- The Indian citizens are quite familiar with the political leadership and the various means/measures adopted by them to attract the electorate with an eye on the elections. The ultimate aim of the political parties is to consolidate their respective vote banks which in itself is a complex vortex of caste-based equations. With so many castes competing to stay in focus courtesy of political leaders’ parochial considerations to consolidate on a particular segment, it assumes gargantuan proportions to even comprehend how the complexity plays out. No wonder, there are several regional parties across the country identified with a certain caste with every effort underway to further consolidate. Did someone say polarization? Of course, it is.
PC: freepik
- The moot point to ponder over here is how the governments – both at the Centre and states – try to roll out social welfare schemes to not only keep the several castes interested but also most crucially implement the same to benefit them. It’s well nigh impossible. Let’s look at the available statistics. With several important state assembly elections lined up followed by the big Lok Sabha elections in 2024, will the announced welfare schemes eventually reach out to the intended beneficiaries? No less than the Prime Minister himself ridiculed the revari or freebie culture exhorting the political class of the dangers to the economy owing to unsustainable models. Expect every party worth its salt to announce some such welfare schemes in the coming days.
- For instance, BJP’s manifesto for the Tripura assembly election contains an assortment of welfare schemes. It spans smartphones to special canteens promising meals at Rs 5. No wonder, the election manifestos of most political parties overlap significantly in terms of welfare promises. Of course, any idea that resonates in one state is quickly emulated elsewhere. But very few ideas travel well across states or even between the Centre and states. Why? Because there are two structural reasons for this. Governments are overstretched in terms of their welfare agenda. As statistics reveal, GOI’s budget contained a mind-blowing 780 schemes classified as centrally sponsored and central sector schemes. It’s impossible for either the political executive or bureaucracy to devote adequate attention to all of them.
PC: freepik
- Yes, a few of the most successful schemes such as Swachh Bharat or Ujjwala or Aawas Yojana do well, but it comes down to the prioritization of the political executive. The entire system reacts to the signals sent from the top. Another example is Tamil Nadu’s Amma Canteens emerging as the most successful attempt at providing cost-effective meals. These canteens were even certified under FSSAI. Telangana was the pioneer of investment support to farmers with the Rythu Bandhu scheme offering an annual Rs 10,000 per acre to farmers. Remember, a grab-bag of welfare promises is hardly enough to win over a savvy electorate. Understandably, it’s about latching on to a few big ideas and getting the governance structure to respond effectively.
