DailyPost 2974
CAN ROADS BE A GUARANTEE?
We can expect anything out of our politicians, nothing is weird or absurd for them. To latch on to any successful project / action, ensuring them votes is the magic wand they are always looking for. They abused the usage of the concept of zero-tolerance to a level that it has completely lost its value and has gone out of circulation. The term, word, promise or funda is vogue is what termed it guarantee. Different political parties call it differently; catchy names for what is given free, and the recipients. Now the beneficiaries are generally known by its Hindi variant.
Social and economic empowerment to freebies has been viewed and talked of differently, sometimes in the same breath as well. What is common to all the political parties is that they turned it to be an easy way to power. The battle for freebies is thus on, the governmental dispensation would be handed to the most appealing Santa Claus. Freebies have been our democratic fate since decades, few and far between, nonetheless being consistently there. People got accustomed to it, subsidised ration and all that, and that was no more satisfying. It had become the norm. A new way of cajoling the voter had to be worked out. Aam Aadmi Party created this model and gained handsomely over the years.
Moolah became the new mantra and with guaranteed rations, electricity, travel and what not. Direct Benefit Transfer has become the new democracy. Effortless, seamless and electorally very powerful,digital too. The common language of the leaders, political parties and the large chunk of the voting class. Then who will ensure us roads? Can any political dispensation from the gram panchayat level to national level, can construct and maintain best quality roads within the funds allotted? For sure all of us are clear of the fact that money is not the issue. Either we construct the high flying state of art well publicised roads or nothing? The cost of construction, quality and delays we can leave it some other day. It seems we need to go to the powers that be to explain as to how good or reasonable roads benefit urban centres and the rural countryside?
In Bangalore we focus on the detrimental impact the current state of roads have on the residents, the discussion is on accidents, accentuating medical issues, loss of productive time, road rage and what not? All the decision makers use the same roads, how they feel differently is a matter of psychological research. Why the basic parameters of civil engineering inclusive of drainage, town planning and rampant irregularities are turned a blind eye to. The funds are spent for each of these elements. If Bangalore, India’s showcase and a global city can get drowned, then what about other places? One solid downpour and the country’s flagship cities are back to the medieval ages. Ditto for quality of education and quality healthcare.
WHAT THE POLITICIAN GUARANTEES EFFORTLESSLY IS ONLY WHAT WE DESERVE IS THE PREVAILING LESSON OF THE INDIAN DEMOCRACY.
Sanjay Sahay
Have a nice evening.