Thursday, February 5, 2015

Nothing is free AAP - Delhi Elections 2015

As curtains close on the campaign in Delhi, BJP seemed to follow the famous Lucknow TAHZEEB (the courtesy reputedly shown by the people from Lucknow, the capital of UP). JAISE LUCKNOW KI DO NAWABON KI GADI PEHLE AAP, PEHLE AAP KARTE HAI. As the vehicles of two royalties from Lucknow make way for the other saying PEHE AAP (first you), similarly if the opinion polls are to be believed BJP who was ahead in the beginning, seems to have halted with PAHLE AAP for AAP. It has been literally free for all in this election season in Delhi, with AAP promising free water and electricity. Ironically a party with a difference is now promising the moon to get into power. They should understand that there is nothing called free lunch, some one always pays for it. AAP KE LIYE JO MUFT HAI, WOH SACHMUCH MUFT NAHI, meaning what's free for you (AAP in Hindi), is not really free at all.
 
Doling out freebies might be a good vote catcher but bad economics. Now it's high time to go beyond seeing government as MAI-BAAP KA SARKAR, meaning some one who can take care of you from cradle to grave, like nurturing parents. Not so long ago I made a trip to my ancestral village. Met a few elderly folks after a long hiatus. When I queried them about their kids, some answered "PUA AMARA BA/MA PADHILA, KINTU SARKAR CHAKIRI DELENI. PEON CHAKIRI HELE DEITHANTA". It means "our son got BA / MA degree but the government did not give him any job, wish at least it gave him a peon's position."
 
The role of the government is to facilitate in providing the right environment for job creation, not to hand out jobs like LADDOOs to kids on the morning of Republic day. The bulk of the job needs to come from the private sector. Too many government jobs beyond the bare minimum would not only create unnecessary bureaucracy and breed corruption, it will throttle growth and efficiency. Tell me a nation which is successful due to its Public sector and the freebies doled to citizens.

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