Sathya meva Jayathe. Yatha Raja Thatha Praja.

Promises and practices do not match. If all the promises of the politicains had been implemented, the country would have reached welfare status decades back. Even after seven decades of independence politicians seek votes on the promise of removal of poverty,prevention of corruption , generation of black money and provision of essentials including toilets. food,shelter and clothes. People are realising this but they have no choice but to vote for some better crooks (with lesser evils)among the contestants as the country is destined to suffer perennially under Democracy.Loot is the criterion pursued by  majority of politiicans and who loot comparatively less is given a chance to rule. Politicians have plundered the economy and some politicians have looted for generations together.  Bureaucracy helps, plans and share the loot. In this background, whether Budget comes before or after elections, it does not matter much to common man as his status as common man ever remains the same under all sorts of elected governments. Of course, there is a welcome change if it can be said so that now he is also allowed to loot in his own way and that is reflected in the society in different forms ie, corruption black money, greed in the pricing of goods and services,etc.No accountability is seen anywhere. Policemen loot, Judiciary loot, bankers loot, traders loot, brokers loot, borrowers loot and why not politicians and common man? People have come to know these and they are also joining the band wagon.A small percentage is forced to follow virtue and they suffer.But the number is dwindling as indicated in the number of those who file tax returns and who pay taxes. Only 2.4 million out of 125 crores of people have declared income above Rs 10 lakhs is a prrof that pursuing honesty is not a virtue and is not expected unless some wants to be in a fools paradise. Delhi alone should account for this figure if honesty is practised by the rulers, authorities and people at large. No shortage for slogans. They are plenty to satisfy the masses. Satyameva jayathe. Yatha raja thatha Praja. 

Dr T V Gopalakrishnan

This comment is given in Times of India against the Article budget goodies cannot sway away indian voters appeared on 15/1/17).