Kitne (garib) aadami the? - bahot sarkar!

Do you know the latest absurd piece of information? The Centre Government & the long-lasting Planning Commission have proposed to constitute new decisive factors for 'officially being labeled - garib'.

Now anyone who earns 29 Rs. in the urban areas and 22 Rs./day in rural parts of India, is no garib!!

These figures are so meaningless. It is difficult believe that in today's age where every commodity is only appreciating and almost everything is on price-wise upward swing, the government thinks this is the ultimate criterion for declaring that there are less garib people now!

One thinks that, is it a ploy to 'decrease' the numbers for 'eligible' people for another ambitious project in the offing - food security scheme? Seems so, Planning Commission's Montek Singh Ahaluwalia evaded this question in the recent press conference, where there was 'a power play of statistics'. 

As per the new report, in rural parts of India, a five member family earned 2234 Rs./month in the year 2004-05 now it is 3364 Rs. In urban areas, the monthly income was 2894 Rs., now there is increase - Rs. 4298.

Top states where the reduction of poverty is more, are - Goa, Himachal Pradesh, MP, Maharashtra, Odisha, Pondicherry, Sikkim, Tamilnadu, Tripura and Uttarakhand. And disturbing reality is that 37.7% in UP and 53.5% of Bihar are still below poverty line.

 

So? So the Planning Commission claims that in Maharashtra, the poverty has reduced by 13.7%. And five years back India had 40.7 crores of garib people, now we have 35.5 crores of them!

  

Is this a relieving good news overall? I don't know. All I know is that it is being complicated, to live life normally on a day-to-day basis.

Postscript: There are rumors floating around that the cooking gas cylinder and petrol prices would increase shortly, now that Congress has lost in the latest State elections and now it can be declared. Never mind, there are escalating problems of coalition management!

Congress gloomy, BJP has nothing to celebrate either!

Isn't it horribly amusing? Till 5th of March 2012, Rahul Gandhi appeared so invincible. Waiting to exalt the victory, even declaring the end of 'eternal next-PM' fixation.

However, at the end of the day just before counting of votes of five state elections, there was usual rush of congress sycophants to shout 'blame-on-me-not-rahul-baba'. And on the results day, 6th of March, the picture was unambiguous.

BJP retained the power in Punjab, was just good in Uttarakhand, completely won Goa, preserved in UP.

Congress had to gratify, only with good show in Manipur. SP did exceedingly well in UP with Akhilesh Yadav as a clear winner.   

The results of this round of state elections, have fetched so many lessons for the grand old party Congress and BJP.

There are three most significant take-away reminders for Rahul Gandhi. First and foremost, it would be nice, if Congress learns from these results and does not indulge in identity-caste-minority appeasement.

The proposed reservation quota for Muslims and rotten mentality displayed by otherwise intelligent & sophisticated Salman Khurshid backfired. His wife garnered votes to finish fifth in her constituency.         

Second, grassroots organisation pays, not gimmickry. Tearing SP manifesto, stay at dalit homes, Bhatta Parsaul agitation, & Rs. 7,000 crore welfare package for weavers - nothing worked.

Third, Rahul Gandhi has failed in Bihar before, and this time poor show in UP, in spite of advise of great Digvijay Sigh. It would be better in the long term, if Gandhis do away with so many 'advisors'. Crux of the matter is, 215 rallies, padyatras, sympathy show-off for dalits by Rahul Gandhi, did not produce the anticipated results.

The shocking defeat in Rai Bareli-Amethi-Sultanpur region is certainly rude reality check and raises so many question marks on fading Congress charisma.

On the other hand, BJP should get its act together. The results are eye-opener for BJP. UP still remains elusive target, good performance this time notwithstanding.

North-east states like Manipur does not have sizable BJP presence. It would bode well for BJP, if the great aptitude of coalition management shown by Atalji is further exercised.

National parties need to introspect earnestly and learn the hard way. The rise and consolidation of regional parties is here to stay.

Drive carefully or pay more to Government coffers/ to police wallet!

The Central Government has proposed amendments in Motor Vehicle Act. These changes do have potential to infuse much needed discipline in the way we drive.

India is one of the largest growing markets of two-wheelers, cars, and vehicles in general. However there were no changes in the Act, reflecting the current conditions of ever increasing numbers of vehicles and the worse traffic.

Hence these amendments cleared by the Cabinet Ministers make all the more sense.

So what are the proposals on unveil?

If you are in rush and jump the red signal (sounds familiar!) you will have to pay penalty of Rs. 100 to 500. And if you venture to repeat, you will have to pay Rs. 300 to 1500.

If you happen to 'forget' to wear the seat-belt or helmet, you will be fined Rs. 500 for the first time and 1500 second time!   

And more importantly if you are two-three or whatever pegs down, and on assessment if alcohol content is in the range of 30-150 mg/ 100 mg of your blood, fine is Rs. 2000 to 5000 or six month's jail or both!

For the reckless second timers of drink-&-drive fine is Rs. 8000 to 10000 or four years imprisonment or both. There is a provision of cancelling the license altogether.  

With the rise in the mobile communication, if people drive a vehicle and talk/text on phone simultaneously, they would invite a fine of Rs. 500, second time offence has penalty of Rs. 2000 to 5000.

In our country, everyday there are almost 1500 accidents on our roads! Mishaps on the national highways constitute almost 30% of all.

These provisions to be tabled in the Budget session, are good and welcome step ahead, however their actual enforcement and implementation hold the key. Our track record of passing the law and their subsequent execution is abysmal.