Walking the Talk!

Walking the Talk!

Tags: Money Salary Funds Fringe Freebies Subsidies Incomes Expenses Debts Bank Taxes Budget Finance Political Bureaucratic Parliamentarians Government Minister Arun Jaitley Leaders Public Servants India Welfare Poor Farmer Healthcare Vote Life Humility Philosophy Wisdom Society Skills Story Harvest Children

One of the key events in India during last few days was the national budget for 2018. It was presented by the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on 1 February 2018. The budget apparently was farmer focussed. Further, there were huge welfare schemes proposed for the poor. One of them was the healthcare plan meant only for the poor. Prior to this, there were several other schemes as well for the poor. While we do not begrudge the poor and facilities provided for them, one genuinely wonders whether they truly get the final benefits meant for them. If there is one thing that India's political and bureaucratic system has taught all of us, it is that things never work the way they are laid out on paper. Most often, the poor are only a vote bank meant for politicking and they usually don't get the benefits. The money taken out for the poor from taxes primarily on the middle class typically disappears. Neither do the poor see it working wonders for them nor do the middle class see it translating in to a better India.

The budget's principle apparently seems to be leave no one and nothing out of the tax net. Tax everyone and everything. Never mind that the middle class may not be well off and quite a few of them may be just managing to stay afloat. Despite that, we are not averse to taxes as long as they serve the true purposes of the welfare state but that is a mirage that disappears when you think you are close to it. Further, if the Finance Minister and his team feel that everyone and everything should be appropriately taxed and it would be unfair otherwise, then that poses a troubling question. Why are our Parliamentarians left out? From what we understand, their salary is completely tax free. Their expenses are all paid from Government Funds. They are given all kinds of fringe benefits, freebies and subsidies. Google benefits that our Parliamentarians get and you will understand where we are coming from!

Should not our leaders not walk the talk and forego all these benefits plus allow their incomes to be taxed? How can you preach about everyone needing to pay tax when you do not? Unfortunately, that is the sad story of our political system. In recent times, we are also seeing arrogance creeping in the Government Ministers, their colleagues in the party and bureaucrats. Their pretensions are extremely disturbing. Never mind which political party is ruling the roost, it is still the same attitude. We are exempt since we are the political class. We are the high and mighty. We are immune. The worst part is that they call themselves public servants but there is not even an iota of humility, responsibility and accountability in their behaviour. Things are progressing to such a point that it is appearing that their greed and arrogance is taking over. This is what transpired earlier during their previous stint in the Government and now seems to be recurring again.

Mind you, we are not biased towards any particular political party - all of them are the same but the current outfit got elected on making several things better and humility and understanding of the common man's plight. However, they seem to be walking the opposite path. Even worse, we have to remember that the common man does not translate to only poor man. It includes everyone who is part of society and trying hard to support their families and give them an appropriate living. Strangely, that does not seem to be sinking in the Government's mind. Look at how they seem to have antagonised every section of society. They are now espousing the cause of farmers and poor but we know that is mostly politicking for upcoming elections. As tax payers, we have a right to ask these questions.

Practical Wisdom!

One more point - and this is a general question to all of us. It might polarise some of us but we ask this genuinely and not with any malafide intent. When we see life is difficult since income is insufficient or there is not much of a future or we are poor or our farms are not reaping good harvest consistently or we are in huge debts and many other such valid reasons, then why do we see the need to have children? When we know that our lives are difficult, must we need to propagate and give the offspring an equally bad or worse lives? Is this correct? Is this a rational thing to do? If not, then why do we do this? Just because of evolutionary need to procreate or because we did not take precautions or we are unable to go against societal norms? If we must, then can't we limit the number of offspring per family to just 1 and put all our resources to good use for that single child to make its life far better than having multiple offspring and not giving a good life to any? If we can not do that, then how are we better than animals with just evolutionary instincts alone and no practical intellect that we pride ourselves with? If we can not accumulate enough wisdom, then how do we expect our leaders to be wise for us?

Whatever it is, these are random thoughts for everyone to mull over! Lives are short and they should be full of meaning - not just routine or automatic! No one gets hurt if we practice some philosophy and wisdom? Society definitely could do with some advanced social skills and wisdom. We seem to be regressing more and more in that area while advancing by leaps and bounds in science. Perhaps, that is why there are so many conflicts and hardships in this world!

And oh yes! The Government needs to practice some humility, wisdom and importantly, practice instead of just preaching... walk the talk, if you will, rather than just expect to fleece people like Shylock for their pound of flesh without the political class contributing anyway to nation building!

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