One of the key promises made by Chandrababu Naidu during 2014 campaign was to provide financial assistance to unemployed youth of Andhra Pradesh to the tune of Rs 1,000 per month. This will cost the exchequer around Rs 1200 crore per anum.
The Chief Minister who did not bother about this promise at all during the first four years of his administration has suddenly woken up from his slumber and got the cabinet to approve the proposal.
The beneficiaries will be identified and the process is being worked out which could take some more time.
But, this is clearly an attempt being made with the elections in view rather than any noble considerations. Or does it mean that the promises made by the Chief Minister will only be honoured towards the end of his tenure?
Besides, with no help from the Centre and given the current financial position of the State, how will the Chief Minister come up with the funds?
And finally, unemployment dole is something which has been implemented in various countries and in many states of India in different formats.
In the developed world, usually, people go on the dole only as a last resort and even then, they are embarrassed to do so.
But in countries like India, there is very much the danger of such schemes becoming an incentive for unemployment. Around 10 lakh youth will be covered under this scheme.
Will it be 10 lakh TDP cadre? Instead of providing Rs 1,000 to them, sine the scheme will cost Rs 1200 per anum and assuming the Chief Minister can implement the same successfully for one year, why can’t he use the same amount instead for setting up industries or for infrastructure in backward areas of the State?
This way, the regions will prosper and the State will also get the investment back in the form of taxation not to speak of the all-essential votes?
As of now, the State is not going to get back a single penny of this Rs 1200 crore except maybe for votes.
A Chief Minister who prides himself on going to Davos should be considering all these aspects.
