For a decent living, a person needs a house [reasonable size], a power connection, supply of clean fuel, access to food at affordable price, medical facilities and basic education. A person who has a good source of income on a sustainable basis is well equipped to make arrangement for all these basics.
But, what about those who are not so blessed? Indeed, an overwhelming proportion of our population belong to this category and they are the ones who look to the government for providing help in arranging for these.
Prime Minister, N Modi has often said that unlike the previous dispensations who promised these things in bits and pieces – that too keeping an eye on elections – and failed to deliver, his government is working relentlessly to give all of them more or less simultaneously as a wholesome package. Undoubtedly, he has put in marathon efforts to provide these basic facilities to the maximum possible number of disadvantaged/poor persons.
Under the PM Awas Yojna [PMAY], in the last 4 years or so, the government has built 12.5 million homes. By 2022 [the 75th year of independence], it aims at providing home to every family.
Under the PAHAL [Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh] scheme for direct benefit transfer [DBT] of LPG subsidy, launched in January 2015, the government has already provided free connection to 30 million poor families. An additional 20 million poor families will be provided connection by next year.
Under the PM ‘Saubhagya’ [Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana] launched in September 2017, the government is giving electricity connection [albeit free] to 40 million households. This task is slated to be completed by March 31, 2019.
Under Nation Food Security Act [NFSA], the government provides food to 67% of India’s population [75% rural & 50% urban] or over 800 million persons at heavily subsidized price viz. Rs 3/2/1/- per kg for rice/wheat/coarse cereals. The Act came into force on July 5, 2013 covering only 11 States. Under Modi, the coverage was extended to entire country by November, 2016.
Under PM Jan Arogya Yojna [PMJAY] – launched on September 25, 2018, the government is providing health insurance cover of up to Rs 500,000/- to 100 million poor and vulnerable families. Taking an average family size of 5 persons, the benefits are expected to reach 500 million individuals.
These are commendable steps and should give tremendous satisfaction and relief to all those who got these after decades of wait. But, the big question remains.
Will these basics suffice to ensure a decent living? Is having a house good enough? Will a gas and electricity connection do? Does access to staple food alone ensure a healthy diet? Does health cover [paid for by the state] address all of poor’s medical needs? The answer to all these questions is a clear no.
For a decent living, even as many more things such as clothing, education, transport etc are needed, even in the mentioned areas where the government is providing support, there are recurring expenses which can’t be ignored. For instance, a house requires regular maintenance.
As regards, gas and electricity, even with subsidy which reduces their price/tariff to make these affordable, given the scale of poverty and measly income of the households, one wonders whether they would be able to pay. The recent increase in the price of even subsidized cylinders [courtesy, increase in international price of crude oil], is already raising concerns.
Under NFSA, a person is entitled to get only 5 kg per month at a heavily subsidized rate. But, this barely covers 50% of the requirement [10 kg per month estimated by NSSO (National Sample Survey Organization)]. For the balance, he has to pay much higher market price. Then, he needs pulses – essential for proper nourishment – which is not supplied under NFSA.
In regard to health care, while PMJAY may cover sizeable expenses in the event of a major disease or accident requiring hospitalization, it is unlikely that the family would be able to get rid of out-of-pocket expenses to meet day-to-day needs.
The message is loud and clear. Unless a person has a regular source of income, any amount of state support won’t be of much help though it may mitigate the hardship to some extent. On the other hand, if majority of the people are gainfully employed thereby ensuring a sustainable income source then, they may not even need subsidies/financial help from the state.
Modi is not unaware of this vital aspect. That is why his prime focus is on empowerment by creating jobs and increasing income of the poor. His deliverable in this regard do not satisfy the critics. But, the big point they are missing is that unlike subsidy which can be given immediately, it takes time to create jobs.
A lot of ground work needs to be done by building infrastructure viz. roads, highways, rails, ports, airport etc, putting in place right policies, project approvals – braving multitude of hurdles such as land acquisition, environment etc and above all legal challenges. Skilling and making millions of youth suitable for jobs in industries and businesses is another big challenge.
In all these areas, Team Modi has moved forward at a speed never seen before and that too with the very bureaucrats and institutions who were attuned to a slow decision making process under previous dispensations [even policy paralysis during UPA – II]. While, these gigantic efforts are creating jobs, the real impact by way of big surge will be seen only from 2020 onward. Then, the government could think of withdrawing the sops.
Till then, the people need show patience and not overturn the present regime as the alternative [most likely a coalition of ‘opportunistic’ parties] will be ‘unstable’ causing a major set-back to all the development work.
The empowerment of the poor will become a far cry even as the regime change will mark the return of days when they were totally dependent on state crutches – that too at the whims of the ruling establishment.
Hopefully, in 2019, people will ensure that such a horrendous scenario is kept at bay.