Economic
Highlights
New Delhi, 1 April 2019
Parties Clueless Of
PMP
DOLES NO LONGER LURE
By Shivaji Sarkar
This election is about PMP --- poverty
management programme --- an economic agenda that is unclear and all political
parties apparently are looking for an issue.
Post-election the nation is likely to have a
new economic path as there is going to be one or the other coalition-led Government.
It suits the country as decisions are the result of confabulations and more
transparency which is likely to benefit the people.
Yes, the campaign trail has brought the
common man at the centre of the political spectrum. There is, however, little
clarity on how to remove poverty, a nagging issue since the days of Indira Gandhi’s
garibi hatao.
The poll battle has brought to the fore the
pathetic state of the country where still 25 crores people remain absolutely
poor with affluent politicians keen on luring them. The Congress with its Rs
72,000 offer, many may call it a bribe is keen on bagging their votes.
It may cost, if implemented, about Rs 18 lakh
crores a year. While the total tax receipt is estimated at Rs 17.05 lakh crores
in 2018-19. This might reduce next year as about 2 lakh crores taxpayers would
go out of the net.
The BJP has pitted Rs 6,000 a year for
farmers and is harping on pension for different classes of people. The Congress
General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi has indirectly challenged it by saying that
her party would restore pension abolished by NDA-I. It is the Congress way of
trying to solve a crisis of the retired. Or is it a narration of non-success of
the 2004 National Pension Scheme?
The aggressive BJP is harping on 431
programmes of the Modi Government. Party workers, however, are mostly not aware
that their Government has such a large number of people-oriented programmes.
They are finding it difficult to argue with voters on Ujjwala, Ujala, MUDRA,
skill-India, toilets and valour of the Government in tackling Pakistan and
nationalism.
The last one has silenced voters and they are
apprehensive of expressing themselves. The youth in particular is in a daze as
the job data puzzles them. As one moves through universities and educational
institutions, the 4.5 crores new voters are wondering whether there is any
forward thinking process. Loud campaigns put them off as do family-held parties
or jingoism.
The youth wants a new political course,
dispensation and approach. They are confused that even after 70 years, the religious
divide that had led to Partition is still wide; caste sways the political
choice and most of the candidates are not aware of economic issues.
Besides, doles do not attract them and jobs,
despite the offer to be a pakorawalla, are not to be found. Rather in
states like Kerala, the sinking fortunes in Gulf countries and job losses are
becoming an issue.
Worse, corruption bogs them but the refrain
seems to be that it has become a part of the nation’s culture notwithstanding vociferous
post-demonetisation claims. The small traders, salaried and others are terrorised
by the tax administration and higher rent seeking. Moreover, cash is a critical
issue in the rural and trade sector. Bankisation of the economy has put more
costs and inflation.
Unfortunately, the figures of petrol prices
and inflation have become suspect and so also the growth figures. Many ask if
there is growth? Why disparity has increased between 2006 and 2015? Why more
people have sub-standard jobs? Why reservation is not working? Why rural
distress is growing and why farmers despite doles continue to commit suicide?
The issue of “chowkidar” is discussed along-with whether such allegations are being
levelled against top persons or not.
The village chaupals in western UP give partial answers. Many septuagenarians recall
that in the 1962 election, the opposition had given the slogan Pt Nehru chor
hai but he not only ignored it but also
never even raised his voice against such perceived indecency.
During 1974, Indira Gandhi, amid such
onslaught merely said “Haathi chalaa
jaata hai” at a rally in Lucknow. Villagers assert that Hinduism is about
tolerance and the big ones must have a large heart.
Cash is a significant but silent issue in BIMARU
states, be it western UP, Haryana, MP and Bihar villages. Poll managers need to
understand that banks are considered oppressive and the poor are wondering why
banks should penalize those who cannot maintain a minimum balance.
Villagers, domestic maids and the poor are
losing and criticizing the Rs 5,000 crores earnings by State Bank of India and
other Government banks. They question whether the banks are for the rich only
and why they are in huge losses.
Additionally, the more the parties want to
address PMP the more they are getting into a vortex as roads and airports are
not enthusing voters. Village elders say such mindless road constructions and
airports, an obvious reference to the upcoming Jewar airport in Bulandshahr
would lead to desertification of fertile regions.
Political workers fend off such “unwise,
anti-development” questions while opposition parties are in a quandary on the
development issue.
Importantly, the basic rural issue is destruction
--- of their homes, hearth and jobs --- as development projects would benefit
real estate developers and middle men. They argue, development is mindless as
it is mostly in thickly populated rural areas.
This raises a vital question: Are institutions
like NITI Ayog which replaced Planning Commission or NIPFP clueless or not?
These stark questions expose the hollowness of the political system. Have our
leaders drifted away from the people?
Rural discussions expose that our leaders
have lost touch. The rural masses want a comfortable life but not at the cost
of basics. Land holding still is crucial for them, not as family pride but to
protect nature as well.
They don’t want doles as they have self-pride
but want their sugarcane dues paid by mills on time. The potato farmers desire
they get their price and not be hounded by tax marauders.
Strangely, leaders don’t delve or discuss these
points at rallies. Consequently, people feel real issues are not being touched
and loud campaigns are aimed at junking these issues.
In sum, PMP is not working and clueless
political parties are failing to connect with the masses. Hence, the elections
are likely to spring many surprises and post-poll India might rewrite its
economy. ---- INFA
(Copyright,
India News & Feature Alliance)
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