The country is witnessing an unprecedented economic chaos and financial fallout thanks to the autocratic imposition of demonetisation and the most hazardous manner in which GST was implemented in such a haste by the BJP government at the Centre. This has also resulted in the closure of many MSMES and lakhs of people losing their jobs. We are also witnessing bunches of farmers committing suicide in various States due to absolute poverty and on account of the cruel apathy shown towards their genuine demands by the saffron government. The people, particularly farmers who are very badly affected by the recent Cyclone Gaja are in terrible pain as the Central government showing a Nelson’s eye has preferred not to release even a single rupee till date to alleviate their sufferings. Under the circumstances, one really wonders whether it is the right time to go in for a manned space mission at a whopping cost of Rs 10,000 crores. Moreover, this mission is not for any developmental activity or defence security but only to satisfy the ego of the Prime Minister who committed this programme and just to pronounce to the world with all pride that , “we too have sent humans to the space”. Further, when India’s fiscal deficit has touched 115% of the full year target; of Budget Estimate (BE), will it be prudent for us to spend such a huge amount? Why can’t we wait to spare the amount till the country touches fiscal surplus?
When the Aam Aadmi is struggling to have a square meal a day, should we eke out such an extravagant pride, at the cost of the poor and the needy? Further, will it not be unpardonable when we are going to push three precious lives into grave risk by rushing through such a serious mission in haste, just to satisfy the ego of a single person? It is better, not so urgent projects like this are kept in abeyance to be considered at a later date, when we have surplus resources to squander.
However, I have my own doubt the ruling dispensation would be amenable to reasoning, as we have seen them wasting the precious tax payers’ money to the tune of Rs 3000 crore in erecting a lifeless statue with all arrogance without heeding the sane advice of the opposition parties and others to the contrary. They have done it only to boast in loud that the statue erected by them is the tallest in the world!
