Is this reform?

The UPA government survived the vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha

Hopes have been raised that there would now be more reforms since the left parties no longer can hobble the government.

So the stock markets rallied (maybe) on the back of such hopes.

Business channels have been discussing whether foreign ownership in Indian insurance companies will now be increased to 49%.
Or whether voting reforms or foreign stake increase reforms in Indian banks will go through.

What is the reform in this?

What reform occurs if foreign insurance companies own 49% stake rather than 26%?
What enhanced processes and knowledge does a 49% stake bring in that a 26% stake does not bring in?
Is the additional capital not available in India?

And what about banking reform?
We all are witnessing how foreign banks took unmanageable risks and lost billions of dollars in the USA and continue to lose more.
We are witnessing how there are now bank failures coming through in the developed world.
Are foreign banks really better than Indian banks?

We do need reform, real reform.
Allow public sector banks the ability to compete with private banks in all matters.
Give them total autonomy to run their operations
Reform the compensation structure to attract talent
Allow them to hire and fire depending upon market conditions
We need much more...

We need reform in oil PSUs
We need reform in LIC and GIC and other government isurance companies
We need reform in power

We need real reform, quickly.
Not just token measures that give, at best, marginal benefits...