The Governments, both at Centre and State levels, have got its priorities absolutely wrong.
The politicians and law makers assume that giving one time doles like TV, Grinder, Mixie, Laptop, Sarees during festival is the way to root out poverty, and win votes. They think the poor wants nothing but this.
They are sadly mistaken.
What the poor wants is not rotten rice which is sold at Re 1 per Kg. They buy it from the PDS, but promptly resell it to the street side hoteliers, who make iddly and dosa in a push cart. The poor go out and buy rice at market prices for their consumption, as the rice given at Re 1 per Kg stinks, and infested with worms.
What the poor wants is to live with dignity. They dont want to be told that they are being given a charity and are living on doles. They want reasonable quality goods made available at affordable prices.
They want their paper works to be done without hassles at the panchayat office level.
They want the Courts to give them speedy justice, as they cant afford a lengthy legal process. They would appreciate the State giving them good legal aid at reasonable prices, so that they are not fleeced by the lawyers, who make deals with the counter party behind the back.
They want to be able to go to the Police Station without fear and register a complaint. And they want the confidence that action will be taken against the offender, whoever he might be.
They want their children to get good, decent, simple education at Government Schools. They want these schools to have basic infrastructure, adequate teachers and books at subsidised rates.
They want reasonably affordable medical care at their door steps - in the primary health centres and district hospitals.
They want clean water, sanitation, drainage, electricity, and good roads (even if they are not black top).
They want micro financing to help them tide over their financial requirements
They want a workable small savings scheme, and someone to guide them as to how to make their money work.
They want a shelter with basic amenities.
They aren't asking for much.
They aren't asking for much.
Is it not a shame that, 64 years after attaining independence, they are still waiting for these things, which should have been made available to them decades ago? Their plight is worse off than what it was all those decades ago.
But I am afraid someone from Government will read this, and then pass a Right to Live with Dignity Bill in the Parliament - as if passing a bill will solve everything.
But I am afraid someone from Government will read this, and then pass a Right to Live with Dignity Bill in the Parliament - as if passing a bill will solve everything.
