GST and the masses

GST if introduced and implemented should benefit the economy and the people, but the way the Govt functions it is difficult for people to take for granted the govt's sincerity and good intentions if any behind it.All these years, the Govt has been fooling the masses and has made life miserable for aam aadmi. The latest is the Planning Commission's submission to the Supreme Court that person earning Rs 32 a day in an urban centre comes above the poverty line reflecting the Govt's insensitiveness to realise the ground realities of the living conditions of the masses and lack of concern for aam aadmi's welfare. The Govt is a miserable failure in combating inflation, corruption black money and bringing in fiscal discipline. GST should not be another modus operandi to favour the rich industrialists at the cost of general public is the fear lingering in the minds of masses. Govt should realise this and take proactive steps to convince that GST would turn out to be good for the masses and the economy.

Dr.T.V.Gopalakrishnan

Poverty, Statistics, Politics and the common man

The editorial Poverty of Statistics is very apt. The Planning Commission's submission to the Supreme Court that a person who earns Rs 32( not 31 as indicated ) in urban area and Rs 27 in rural area should be treated above poverty line only reflects poor understanding of the poverty, or of the value of the rupee, or the inflation level prevailing in the economy, or the credibility of data by its Members. It also reflects poorly, the concern that the Members have for the people particularly the poor.It is okay if these poor people have access to some canteens maintained by the Govt and the food is made available at these rates.It is time to admit that there is no accuracy of data with regard to the poor people and the method of arriving at the poverty level has no consensus. The amount of subsidies and various poverty linked programmes do not benefit the poor are common knowledge. The UID is the only hope left now and hope some lasting solution to remove poverty will be found soon.

Dr.T.V.Gopalakrishnan.

(This appeared in The Hindu-Business Line Dt 27/09/11).