Many people want to join politics because it means making money with little investment
The declaration of assets by the Union Cabinet is now a hot topic of discussion in the Capital. Recently a group of youngsters who were discussing a list on a website were angry, amazed and embarrassed to read that the politicians whom they thought owned huge landholdings were actually the poorest!
Believe it or not, Sharad Pawar has declared that he has only Rs12 crore and owes no land. One wonders how many others there are like him who have declared their assets and claim to be poorer than the average man in the country. One just needs to look at their lifestyle to know the true picture of whether what they have declared is correct or not.
Almost all the children of these politicians study abroad and lead a luxurious lifestyle. But what the common man does not realise is that everything for these politicians is paid for by the Government. However, the picture put in front of the public is just the opposite — that the facilities given to them by the Government is paid by the politicians.
If you are a Union Minister or a Minister for State — housing, electricity, water, petrol and phone is all free. The bills are settled by the tax-payer’s money. All travelling expenses (including travelling expense of a companion, if needed, is also free), salaries of the staff and medical insurance is paid for by the Government. Even the politicians’ family’s health is covered under the Government expense. There was a time when the public servants used to get pension (the rules have changed and now public servants need to contribute towards their pension). And then there are those who have worked with the Indian Railways who get free tickets for First Class for the rest of their lives.
So is it any wonder that more and more people what to get into politics. After all it is good business — it gives good returns with very little investment. And it is not just one person who reaps the benefits. His entire family — friends and relatives also benefit. If it is not becoming a politician, then definitely a Government job.
And the reason why politicians go out of their way to help others? They believe that these very people will come to their rescue if and when the time arises. What they forget is that politics is all about kissa kursi ka. When out of power, the politician is automatically out from the other person’s phone list.
Therefore, in the end, it really doesn’t matter whether the Ministers declare their wealth and assets for the common man.
But it’s a good start and hopefully it will ensure that the politicians would think twice before amassing huge wealth that happens to be tax-payers money. This, of course, in no way means that politicians can’t have a lavish lifestyle.
What the public wants are politicians who are honest and corruption that has crept in be rooted out.
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