What a waste!

I had taken a vow not to criticize the Manmohan Singh Government any more. Not because I have changed my mind, but as they are incorrigible.

But I must today. I read a news item that the Government is planning to implement the Sixth Pay Commission Report during the next couple of days. It is bad enough that our Sarkari baboos who fleece the common man and are a rule to themselves don't deserve this pay hike without any commitment as to reduction in corruption or increased productivity. This announcement now is a soap given to the so called government servants to vote for UPA Government in the upcoming General Elections. The ultimate bribe. Let that be. My worry is on another point. Inflation has crossed 12% and the PMs economic advisory panel has indicated that it is likely to touch 13%. Government's only policy in fighting inflation has been to raise the interest rates, which in effect means squeezing the liquidiy in the market. Less money chasing same amount of goods is likely to bring the prices down. That is the philosophy. As a result of this, we all have to pay higher interest on home loans, industrialists and businessmen's cost of capital has gone up, forcing them to put on hold growth plans. In short, everyone is tightening his belt to save the economy. Then , why oh why do you want to inject more money into the market by way of implementation of Pay commission with retrospective effect. The higher purchasing power and the surplus money created by the two years arrear payments will result in a huge inflow of money into the market, fuelling inflation. And all this for no apparent benefit.

When P Chidambaram took over as Finance Minister, he had promised considerable action on reducing government expenditure. But his government has been the worst spent thrift in the 61 years history of independant India. All so called Social Welfare Schemes has been disasters. PC has to pamper Sonia Gandhi by ear marking funds for NREGS and the Farm loan waiver scheme. And, then had to bow to Rahul Gandhi's wishes of extending NREGS (which is an unqualified disaster) to more districts. Congress Government has always used the social spending schemes when they are in power using the excuse of helping the poor. The poor hardly gets any benefit. 85% of the money goes to line the pockets of politicians and other middle men. What a waste!

People pay tax so that they get certain basic infrastructure and protection from the Government. Governance is in shambles. Police and Judiciary hardly functions. There are bomb blasts everywhere. No one is safe. Roads have pot holes. There is power cut even during monsoon. Pure drinking water is not available to most. Ditto with unadulterated food. Then why pay tax? Why should honest citizens be penalized to support dishonest, unproductive people? When will people stand up and be counted?