POLITICS OF BANDHS/STOP ALL

Political parties of all hues gave call for BHARAT BANDH for 31/5/12. The call was given to protest against decision to increase PETROL PRICES by about 7 rupees per liter. The parties after close of the day MUST BE all jubilant for having created lot of disturbances and inconveniences to the general public, besides loss of public and in some cases even private properties. As this is the general culture of “bands” that such type of anti human and anti national activities do take place. The big question is as to what and how, even those giving call and spear-heading such BUNDHS are benefited even though they feel, that they have gained public sympathy by raising public interest issues. The fact is that the general public in no way is benefited by these acts nor in general they wish such actions to take place, knowing fully well that all these actions are, keeping in view benefits to organizers and as for as public is concerned, their tears are only that of the crocodiles. We now understand that a relief of just about Rs 2 a liter has been allowed just after two days of bandh which going by the price of petrol nearing above Rs 70/ a liter is just a straw in camel’s mouth and the general public is not going to get any comfortable relief by this tokenism. Where the system as well as BANDH sponsors separately feel the winners in the process, but the general public is no gainer at all.


As far as petrol prices are concerned, this is not for the first time that such increase has been done, rather this is a very regular feature for this commodity. Every time the increase in done there are protests and anger showings, still the prices continue to rise. About 2/3 years back it was being priced at less than Rs 50/- a liter, in the year about 1965 it was just about or less than one rupee a liter. At that time number of vehicles on roads as well as their owners would be very few. There fore consumption of petrol too was less. Use of bicycles was very common, and for small distances say about 3/4 km, the people would walk down only, mostly not making use of the bicycles even. This would keep people most physically fit and healthy. Since the year about sixties, population in the country has increased many folds. Though it is not connected with increase in population, still number of vehicles i.e. two wheelers as well as four wheelers, I mean petrol driven vehicles have increased still many times more due to TENDENCY OF CONSUMERISM. During the last decade, lending for all types of consumptions including for vehicles are being done very freely by many lending companies including by the public sector banks. So number of vehicles is increasing with a very high speed. The problem created thus is not only petrol prices, rather prices of all items of daily use including prices of bare necessities have increased many folds, to the extent that even upper middle class is feeling it difficult to live a reasonably comfortable life, what to say of the lower middle class AND STILL POOR families.

Calls for “Bands” are no doubt given by the political class only who as a matter of fact them-selves are responsible for most ills and problems in the society/country. This I say, because this very class is at the helm of the systems in one way or the other and in one state or the other. All the ills, wherever existing are needed to be discussed thread bare at the proper forums, i.e state assemblies/the central parliament. Not only this, the parties are supposed to take up calling for meetings with the ruling groups, discuss, listen to each other’s views patiently, give concrete/honest /workable suggestions as well as help in their implementations, all standing shoulder to shoulder, with the ruling dispensations as well as those out of these groups.

Just now the parties not part of the ruling groups are given the name as OPPOSITION parties, going by the name given, they feel as if their job is only to oppose each and every move of the ruling party. That’s why the under current of each and every move of the party sitting in the opposition benches is so only. There fore, the need of the hour is to change this given name. Let them, instead be called as SEHYOGI DALS meaning that their duty is not to oppose only, but is to help also in the progress of the nation. AS THE NAME, SO THE ACTIONS. Some other reasons for increase in prices at all levels with suggestions for cure are detailed here to after;

The biggest problem for increase in prices of all items is ABNOXIOUS INCREASE IN POPULATION. So THIS ASPECT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE WITHOUT DELAY. The country must learn and act on the Zeal and honesty shown by late SANJAY GANDHI in this direction. Our political class as a whole is afraid of touching this issue fearing loss of sympathy from the voters, giving example of INDRA GANDHI loosing her govt on this very issue which does not seem to be the real cause of her defeat, but it as we see was due to some in the political class having been able to fool the public just for political gains. Making family planning as the issue THE FACT REMAINS THAT IGNORING THIS ASPECT MAY PROVE VERY HARMFUL TO THE PRESENT AS WELL AS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

SOME ONE SEEMS HAVING RIGHTLY SAID-; “LAMHON NE KHATA KI THEE SADIYON NE SAZHA PAAYI”. So immediate need is to act here, going by the perils created by this obnoxious increase WE HAVE ALREADY SUFFERED LOTS OF LOOT AND HUMILIATIONS DUE TO MANY FOLLIES OF OUR ANCESTORS. Let us not repeat these mistakes. . .

Consumerism at all levels need be controlled. As a start we must immediately take up the functions being organized at Govt. levels as well as by the individuals. For individuals a ban of maximum of 50 person’s gathering can be put. Similar restrictions are needed for the decorations and dishes to be served. ON the part of the system, besides many other actions needed to be taken should be BAN on unneeded constructions specially needing acquiring agricultural land/changing of names of states/districts/cities/ roads/institutions and so on, as these changes besides being putting the general public in dark well, also have to be supported by changes in all govt records incurring huge expenses. Again, too frequent transfers on change of the persons at the helm need be put a break to. For this purpose definite policy guidelines need be made and enforced. This again is to help control unneeded expenses, as on transfers lot of money goes down the drains. Besides pilferages/corrupt practices at most working places resulting in loss of funds need be checked. JUST NOW IT IS VERY GENERALLY OBSERVED THAT THE WORKING CLASS DO NOT HONESTLY PUT IN THE DAY’S WORK, MIGHT BE AT PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS /OR EVEN AT PUBLIC OFFICES this tendency has developed in daily wage workers as well. THIS ONLY INCREASES the cost on goods and services, which results in further pushing up prices at all levels. SHOULD THE SYSTEM NOT PONDER OVER REASONS for long delays in completing most projects and how this further burdens the system resulting, either in increase in cost of goods and services or by taxes by the system. So this aspect needs to be attended with urgency. To control prices of all items including of petrol in nutshell the need is to control expenses/wastages and increase productivity.[not of humans]

Use of vehicles need be controlled by permitting only minimum and selective lending for this purpose, by the lending agencies including public sector banks. Instead our MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES need be given better push and speed so that banks in order to invest their surplus funds do not go for these type of lending’s for all type of consumptions including this MENACE OF VEHICLES, the biggest cause of CONGESSIONS, POLLUTIONS AND INCREASE OF PETROL CONSUMPTION, RESPONSIBLE FOR INCREASE IN PRICES OF PETROL. Besides, as is known to every one INCLUDING THE POLITICAL CLASS, DIESEL just now is heavily subsidized. WHY CANNOT THE SYSTEM SEE THAT NOW USE OF diesel driven vehicles has become very common. Most people use very big vehicles for the purpose, owned almost in 100% cases by the affluent ones only. So giving subsidy to this class of people and the Affluent farmers compels the weak ones to carry Burdon of the undeserving ones is injustice. So subsidy of DIESEL need be scraped at once rather use of big cars too need be controlled, so as to spare the already congested roads of this further load.

Causes for increase in prices of all items are mostly due to FAULTY GOVERNANCE and their priorities as the system keeps no control on un needed expenses in maintaining and keeping in good humor the EMPLOYEES,THE VOTERS the POLITICIANS AS WELL. And spend a good part of income on subsidies/doles /freebies and If at all so needed let us indulge in politics not more that 10% the rest 90% should be our statesmanship, so that beyond saving our country, the future generations do not hate us as bad politicians and instead remember us with respect as GOOD STATESMEN..

In the light of the fore mentioned, request is made to all the country men/political class/bureaucracy the media all concerned citizens to please make the system AWAKE so that we do not get TOO LATE to enforce corrections where ever needed, but surely BANDHS/STOP ALL are not the remedies.

R.D.AGARWAL-A-86 INDRA NAGAR LUCKNOW blog;-www.rdagarwal.blogspot.com twitter-rdagarwal