Prior to the assembly elections, it was loan waiver to the farmers which catapulted KCR and Naidu to power. Of course, they cleverly reneged on their promise after the polls and the result is that farmers continue to commit suicides. But the mantra of waiver goes on as it is a proven recipe for electoral success. KCR is believed to have taken the decision to waive of ‘electricity’ and ‘water dues’ in Hyderabad amounting to nearly Rs 423 crore. The government will reimburse the respective agencies. A couple of months ago, the TRS government took a decision to collect only Rs 101 as property tax from house owners instead of the usual Rs 1200.
These decisions are taken only with the GHMC elections in mind. The point is: what message do such waivers send to the public? What would honest and hard- working people feel when defaulters are rewarded in such a fashion? “I work from morning to evening and pay my taxes on time whereas my neighbor hardly bothers to do so. Come election time, his dues are waived off which means that I am also paying for his taxes.” Any government should encourage and reinforce positive behavior from its citizens, but then this is India!
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