Government must not back off?

SRINAGAR: After a spate of protests across Srinagar over the rationalization of the rice subsidy- which envisages a quantum of 5 kg of rice per person instead of the blanker 35 kgs per family,  the Minister of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Choudhary Zuklfikar Ali , in a press conference stated  that 22.73 lakh families comprising 119.13 lakh souls are to be covered under NFSA in the State and the CA&PD Department, with the help of concerned District Development Commissioners, was  in the process of creating a comprehensive data-base in this regard.

The Minister  pointing out the difference between the existing and proposed  rice subsidy  regime said that , “while under the existing dispensation only 18.02 lakh families comprising a population of 99 lakh souls were covered under Public Distribution System (PDS) in J&K, the implementation of NFSA will cover 22.73 lakh families comprising a population of 119.13 lakh souls. He said while 13.73 lakh families comprising 74.13 lakh souls would get highly subsidized rations at the rate of Rs 2 per kg (atta) and Rs 3 per kg (rice), another 7.85 lakh families comprising 45 lakh souls would get rations at the rate of Rs 8 (atta) and Rs 10 per kg (rice). He said every family member in these categories would be entitled to get 5 kgs ration per head except 2.56 lakh families comprising 13.77 lakh souls in AAY category who would continue to get 35 kgs ration per family, irrespective the number of family members.

In essence, what the Minister is saying is that the proposed rice subsidy regime is more rational and its coverage area is larger and wider.

The previous regime with its blanket provision(s) -35 Kgs per family- was a sure shot recipe for graft and corruption. The point of contact at the rice depot-the store keeper- could easily enter into a wink wink nod nod relationship with a consumer whose family size was small, sell a certain quantum of rice to him/her and sell the balance in the black market. Now that the regime has been rationalized, with a computerized data set under the aegis of the Adhar card system, the possibilities of this kind of graft have been more or less eliminated. Moreover, there will be both cost savings as well the reach of the new regime will be expanded by increasing the number of people under its ambit. This is rational, effective and efficient as can be. What is perplexing about the whole saga are the protests that this effective and effective and even equitable regime has spawned? Why protest over a policy regime that is prudent and sane?

The answer, it would appear, is that our society, over time, has become a society of rage determined entitlement. This is overlain by self righteousness and a victimhood complex that makes us feel entitlement to almost anything. This is the general and broad reason for the protest. Other prosaic and pedestrian reasons may be at work too. This may include the vested interests that the new policy regime is bound to affect- gatt munshis and other assorted people who , under the past regime, would form a network  and nexus to extort what economists call ‘rents’ from the loopholes. The protests then are rich in the sense that they are unwarranted and uncalled for. It is not often that Government’s in the state come up with policy formulas and prescriptions that redound to overall welfare and larger benefit of the people. While the real intent and financial implications of the premise behind the new rice subsidy regime-Food Security- may be questioned, but the consequences and the rolling out of the regime seems a fine idea. Instead of feeling entitled to stuff that we don’t really earn, we must introspect and think deep about what we can earn. This is the broad message for the people. The Government , on its part, must stay put and not back off; these unwarranted protests will fizzle and burn out and die a natural death.

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