TULA-DAAN

In a landmark decision the State Cabinet of Madhya Pradesh has decided to get their ministers to file their own income tax return and hold your breath, pay from their own pockets and not from the state treasury. Now that does call for a celebration, after all, whoever heard of politicians giving away something voluntarily. I am sure most of you would be quite surprised to learn that since 1972, the income tax of State Ministers was being paid for by the exchequer for their exemplary service to the state. Freebies or 'revadis' begin at home, and since they all have benefitted from the largesse so is it any surprise that they want to share this booty with their ardent supporters as well. No not the income tax variety but 'free rations', 'free electricity', 'free housing', 'free mobile phones/laptops', cash incentives 'khata-khat' types as most of this lot are not tax payers in true democratic traditions.

The parliamentarians are unanimous only when they discuss the increase in their pay, allowances and pensions. There are no stipulations in terms of minimum service, even for a day if you have had the privilege of being the representative of the people, you are entitled to a pension. As if this is not enough they are eligible for multiple pensions for each term they have been MPs/MLAs. Recently it was the AAP govt in Punjab which has put an end to this multiple pensions. But then like the erstwhile royalty, today's politicians too are no less, in terms of privileges and perks. These extend to their extended family as well, one of our ex Presidents was known to have taken her complete clan for foreign jaunts on state expenses obviously.

Then there is 'horse trading', wonder how come loyal horses got associated with this term which is essentially used for driving a hard bargain to win over the assembly/parliament with pecuniary gains thrown in, in ample measure. If "Chetak" the ride of Maharana Pratap was alive he would have sued English language itself for this defamation. World over defections are frowned upon and politicians stick to their respective ideologies and parties, but we Indians do not suffer from any such qualms, we can switch loyalty at the drop of a hat or topee if you prefer, as hats were for the British. After all we are the descendants of Jaichand and Mir Jaffer, who could join hand with the enemies for the proverbial 40 pieces of silver. The infamous "Aya Ram- Gaya Ram" in the late sixties have been the inspiration for generations of our parliamentarians. May be there is a case where defections should be legalised like the IPL, an auction could be organised post elections and highest bidder walks away with the trophy.

Elections are a costly business and it can't be managed with just regular pay and allowances is quite obvious. I have a suggestion for our worthy leaders to consider, as they obviously are in need for that extra something to keep their electoral machine  up and running always. We must reimburse their food intake like the "tula daan", those of you who are not familiar with this term, let me explain, we have a tradition of weighing our kids with grains etc to donate to the needy, which is considered a holy and pious deed. Politicians also get weighed in at times on special occasions such as their birthdays with laddoos etc, but we need to modify this a little, after every meal that they take, they ought to be weighed against sackful of currency notes, which should be presented to them. I know even that may not be enough, so like the mythological King Shibi from Mahabharat, who was known to have offered his own flesh to save a dove from a kite, we may have to resort to do just that in days to come.