Does MBBS Make a Better IT Minister?

The Indian media has been agog the last few days analyzing the political ramifications of the recent ministerial reshuffle in the Center. The general opinion has veered towards condemnation of most new ministers; the overall feeling being that most are political appointments made without any thought given on the competence factor. What has got hidden amongst the more high-profile appointments is the fact that Dr. Kruparani Killi has taken over as the new Minster of State for Communications and Information Technology in Electronics Niketan, New Delhi.

While it would be unfair or prejudiced to comment on whether she would prove to be a competent IT minister, the fact is her appointment smacks of the Government's attitude towards perhaps India's sunshine sector of the last two decades-one of utmost low priority.

Dr. Killi is a Congress Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. Born on 19th November, 1965, Dr. Killi studied Medicine. Now how would a practicing medicine person understand and lead India's IT charge in its third sunshine decade (and according to many the most challenging yet) is a question that many laymen like me really do not understand.

In most developed countries, any ministry, particularly one dealing with a sunshine industry, is headed by a professional with an understanding at least (or even better working experience) of the sector. And thankfully, though we have got a professional as the Minister, the irony that the lady comes from a field as different from IT as possible indicates the mindset of the Government. In fact, the more cynical part of myself assures the rest that we should be thankful that political compulsions has not dictated the appointment of a semi-literate or illiterate to the position.

The position either called for the appointment of a seasoned politician with varied experience across different ministries or better the appointment of someone veteran from the industry. The likes of Narayana Murthy, Nandan Nilekani, Sunil Bharti Mittal or Azim Premji spring to mind. And it is not there is no precedence of technocrats being appointed as IT ministers.

While the appointment of a low-profile novice doctor might indicate the low priority given by the State to this sector, it's not that there are no important priorities before the ministry. Post-Raja regime, the whole spectrum allocation mess is still pending and requires astute handling over the next few months.

On the IT front, the anti-outsourcing wave in the US might require more diplomatic handling of the offshoring industry. The domestic industry requires immediate policy formation around vexatious issues like parallel imports, piracy, software taxation amongst others. A slew of e-gov projects are getting pushed into the back burner.

The Srikkakulam lady doctor might yet prove me wrong and turn out to be an astute IT minister. I will be extremely happy to eat humble pie on this one, but nevertheless this incident has shown that Manmohan Government cares two hoots about IT in India. As many of us already believe that IT has shone in India because the government did not care, it's better the industry still follows the ekla cholo re philosophy regarding the government.