“Laadle” MLAs

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anybody would definitely go to the MLA to get it signed, though the forms can be legally submitted even without MLA’s signature. It would make all the MLAs happy, including the opposition MLAs, though the blackmail is neither democratic nor justified.

goanews.com has already taken a stand that ‘Laadli Laxmi’ scheme is not meant for reducing female foeticide, contrary to what chief minister Manohar Parrikar keeps on reiterating; a la Gobbel. How can a girl child to be born tomorrow be saved by giving Rs one lakh to the girl born 18 years ago? It’s a populist scheme, let’s admit, which people would appreciate and girls, parents and the bridegroom would dance at. Because Rs one lakh is definitely not a small sum. It is also not a new scheme, but upgradation of ‘Kanya Daan’ scheme introduced by Parrikar’s Congress predecessor Digambar Kamat in his last year’s budget, but with only Rs 25,000, that too only for economically weaker sections. His another scheme called ‘Dhan Laxmi’, depositing Rs 25,000 by opening a bank account of a newly born girl child, was actually helping to control female foeticide. Sadly, Parrikar has discontinued it.

But the ‘Laadli Laxmi’ scheme not only appears benefitting the young girls, who want to get married. It would also benefit the MLAs, especially the BJP MLAs. The forms were printed and were taken exclusively only by the BJP MLAs. How? Parrikar has a simple reply to it. Being the ruling party MLAs, they came to know first about the forms and they simply picked up ALL the forms, leaving not a single form behind in the Department of Women and Child Development. After opposition MLAs made a hue and cry over it in the Assembly, Parrikar has now assured to print the second lot, for the MLAs as well as for general distribution.

The fact is that the BJP MLAs are already distributing it. Nothing new in it. When Congress was in power, they had an exclusive right over such forms before the opposition MLAs could get it. Every dog has his own day! But there is something more. Parrikar has not denied the allegation that the BJP MLAs are making it a precondition to become the BJP member, to get this form. “What can I do if they are enrolling the applicants as party members”, asks the chief minister. Why is the BJP so desperate to get people enrolled in the party through such blackmails, after such a huge and historical victory? Because it was not the BJP’s victory? Or because binding people with such emotional blackmails – the Congress style – is the only way to play politics?

Well, this is not enough. Parrikar has made one more thing amply clear. If the MLA signs the ‘Laadli Laxmi’ form, the bride gets her one lakh faster. If not, it would be delayed due to investigations and verifications about the bride. Obviously, anybody would definitely go to the MLA to get it signed, though the forms can be legally submitted even without MLA’s signature. It would make all the MLAs happy, including the opposition MLAs, though the blackmail is neither democratic nor justified.

Parrikar has a justification for such kind of arrangement. According to him, the MLA is the most ‘responsible’ person and he would definitely not sign the form without verifying the fact. Possible. But he has given ultra-freedom to the MLAs. There is no compulsion that the MLAs have to sign forms only from their own constituency. They can sign any form from any constituency. How will the MLA of Canacona know the applicant of Poriem constituency or Valpoi MLA know the girl from Sanguem? But they would be considered authentic and money would be disbursed without raising any suspicion. Are our politicians really above such suspicion? Do we have all ‘clean’ MLAs in the Assembly now?

Women’s organizations have criticized the ‘Laadli Laxmi’ scheme, terming it as an official dowry from the government. While citing series of examples of dowry deaths, they have expressed fear that the scheme may simply lead to such kind of horrific incidents. People may get simply married to get one lakh. With such ultra-freedom given to the MLAs, obviously for political benefits, there is yet another fear of politicians taking ‘advantage’ of the situation. Has Parrikar thought over this danger lying ahead?