The past few years have seen an unprecedented rise in electoral politics involving freebies and financial aid. From Delhi to Karnataka, from Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra, from Himachal Pradesh to Jharkhand, freebies are helping political parties win the polls. Be it free electricity or buses, or monthly financial aid to women or students, political parties have launched one scheme after another to attract voters.
However, the burden of these programs falls on the Treasury, and not all states are ready to shoulder such a huge additional financial burden. Congress-ruled states like Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh are facing a financial crunch and are therefore looking for one or another way to generate revenue that will put a dent in the pockets of the common man.
Himachal Pradesh has decided to abolish free public toilets for men, while Karnataka has decided to increase half-length fees by 15%. Interestingly, as the Congress government has promised free bus travel for women in Karnataka, men will have to pay more to travel in buses.
Just a day ago, the Shimla Municipal Corporation decided to impose a Rs 5 fee on men using public toilets. The decision comes at a time when the state is struggling to meet its expenses due to welfare schemes including freebies. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Suhu himself has given up free electricity and urged wealthy households to follow suit to reduce the financial burden on the state.
Now, the Congress-ruled Karnataka government has decided to increase bus fares of state-run transport companies by 15%. Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said the decision was taken in view of the significant rise in operating costs such as increase in fuel prices and employee expenses. The move is expected to generate revenue of Rs 748.5 million per month and approximately Rs 784 crore annually.
The minister also emphasized that “Shakti” assurance will continue. Shakti offers free travel to women in Karnataka on state-owned non-luxury buses across the state. The minister explained that Rs 5,015 crore has been earmarked for the ‘Shakti’ program in the current financial year.
The BJP and Australian AP are also offering many freebies, including free financial aid to women voters. A petition challenging the free giveaway culture has been filed in the Supreme Court.