KARNATAKA CONGRESS'S GUARANTEES AND GROANING OF COMMON MAN - BY VISMAHI

 

Poll promises in Karnataka by Congress party in the name of 'Guarantees' and unprecedented victory over the most popular party, BJP based on Guarantees in assembly election is new to Karnataka. A question arises on the larger interest of the country and the state, that these freebies complimenting the growth or just poll gimmicks by putting the economy in danger? The question is larger and I am not going to dig in to that, let’s look at the confusions and common man's groaning because of the poll promise of free electricity alone and its implementation.

 The five Promises are:

1. 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti)
2. Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi)
3. 10 kilograms of rice free to every member of a below poverty line (BPL) household (Anna Bhagya)
4. Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders aged 18-25 for two years (YuvaNidhi)
5. Free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti)

Conditions on Guarantees and Confusions:

 All these poll promises made before the election without any pre-conditions. However, recently several conditions and procedures are laid down in order to avail the benefit. The confusion arose over the conditions by the government. As per the news reports the below calculation and charges will be claimed in the month of June-2023.

 “A tariff order, which was passed on May 12, stated that the approved 70 paise per unit hike had to be claimed in June. Along with this, arrears of 70 paise for April will also be added to the bill for June. Hence, there will be a tariff increase of ₹2.89 per unit this month”

 “Due to many technical reasons, the FPPCA could not be recovered in March and the rules had provided the power to do the same. It cannot be deferred anymore now as the rules do not allow. Hence it will be collected,” said Ravikumar P., chairman, Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC)” - From thehindu.Com (04^th June, 2023)

 The confusion No.1, increase in Cost of Living:

 June month electricity bill is not yet generated and already 100 to 500 or more arrears are reflecting in the bill for the  month of April and May. Some of the households got the electricity bill for the month of June, there is increase of electricity bill almost 100% compared to last month bill. One of my neighbors got the electricity bill of Rs.1700 against the last month and previous month bills of Rs. 700. It is a shocking adjustment to pave way for the 'Griha Jyothi' 200 free unit scheme. The increase may have ripple effect on all services, goods and several end-products. The living cost is suddenly increased to almost double without giving a time to adjust or cope-up. A poor guy may get 200 units free electricity, however for other services and goods he will land up in paying more than he is saving.  The consumer goods, other household and food items which production is dependent on electricity will be hit by the tariff change. The cost of all these goods will obviously increase. How the government will manage this challenge is a big question.

 The confusion No.2, Increase in cost of paying Guest (PG)/Hotels/Lodges:

 In Bangalore most of the students, Single Women/Men reside in PG accommodation. The services in PG managed on electricity. For example the facilities like Water heater, washing machine, cooking food, ironing, etc. Due to increase in electricity tariff the cost of PG accommodation may increase and it could be a burden on these category people who are mostly dependent on PG. It is also an unavoidable business decision for these owners and it may affect their ROI. It applies to even hotels and lodges, the tariff of food and accommodation may increase.

 The confusion No.3, Leisure and Entertainment will be dearer :

 Today's generation, it may be poor or rich the people prefer to shop in malls. After the electricity bill tariff the dazzling malls, movie halls may face lesser crowd as the tariff change in electricity bills may reflect in the products and service they offer. It will not be a surprise if people stay away from shopping and malls which may affect Karnataka economy adversely.

 The confusion No.4, transportation and electric vehicles :

 Already there is a displeasure in the taxi and auto drivers; because of free bus for women they are now facing 50 to 60 percent decrease in their income. Because of increase in electricity tariff EV vehicle owners are in dilemma as the charging cost may increase enormously. Karnataka freebies and increase in electricity tariff may not complement to India's commitment to decrease carbon footprint. The freebies should be provided to the citizens, no doubt about it. However, on what cost? People pay taxes from their own earning which adds up to 40 to 50 percent including GST, Road tax, entertainment tax, service tax, innumerable taxes, it is inevitable even if one comes under income tax radar or not.

 Freebies should be provided with substantial, self sustained plans rather than burdening the taxpaying common man. At the end of the day government considers the taxpaying crowd as well-off and don't consider or include them in state sponsored schemes. The people who pay tax promptly feel left out, neither here nor there.

 The confusion No.5 : How about metro trains which run on electricity?

 People are worried even the metro trains in Bengaluru run on electricity, because of increased tariff the metro ride may also be dearer. The freebies of the government should not be a burden on the people while implementing them. In one hand it looks helpful and in another it is a burden.

 What can be done:

 The governments must facilitate people who are contributing to revenue, economy and growth of the state with some basic facilities. The faculties in any form should be self sustainable and not a burden on state's exchequer.

 Free Electricity:

When it comes to providing free electricity, the government can freely or in a subsidized form provide wind or solar power generation installations to households. It helps people reduce their burden of electricity bill as well as contributing to green energy. No need to increase power tariff and saving lot of power which can be used for other bigger projects like Metro trains.

 Free Food or Food items:

If government wants to provide free food, there are many ways to provide food instead of providing free ration. Free ration may reach them or may not. Or it can be used in a different way than utilizing for the family.

 - Use Akshaya Patra or any other NGO area wise, provide minimum fund support as these are NGOs already working for social cause. Can provide food to lakhs of people and it can continue the work no matter what party is in power. 

Lets hope these freebies may help the people of Karnataka and not a burden on our pockets.

 By

Vismahi- Vijay G

SEEKING THE CONTENTMENT IS SONG OF SOUL- BY VISMAHI

Contentment or feeling fulfilled is soothing song of soul, sense of working on a greater puprpose. It is beyond happiness, peace and beyond sense of achievement. It is the language of soul, here the tranquility felt at bottom of the heart, it cannot be easily described by words. One might feel contented in various kind of gestures, such as donating, guiding others, child's achievement, helping others, etc. As mentioned above Contentment is the language of soul, it makes the soul happy and brings the peace within. It is humane, it can be felt through heart by human beings only. The beautiful harmony between human body, mind and heart is a sole provilege of mankind and the perfect example of this is, some time an act may be physical but the soul is satisfied and heart rests at peace is a great feeling of happiness within. For an instance saving a person from suspected cardiac arrest by giving CPR and feeling happy about it is nothing but Contentment. Though the act is physical but your heart is involved in it and the soul is satisfied. It has no discrimination between good or bad within a human being. A criminal may find happiness in looting a bank, a monk may find happiness in his efforts of realization of truth and achieving salvation. However a criminal's happiness is not Contentment, it is as good as explaining the difference between love and lust. 

 Human beings forgotten the language of soul, gripped in greed, treachery and selfishness. Unless a human being finds contentment he will never find true value of life, which eventually leads to the greatest purpose of one's life. Unless a man finds Contentment in his life he is never considered any better than an animal which does basic minimum acts like eat, produce off springs and die. Greatest purpose of human life is to find an answer of this birth and give a meaning to it. However, contentment is just a small part at the beginning of realisation of the bigger purpose. A human being feels contentment in different ways in various stages of life through sacrifice, kindness, empathy, etc. 

 Contentment for a Mother:  

A woman's motherhood is an amazing journey, giving birth to a new life is an overwhelming joy for her. A mother is synonym for sacrifice, strength, support, creator, etc. She finds it fulfilled or contented by sacrificing lot many things for her child, which is the basic nature of motherhood be it in animal world or human world. A mother feels the contentment when the child is healthy, grows with all physical and mental abilities timely. A mother always finds contentment in the happiness of her child. It is a selfless happiness and feels contented in the child's happiness.  

Contentment for a father:  

A father is a first hero for a child. A father is a first male friend, a hero, a go-getter, etc. His farsightedness, behavior, values, courage, etc., are put-in in bringing-up a child. Investing his heart and soul in upbringing his offspring is happiness within him and satisfaction of the great work he is doing fr the child is the early stage of contentment. The contentment he finds by putting efforts in up-bringing his child in a right way is a step towards contentment. However, the ultimate contentment a father may find when all his efforts, his values and up-bringing bear fruit, the child grows to be a better human being and successful in life. A father finds contentment at different stages of life differently. Ultimate contentment of a father is to see the offspring grow to be a great human being and successful in life.  

 A Guru's contentment:  

After father and mother the guru or teacher has the highest responsibility of shaping the personality or life of future generation. In India we have the highest regard for Guru,  

गुरुर ब्रह्मा गुरुर विष्णु गुरुर देवो महेश्वरः 

गुरुः साक्षात्परब्रह्मा 

 तस्मै श्री गुरुवे नमः 

in Hinduism we consider guru as none other than the almighty god Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. The respect and regard for a teach is so overwhelming, that we named the largest planet in our solar system named after the teacher or Guru thousands of years ago before the modern world could know the planet's size (size of Jupiter was estimated recently by Cassini in 1672 ). This is the example of highest regard we hold for Guru in Hindu culture and our anscestors knew the value of a Guru in one's life. Similarly the expectation on Guru is also highest. A successful society & a nation needs able, healthy and efficient people. To continue to progress we need able future generation, a Guru plays a vital role in shaping up the personality of future generation. A guru finds contentment when his disciples acquire good qualities like moral values, wisdom and health. Guru selflessly offers all his knowledge to his disciples just to see them grow and be successful. A guru can only find contentment when his disciple grown in to a good human being with wisdom. 

A human being is complete only when finds contentment in his responsibilities, in happiness, achievements, etc., else the life will be a monotonous and mundane living cycle and die one day. How Mahatma Gandhi found contentment in truth & non violence and became example to the mankind is an example to us. Vir Savarkar is an example of tolerance of the atrocity of British and felt contented in fighting for the country by sacrificing his own life. Lakhs together people sacrificed their life to the country, they found contentment in fighting for us and laid down their life. This is the purpose of human life; serve for the greater purpose and find true contentment, rather than indulging in lustful pleasures. 

In different stages of human life one can find contentment in many different aspects and stages of life. Be a good friend by being side-by for all the good causes and find contentment in true friendship which is far from and beyond lustful selfishness. Be a good businessman, serve people with honesty and make profit without cheating the people. Be a good neighbor, help each-other and live amicably. Be a good doctor and serve people with humanity rather than treating the patients for money. Yes, in any acts of life one should find contentment with honesty and good cause that's the greater purpose of human life. 

VISMAHI- Vijay G