Politics of Reliefs

Today was the last day of 14^thLok Sabha. It is may be just a week before notification for general election by CEC. Mr. Finance Minister cum Mr. External Affair minister cum Mr. Proxy Prime Minister (Mr. Pranab Mukharjee) announced Rs. 30,000 Cr . tax relief, Mr. Home Minister announced 6% hike in DA (on the same day when the inflation recorded at the lowest level in the last 12 months), Mr. Petroleum Minister is hinting one more price cut and Mr. Commerce Minister announced some relief for exporters by announcing a duty cut. All this could have and should have been done earlier and not on single day. Now that the elections are near, we may see another round of these popular announcements happening. Though these steps are necessary there is a grey side to this as well. Fiscal deficit is going to be really something to be seriously worried about.

It is very difficult to understand why you need to hike DA of central government employees; when 30% to 40 % salary hike was given to them (6^th pay commission) not long back. When the price of crude oil has stabilized at around $40 since last two months and already prices have been reduced twice in the last month, was one more price cut required? Of course I am happy personally with the price cut but may be it is not good for the country’s financial health.

The question is how long our governments are going to politicize the reliefs given to common man without rationale behind it. The bigger question is how long we, the people of this great nation being fooled by our governments.

 

Youth and Poverty

The whole world today is fighting the recession. The impact of this unprecedented situation can be seen on the Indian youth as well. When see the young generation, they give me an impression that most of them have not done shopping for a long now. Some people I find them wearing younger sister’s top and jeans which is either very tight and most of the times short. Poor kids have to either wear it as low waist or short. The case is not different as far as boys are concerned. They also have content with shirts of father or younger brother so either it is too loose or a short for them.  If somebody gets new shirt stitched he makes it sure that it is not too long in fact it is about 6” less. Girls whenever a Kudata is stitched make sure that it is as short as possible.  When I see them, I am reminded of an old movie Golmal. The protagonist in the films when asked by the boss: “why do you always wear short kudata?”  He gives the boss a philosophical answer: “If all men start wearing the kudata which is short by 6” it can solve the clothing problem of millions of people in the country”.

I think the youth today is inspired by similar kind of thought and have taken up the task of fighting against the recession and poverty. Indeed a noble cause. But as all the wars ask for sacrifice this one is also tough on these kids. They are not getting a right fit dress or something that suit them and end up being wardrobe tsunamis. I pray for the success of the mission that these people have undertaken.