Been a while since I have typed something in this hallowed space so thought I would put in my two cents. I really felt like voicing a sincere thought about the ongoing relief measures taken by the Indian Govt and wanted to really express my thoughts about how skilful planning can overcome many cash-flow hassles.Nobodys asked for it..but hey! what the heck..thats what the blog is for
This is in particular reference to the badly hit coastal Tamil Nadu where the only livelihood of the people was selling fish. They have been deprived of their kith and kins' life and also have been kicked hard in the stomach which is agonizing.NGOs are making their contribution by collecting money from NRIs and also several concerned and considerate people from within and outside the country.But is this enough..sincerely I dont think so !
The Govt has announced a 500 crore budget for relief measures and we hear speculations that they were planning to levy a Tsunami Relief tax on every working man's paycheck. Is this even worth considering at this point. Will every Indian want to pay more tax to the Govt being sure that the channel which the money is routed through has a severe bottleneck and produces a very little output? I am sure there will be schemes like buy a TV on a company loan and get a "Tsunami Tax" rebate...if thats not hitting the nadir ..beat that! In one of the towns in Tamil Nadu there are better transportation facilities made available right now.People in that area are irritated and they suggest that when they needed the transportation the most, the Tamil Nadu Govt stopped it and now when they are rummaging through the debris to find out the bodies of their loved ones, the Govt provides extra bus service connecting.Thats more inhuman than my wierdest thoughts..I will need to make some efforts to match that sadism :-)
Just one or two disturbing things I read in the news papers and it made me feel really frustrated that there is nothing I can do apart from donating money to one of the relief fund agencies and watch the news. Personally here are a list of things I would have really liked to be:
1. Govt already has a good amount of relief fund and it also whole-heartedly appeals to the UN and other nations to "SHOW ME THE MONEY".It is disturbing to read in the papers that "India has not said no to foreign funds". I am sorry..come again.. how does the word "NO" even figure in discussions. Grab whatever help you can get with both hands, " Take the money but use all you can spare first and then use the extra money"
2. Money alone would not do everything. What is also needed is food and medical facilities.I am sure there are many selfless doctors who are working day and night to save as many people as they can but no contribution is less in this regard.Packets of food should be transported by helicopters in severely affected areas and also by road transport( Today I read about this being done..so thats great). Epidemics like cholera, typhoid and others are very possible so vaccination centers should be installed as soon as possible.
3.How many of the insurance companies in India will really feel the pinch in this case. I doubt any of them would.We insure our cars, get health insurance and in extreme cases we get theft or damage insurance on our properties. A mandatory insurance policy however small it might be( as a part of income tax) would really help to ring the " PAYBACK TIME" bell for insurance companies.This is a far-thought but it wouldnt hurt. I have heard about farmers in my village becoming insurance agents for LIC and New India so its not impossible
4.Long term rehabilitation funds for the affected-Most of those who have been most badly hit are fishermen who have lost their boats, houses and nets. The central government should ensure that all such affected people resume their normal lives as soon as possible.