Root for welfare schemes not freebies

“Voters, if given chance, will prefer to earn a dignified earning through welfare schemes such as MGNREGA and create public assets in rural India.”

I read the above said statement in ‘The Hindu’, a month back. I have always been an advocate of welfare schemes like MGNREGA in place of freebies. Whenever, the topic of freebies arise among my family and friends, while rooting for welfare schemes, I strongly condemn freebies. 

Recently, I have been to a cutting shop, which i usually go, when I am at my home town. So, while he cuts my hair, we talk about family, politics and many other topics. This time, I asked him if he’s a beneficiary of ‘free electricity’ scheme (free electricity up to 250 units), being provided by the government of Telangana. Replying yes to my question, he also added that, instead of providing free electricity, which is of a very minute use, the government could’ve provided us loans with no or minimum interest. 

I was so surprised to hear that from him and asked him to elaborate on it. He said “Every month, The shop accounts for 50-60 units of electricity, which would cost less than Rs. 200. I pay the shop rent, which is 20 times bigger than that. Apart from this salon, I also have a small field, where I farm. I wish and work hard for children to get good education. We all know, how costly education is now a days. I am not denying the fact that the ‘free electricity’ is a good scheme but government could’ve provided special loans to barbers and help them lead a better life.”

He also added that “Instead of, giving freebies and making people dumb, government could come up with many welfare schemes and provide good support and opportunities for people to earn in a respectable way.”

I was so happy to hear all those things from him. Because I have always thought that Indian masses are completely brain-faded by the freebies and lack an understanding of useful welfare schemes. But I was proven wrong. One understands the thinking of masses when you talk to them. 

I also wanted to write a small critique of a freebie “Dalitha Bandhu” which was started by the government of Telangana. Under the scheme, an amount of Rs. 10 lakh will be given to a Dalit family. The socio-economic status of beneficiary, under the scheme isn’t known. I have seen people buying cars with the money received under the scheme. Irony is leaders and families, who are close to MLAs, MPs and Ministers are the front runners under the scheme. Is this called social upliftment? Instead of giving such an amount in the form of freebie, government could make efforts to bring companies and create a huge number of jobs. It can manifest a reservation policy of Dalits in such companies.

Not just about one freebie, each and every freebie shall be contested with logical analytics and solutions in a way, the barber did about ‘free electricity’ scheme. Social consensus and critical analyzing can help us look any issue in a deep contestable way.