There are more than 22 lakh women in Himachal as per the 2011 Census. Task becomes all the more daunting as hill state suffered loss of Rs 9,000 crore due to rains in July-August.
Both incumbent Congress & its main rival BJP are offering host of freebies. Some voters have welcomed the move, others say it is only aimed at elections.
While the courts and media come down heavily on this culture, political parties continue to announce freebies. They do this under the pretext of promising a ‘welfare state’.
In its ‘Sankalp Patra’ for Rajasthan, BJP commits to develop Jaipur as ‘Smart City’, increase pensions for elderly & specially-abled and ensure MSP for millets.
Madhya Pradesh BJP has put its eggs in Ladli Behana Yojana basket, while Congress is waiting for Model Code of Conduct to 'handcuff' Shivraj govt before it opens its 'chest' of promises.
Subsidies are here to stay. Worryingly, subsidy expenditure will likely increase as Indian politicians try to meet a wider set of aspirations through more diverse freebies.
Next round of state elections will see more welfare promises. However, these freebies may be offered at the cost of investment in infrastructure required for a modernising economy.
Rajasthan’s finances show its revenue is relatively strong & it is becoming more independent of the Centre. Prioritising social sector over capex is not necessarily bad, say experts.
Lt Gen Hardev Singh Lidder’s book on Operation Sarp Vinash shows why the Indian Army’s 2003 campaign to clear terrorist strongholds in Rajouri-Poonch still matters today.
Bihar is blessed with a land more fertile for revolutions than any in India. Why has it fallen so far behind then? Constant obsession with politics is at the root of its destruction.
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