There is much talk of social welfare schemes and social inclusion in the country. There was much focus on rural development and enlargement of economic reformation measures in delivery of speeches during election campaigning by political leaders specially congress party and UPA stalwarts. But now UPA led by Congress Party without having the fear of blackmail by coalition partners have come to power with much euphoria. People are therefore justified in expecting good award from present government and at least comfort in prices of commodities which are of common use.
Unluckily the financial health of the country is so weak (deficit of 12% of GDP) that ruling party cannot visualize extending facility to rural population or introducing new schemes. As a matter of fact they can postpone such populism for at least next five years. When the next election will come close they will think of distributing charity at the cost of financial health of economic future of the country as they usually do. During this intervening period mere promises, creation of hype through friendly media people and framing policies in this regard will suffice the purpose. A few leaders here and there in rural areas has to be calmed down by giving some cream post or by extending some personal benefits to a few local leaders in prominent villages or at least in each district who will act as broker and mobiliser of votes for next election .
As such neither there is any strategically need of extending charity now to general mass , nor does UPA desires to do so now and nor the economic position permits to do so.
But if ruling party really aspires to keep rural mass and general mass happy, they must make best efforts to improve the distribution system and clean the administrative machinery so that at least the ongoing schemes of subsidies or rural charity or development schemes are honestly and seriously implemented at grass root level and the fund for development of infrastructure, educational institutes and hospitals are utilized fully for the purpose they are meant for.
People of India in general do not want alms or reservation, but they definitely want clean, quick and effective administration and they specially want to get rid of torturous and corruption-ridden officers, MLAs, MPs, Ministers and lastly political workers spread in each and every nook and corner of the country who in the name of VIPs make a profession of looting poor, innocent, uneducated, unskilled and helpless general mass.
It is undisputable truth that any party cannot befool voters by giving alms of a few hundred rupees either in the form of subsidy or stipend or pension or relief by way of reservation without creating job opportunities. Neither can they expect voters to give return gift in lieu of loans waived nor can anyone really hope increase in vote share by signing nuclear deal. It is only clean administration which can create a stable image of the party and create scope for continuance in power.
When voters can award JD(U) in Bihar ,BJD in Orissa, Congress Party in Delhi,Uttrakhand, AP and Rajasthan, BJP in Gujarat, Chattishgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh ,Jharkhand and elsewhere inspite of all hype created by Rahul and Sonia on the one hand and L K Advani, Prakash Karat , Lalu , Mayawati, Mulayam on the other hand, voters can give resounding victory to congress party in the next election if they are successful in giving effective governance, honest administration, sound law and order situation, honest judiciary and such a police system which truly acts as helpers for common people of the country.
Riches are growing richer and richer and it is they who enjoy the real fruits. Government will be called successful only when fruits of so-called economic liberalization, privatization, globalization and reformation reach in the hand of common man for whom politicians in general talk 24 hours and 365 days and more vehemently during election.
It is not out of place to mention here that not only DMK or TMC or NC, even Congress leaders are also not crazy for getting the Ministry of Rural Development , Social Welfare or Education or pollution control or Ministry of legal affairs or similar other unrenemerative ministries. Everyone is staking claim for cream post and cream ministries.
In banks too there is policy for rural posting of officers at least for two years in service tenure, but unfortunately this policy is misused for shunting honest officers or punishing those who are unable to earn through bribe and share with bosses. This is why flatterers are getting success in getting rid of rural postings and they easily manage to remain in metros and big towns for two three decades whereas on the contrary honest and simple officers are forced to work for two three decades in rural areas. Obviously in the name of rural development also there is exploitation as per whims and fancies of those who are sitting at the helm of affairs. There is no doubt that it is only for the name sake that everybody talk of rural development and social inclusion. The same thing happens in the government too. Everyone primarily assesses the scope of wealth creation, each probable minister thinks whether he or she can earn fund him or herself and simultaneously for the political party and high profile persons living in a particular ministry.
It is therefore an era of Manipulators and not Real Performers. Art of delivery of speeches is the Prime requisite for getting success and for acquiring status in the society. In all departments too, one who has the art of addressing a gathering of staff and customers can reach at the peak in his career path and those who perform and perform are sued to conceal the maladies of the corrupt but yes-man in the system.
Can anyone bring about change in attitude of officers, ministers and other persons sitting at important posts in the country?
Let God give wisdom to top leaders so that they stop talking of rural development and first try to bring about turnaround in the attitude of all who are more accountable to people of the country.
Let us hope for the best from the ruling party.
Danendra Jain 26 th May 2009
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