Came across this picture today and felt, ” How true, आजकल सब बिकता है!”

What I feel or think isn’t anywhere different from what you may already know or someone might have already said. As soon as elections are announced, all political parties and politicians come out of their hibernating caves looking for people ready to sell votes for a cricket kit, for a full meal, for a bottle of whisky, for a few hundred rupees…etc. etc. Quite frankly in a country of humongous population it isn’t difficult for these hunters to shoot down their prey; sometimes the prey may be actually waiting for them because they also know that at least this one time in 5 years their representative will come back to see them. This song aptly describes what happens during elections. Enjoy at the press of play button:

Uttarakhand might have completed 11 years of existence but if we go out to look for signs of development we shall need a magnifying glass to see them!

With elections just around the corner and all political parties wanting majortity of seats; they are trying every bit to hit the bull’s eye with their election manifestos. Here’s a look at what the major political parties are promising us in elections this time:

Bhartiya Janta Party:

According to BJP; the present BJP government has fulfilled all the 206 announcements it made in the 2007 manifesto!! (can someone please cross-check!) and promises the following for 2012 elections:

1. The BJP in Uttarakhand promised to create 10 lakh jobs in both government and private sectors in the next five years

2.  After the lokayukta bill, the BJP said it would bring a whistle-blower act to give security to all those who come forward to expose corruption in the state. This is in continuance to various steps its government had already taken against graft — such as citizen charters, transparent transfer policy and setting up of an anti-corruption department.

3. Providing agriculture loans at 2 per cent interest rate to farmers against the current interest rate of 5 per cent is another promise. A separate farmers’ commission will be set up to resolve the problems of farm sector.

4. The manifesto also promised to create 11 new industrial hubs for further industrialisation process and attract investments worth Rs 50,000 crore for various projects on PPP mode.

5.  The manifesto said its next government would increase the per capita income to Rs one lakh from the existing Rs 64,000. Similarly, efforts would be made to bring the growth rate at 10-12 per cent from the current 9 per cent in the state.

6. The manifesto also pledged to pass a Chardham development act for the overall development of the four shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath.

7. The party promised to construct new medical colleges at Almora, Rudrapur and Dehradun, and set up new engineering colleges, ITIs and polytechnic colleges in other areas.

8. There will also be a provision for 10 per cent horizontal reservation for the children of ex-servicemen in technical and industrial training institutes.

9. For minorities, it promised to set up a Muslim education board for the welfare of the community.

10. For artisans, a special shilpi credit card would be launched on the lines of kisan credit cards.

Last week Congress promised the following to attract voters to it’s party:

1. Congress promised to introduce an ‘unemployment allowance’ — ranging from Rs 750 to Rs 1500 a month — to registered unemployed educated youth. According to the party, the unemployment allowance will benefit about five lakh youth in the state. Apparently, science graduates and post-graduates would get 50 per cent more allowance than general graduates.

2. To arrest large scale emigration from the hills, Congress has promised to assist the farmer by taking steps to make farm produce more profitable through organic cultivation. It has promised to bring about a system of certification of organic produce for organic fruits and vegetables. Congress has also promised to develop a seed processing zone in the fertile Terai Belt and  and agriculture would be promoted on the lines of Punjab and Haryana.

3. Congress, while proposing to promote eco-tourism, will also ensure balanced development for the state.

4. Congress has also promised to develop the existing airport at Dehradun into an international airport.

5. Congress, in its election manifesto promised adequate power supply to farmers. It promised to complete all pending power projects within three years.

6.  Also promised were, interest-free education loans, medical and accidental insurance for all, road and power connectivity to all villages and incentives to employees like teachers and doctors posted in remote areas.

7. Congress promises to end contractual employment and fill up vacancies in government departments and educational institutions. A separate department for minorities would be established.

8. The manifesto promises elevated roads and subways in all major towns like Dehra Dun and Haldwani. (Why towns only; why can’t we have good roads to all villages??)

9. It assures a Garhwal Bench of the Naini Tal High Court, and an end to VAT on petrol and diesel to bring down prices of essential commodities.

10. Special schemes for the uplift of women, tribals and minorities would be introduced.

CPI (ML)

1. The party pledged to strive towards making Gairsain the permanent capital of the state and get the guilty in the Khatima, Muzaffarpur and Mussourie incidents during the statehood agitation punished. The party also promised to take on touts, contractors, NGOs and the land mafia that are ruling the roost in the Uttarakhand political scene.

2. It pledged to oppose the anti-people economic policies and communalism and said it was committed to act as a responsible Opposition. (Already sure of not coming to power!!)

3. It also announced that it was committed to the enactment of a powerful Jan Lokpal Act at the national level and an effective Lokayukta Act in the state.

4. It promised to take up the cause of anganwadi workers, Bhojan Matas, ASHA health workers, Gram Praharis, who were at present being treated as bonded labour by the government. The CPI(ML) promised to fight for the regularisation of their services and the payment of minimum wages to them.

5. The CPI(ML) expressed its commitment towards the distribution of at least 10 kg of foodgrains per unit under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and called for the grant of at least 200 days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the payment of Rs 200 as daily wage under the scheme. (As much as we know; no one wishes to work for this scheme which currently pays Rs 120 per day for 90 days! thanks to 20 kg food grains available for Rs. 100; people getting Rs 400 from government per month don’t need to work..sigh!)

Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha (URM)

1. According to URM: The present Lokayut Act is meant to give patronage to corruption; so we will enact a stronger version of it. (What’s weak that will  be strengthened? we should know that too!)

2. The capital of the state would be established in Gairsain. (why would ..why not WILL!)

3. A separate policy with regard to natural resources, water, jungle, land and agriculture, would be devised as it has become imminent in view of the fact that 32 lakh natives of the state had moved out and 40 lakh outsiders have settled down here. The way the outsiders are holding control over the land and other resources, the people of the state would have to struggle for their rights on their own resources one day.

4.  The resources for employment in fields such as agriculture, industry, tourism and hydro-power projects would be developed to provide job avenues to the youth.

5. The party advocates for strengthening the Panchayati Raj by establishing Panchayati Raj Act and giving extensive rights to panchayat at various levels.

6. According to the maifesto, various welfare schemes would be started for ex-servicemen, where they would be provided employment. Those awarded by the Prime Minister and President for bravery would be given one time annual honorarium. The parameters in government jobs would also be relaxed for them.

7. The issue of caste/domicile certificates would be simplified.

8. The issue related to division of properties with Uttar Pardesh would also be sorted out.

I miss the “Will” in this manifesto! They are full of woulds?? An act should be made to punish who win elections and do not fulfill their promises; they are cheating the nation & should not be pardoned.

Well lots of promises and loads of claims; with every party pin pointing others’ mistakes and flaws it’s truly our responsibility that we think, think and think before casting our precious vote. Think if not for self for our next generations.What is it that we want to give them?

DO we want to make them useless & hopeless by getting “unemployment  allowance” or cheap food grains OR do we want to make them capable of earning a respectful living for themselves.

DO we want them to keep struggling for what they deserve but will not get because of various reservations OR do we want them to have a state where opportunities are not blocked by caste & creed.

DO we want them to live a life where they have to bribe one or the other at every step to get the smallest of tasks done OR do we want them to learn, practice & preach what we learnt as students ” HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY”…

All I’m trying to say is, take whatever you get at this time : food, clothing, money bla bla…however, when you got to vote “VOTE ONLY FOR YOUR FUTURE..OUR FUTURE!”  in simple words “नोट जिस से भी लें..पर वोट सबसे सही को ही दें! !”

Bedupako@