Most political parties all over the country have been cynically indulging in competitive populism with an eye on garnering votes in elections and coming to power.
They also resort to luring voters with money and liquor and appeal to their primordial loyalties based on caste and religion, region and language.
The situation in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is no different. Both, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti and the Telugu Desam, that have come to power in Telangana and AP respectively, not to mention the Congress and the YSR Congress that were trounced in both states, have been liberal in offering short-term sops.
The entire public and political discourse is apparently centred on these sops. In the end, it seems that the public got the same old politics even in the new states!
Take for instance the promise of both the TRS and the TD to waive farm loans. Agriculture has been in a crisis for a long time as is evident from hundreds of farmers ending their lives unable to repay their debts.
Instead of addressing the basic problems afflicting the sector, the ruling parties have offered to waive farmers’ loans.
They forget that the UPA government’s waiver of farm loans worth Rs 65,000 crore did not put an end to farmers’ suicides.
When resources are limited, governments have to use them with prudence and not squander them away on populist, short-term and unproductive schemes.
If those who have defaulted in repaying bank loans are extended loan waiver, it amounts to punishing those who have honestly repaid the loans. As the State Bank of India chairperson put it, farmers in future will not be eager to repay loans in anticipation of another loan waiver.
Have the political parties thought of the repercussions of a loan waiver on the banking system?
The governments in both state cannot fulfil the aspirations of people if they fritter away precious resources on unproductive schemes.
The Loksatta has all along argued that a government has to enable people to lead a life of dignity by standing on their own feet, and not by depending on crumbs thrown at them.
Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle
They also resort to luring voters with money and liquor and appeal to their primordial loyalties based on caste and religion, region and language.
The situation in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is no different. Both, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti and the Telugu Desam, that have come to power in Telangana and AP respectively, not to mention the Congress and the YSR Congress that were trounced in both states, have been liberal in offering short-term sops.
The entire public and political discourse is apparently centred on these sops. In the end, it seems that the public got the same old politics even in the new states!
Take for instance the promise of both the TRS and the TD to waive farm loans. Agriculture has been in a crisis for a long time as is evident from hundreds of farmers ending their lives unable to repay their debts.
Instead of addressing the basic problems afflicting the sector, the ruling parties have offered to waive farmers’ loans.
They forget that the UPA government’s waiver of farm loans worth Rs 65,000 crore did not put an end to farmers’ suicides.
When resources are limited, governments have to use them with prudence and not squander them away on populist, short-term and unproductive schemes.
If those who have defaulted in repaying bank loans are extended loan waiver, it amounts to punishing those who have honestly repaid the loans. As the State Bank of India chairperson put it, farmers in future will not be eager to repay loans in anticipation of another loan waiver.
Have the political parties thought of the repercussions of a loan waiver on the banking system?
The governments in both state cannot fulfil the aspirations of people if they fritter away precious resources on unproductive schemes.
The Loksatta has all along argued that a government has to enable people to lead a life of dignity by standing on their own feet, and not by depending on crumbs thrown at them.
Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle
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Your party has been advocating huge sops from central government to the Seemandhra state (special status, large packages etc.). This is the same as the freebies you criticize with only difference i.e. the intended "beneficiary" is your favorite state instead of an individual.
ReplyDeleteTruly said
Deletefor your kind information LOKSATTA moved to EC when TDP announced in AP ......... and u ignorant comparing 2 diff. issues OUT OF YOUR HATRED and u commentng loksatta for your SHEER FOOLISHNESS !! lol !!
Deleteby the way because of JP fight , farmers got 3600 crore benifit ALLOWING FARMERS TO SELL ANY PLACE (govt. brought new act in 2012) and YOUR FAVORITE T JAC/TRS obstruted it ..........
DeleteTRY TO BEHAVE AS INDIAN FIRST
Jai, your understanding is completely wrong. The sops that Loksatta asked from centre are required because the separate Andhra Pradesh state is going to have Revenue Deficit from Day-1 and doesn't have a major city. This is for upliftment of the state and these are not freebies.
ReplyDeleteLoan waiver to farmers is already given earlier and It could not change the fate of farmers. What farmers need is a well supported system to get better yieldings.. not to make them as beggars once every 5 years.
Farmers are also in deficit, The situation is exactly the same. In fact, state revenue deficit is because of their own mistakes unlike farmers who are suffering because of Govt. policies.
DeleteVizag is the 17th city in India ahead of Patna, Ranchi, Raipur, Trivendrum etc.
When was loan waiver given in the past?
Mr. ignorant and hater , waiver done by centre in 2009 and U DO NOT KNOW EVEN THIS ????????? AND YOU BLAMING LOKSATTA !! lol!!
ReplyDelete