- People closely following the fortunes of the political parties in the country would have noticed how the leaderships are straining to devise a workable strategy vis-à-vis offering freebies and dole-outs to various strata of society to impress upon the electorate to vote for them. The trend was always there in the form of manifestos of political parties but the aggressiveness with which the voters are being pursued of late by offering several welfare schemes has caught up big time. Political parties are in the grip of FOMO (fear of missing out). They hence are promising literally everything for free right from travel in government buses, cash dole-outs, ration disbursal, electricity, unemployment stipends, and many more such guarantees. The list is only growing.
PC: Mint
- So much so that even the Prime Minister who was quite vocal about disbursing freebies just like that had to tow the party line by announcing a slew of socio-welfare measures aimed at consolidating the voter’s preferences towards the saffron brigade. Of course, the recently concluded Delhi assembly election was a case in point when all three major political players announced mouth-watering freebies to win over the electorate. Did someone mention where the required additional revenue be generated to accommodate the growing expenditure vis-à-vis promises? What about fiscal prudence, budget deficit, and overall well-being of the state exchequer? Wait for the taxes and cess to go up to mop up additional funds! Brace up Delhiites.
PC: NDTV
- However, note that promises must be delivered as the citizens expect those to be fulfilled especially urban voters who want liveable cities, nothing less. Unfortunately, local bodies are funded poorly and run worse as the experience suggests. Remember, the SC hauled up the Delhi govt and its municipal corporation last year at least four times over piling garbage. The Delhi verdict which went in favour of the BJP showcases how the middle-class swing booted away the AAP. The reason is glaring civic problems like garbage and broken roads playing a decisive role in firming up the middle-class to vote for a change. Thus, parties that have promised Singapores and Shanghais, and roads as smooth as an actress’ cheeks in Patna, should take voters seriously.
PC: Mid-day
- The parties should start fixing city governance forthwith. Mind you, municipal bodies are called the third tier of govt for a reason. Roads, water, sewers, schools, and clinics are their mandate. Sadly, in state after state, their powers have been curbed even though cities house more than a third of India’s people and generate about two-thirds of GDP. Forget smaller cities, elections to BMC – Mumbai’s corporation – are three years overdue. A mammoth budget of almost Rs.75,000cr is left to the discretion of unelected administrators. That’s no way to administer a great city. Empowering India’s municipal corporations would mean deepening their pockets. Double-engined Delhi and Mumbai should start delivering on the promises expeditiously.
