges from China as it was an open economy and as a trading nation had a greater impact on India's political and economic policies.

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5. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) (2005):

Dr. Manmohan Singh`s government introduced the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in 2005, later renamed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This social welfare program aimed to provide a legal guarantee of at least 100 days of employment per year to rural households, thereby alleviating rural poverty and unemployment.