In today's Indian Express Soli Sorabajee talks highly about the Supreme Court decision to held Indian Railways liable for the accidents arising out of the falling passengers who try enter a moving train. The columnist and the ex-Attorney General of India – gets into the details of the judicial principles that led the honourable court to that decision. He further expresses his happiness about the judicial activism and the public welfare aimed behind the judicial activism.
For a moment we are happy to read that piece. However at the same time we must bring forth the fact that there are many more instances where there is a need to take corrective action and that too within the judicial system itself. Take the case of Motor Vehicle Tribunal in Mumbai. Just a couple of weeks ago Loksatta, the Indian Express group Marathi daily, reported about the plight of the tribunal and lack of staff. The cases that are supposed to be put to rest within six months come for hearing only after couple of years. If this is the case, there is a need to revamp the system. Though, we buy the point that there is an acute lack of funds at the government's end.
However one must admit that there is a clear growth in the government spending over the last ten five year plans and the things are slated to continue. On the one hand we talk about the welfare state. Also our constitution aims at a socialist secular welfare state. But on the other hand the basic functions of maintaining law and order and defense are offered back seat. If this is the case, there is a possibility of a new debate cropping up. Is there a need to take up the welfare cause at the cost of the basic functions or is it the case that the basic functions are not carried out because of lethargy that is built in the system than lack or resources as they are spent on public welfare? The question becomes all the more important when the elections approach in more than 8 states and the union. Sorabajee's remark must be understood in the context of the political and economic scenario we are living into.
The race to announce more and more freebies will surely take the fiscal objectives set at the start of the eleventh five year plan on the backfoot. Rather the very fact that the welfare costs are met from the pockets of the junta. And in most cases the welfare functions of the government consume more resources than what they would consume otherwise. Also there are many other costs such as corruption and quality issues that walk into. The nation also pays in terms of the lives of Shanmugam.
The recent one to join the ranks is Kallol Sur, the block development officer in Midnapur, Bengal. How many more welfare costs can we bare? We need to answer the questions without getting attached to it. May God empower we 110 crore Indians to that effect.
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