Demonetization is an imperative step for the country, but in order for it to be successful one needs to incorporate six-hour shifts across all sectors, including public sector organizations. This is the idea suggested by Anil Bokil, the founder of Arthakranti Foundation, who feels that implementation of short work days would help increasing the GDP growth.

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In an exclusive interview with DNA, Bokil also expressed the need for doing away with the idea of looking to other countries to aid India in tackling its problems. Excerpts

Has demonetization reduced corruption in the country?

 Firstly, it’s not accurate to call it demonetization, as it is the de-currencification of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.  Arthakranti, which is people movement that works towards ensuring happiness for every Indian, had suggested many measures including doing away with all the currency notes above Rs 50 and our suggestions are well-recorded and have been placed in public domain for a long time now. One has to understand that in a country like India, cash transactions have resulted in making every individual a participant of day-to-day corruption. In that sense it has hit corruption, but the main culprits were the R 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Has demonetization succeeded in achieving its goals?

 There is no question of terming it as a success or failure since the Government has already implemented it. In any case, India has to march ahead.  Our proposal was like a GPS signaling system. The GPS cannot turn the steering wheel, but will show us directions and even if the driver makes a mistake, an alternative route is provided. It’s the same principle for de-currencification; it was the first step that needs direction

What steps should the government take regarding the Rs 2,000 note?

Had the government removed the Rs 1,000 denomination notes first, and slowly introduced Rs 200 notes, while removing Rs 500 notes, then people would not be so affected by de-currencification. But given that we are a cash-rich economy, it was a good move by the government to do it the way they did. It also helped that they were in the majority so they did not face opposition.

Now, the government should consider changing the present 8-hour duty shift to six hours. It would result in tripling the GDP in a matter of one year and would provide jobs for youth.

What is the biggest challenge now and what is the solution?

Now de-currencification is in the past and we are suggesting 6-hour duty since credit is improving and the major problem is job creation.

India is a tropical country and we know that most people work anything between 3.5 and 4 hours in an eight-hour shift. So in order to increase productivity, make working days six hours, so that people in mid-senior and senior level jobs can also have family time. This will also help in employing first-time jobseekers     

The country needs to be divided in to two shifts of 6 hours each so that jobs are created, wealth creation with improved GDP by availing returns from additional 2 hours productive time out of changed shifts. It would result in double employment in all sectors and when salaried people would increase housing capacity since all these people can avail housing loans and result in increasing GDP thrice. It would show results in villages since there also agriculture would be supported by additional jobs in the families which can bring down agrarian crisis.