Revadis can be distributed only subject to interruption in payment of other subsidies. Rather it will be said that these are implemented only at the expense of the schemes which strengthen the roots of the society and become the basis of human development.
If we can avoid getting worried about the internal political equations of BJP, then the importance of what Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said can be understood better. Gadkari has raised questions on the newly announced Girl Sister Scheme of his own party’s coalition government in Maharashtra. It is true that implementation of this scheme is possible only on the condition of reduction in other subsidies. Under this scheme, all economically weaker women will be given Rs 1,500 every month. 2.5 crore women will benefit from this. This will create a new annual burden of Rs 46 thousand crore on the state exchequer. After the defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the Eknath Shinde government made some new announcements, which will be called ‘Rewari’ in the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shinde has also announced to give three free gas cylinders every year to every economically weaker family, to give a bonus of Rs 5,000 per five hectare land to farmers, and to waive off their electricity bills. All this will put additional burden on the treasury.
Gadkari’s comment is noteworthy that implementation of such schemes is possible only on the condition of interruption in payment of other subsidies. Rather it will be said that these are implemented only at the expense of the schemes which strengthen the roots of the society and become the basis of human development. But in this neo-liberal era, the meaning of public welfare has become such schemes which have been announced with great enthusiasm, in which all the parties have joined. In plain and simple words it can be called ‘vote buying race’. Opposing this trend is considered to be speaking against the current, which politicians are unable to show the courage to do. Election activities have started in Maharashtra and amidst this, Gadkari’s display of courage is praiseworthy. Although such things will not stop this trend, still telling the truth to people has its own importance. It must be said that the money being distributed is at the cost of the long-term development of the society.