The sealing of illegal commercial establishments across the length and breadth of Delhi by the MCD officals in wake of the order by the Supreme Court has witnessed mass criticism by the business commuity in Delhi. The step affects about 11 Lakh commercial establishments directly.Assuming a paltry 4 persons working per shop, leaving aside the bigger establishments,and assuming 3 out of these 4 persons are earning members of a family of only 4, the backlash will affect about half the population or about 75 lakh people.
For the non-delhiite reader, let me make clear that not even a stone brick can be moved in Dehi without greasing palms of the Municipal Corporation , MCD and the Delhi Police , leave aside setting up an establishment. The entire MCD and specially it's Junior Engineers, whose seal is required before carrying out any activity are the epitomes of corruption.
The bigger question here is that why has the Supreme Court waken up half a century after all this began.Historically, Delhi was flocked by people from Lahore, Islamabad ,Sindh,Multan etc. post independence. The goverment then provided them makeshift houses and slowly these peeople infused into Delhi Culture. The goverment then promised these people shops way back in seventies. Till now, however only 20percent of that number has been constructed, while the population has grown manifold. Naturally , this population had to earn a living and also needed things , which could only be brought by building new shops.Therefore, by bribing the local MCD and Police, they began encroching on the existing markets, like Lajpat Nagar, Karol Bagh,Sarojini Nagar,Sadar, Rajouri Garden etc.Soon business prospered and these people became rich.
So the Police ,MCD and other departments are at equal fault and should be equally punished.But why is it not done?.The sealing and demolitions which are being carried out are being done also in the context of creating space for the 2010 Common Wealth games in Delhi and the 2020 Master Plan. What use is the plan if half the population is jobless and frustrated ?Are these games so important that the Average Delhi 'Dukaandaar' should sacrifice himself and his family ? .
It is being whispered all over that the big builder and mall lobby has leveraged its political influence as the sealings and demolitions directly increase their business and create land for further construction activity.It is known that the SC decisions are not free from the political lobby.
What would be the outcome of this process? The shopkeepers , whose only source of income has been snatched away are on streets and are ready to do 'anything' if the goverment carries on, and are not averse to violence. OBviously, the situation in Delhi is explosive and a few days more, this will ultimately lead into full fledged riot situation.There is no other solution which the shopkeeper has.Even when the jhuggis are cleared, they are provided rehabitaion , not cruelly left to rot, but the dukaandaars are being provided NO such space.
The demand of the people is absolutely genuine and the goverment is playing havoc with its own existance.As such , 2006 is a dangerous year and Congress govt. can be pushed out of power , that is what the biggie astrologers have predicted.
History is a proof that people cannot be fooled all the time.People vote by their stomachs and wallets and not empty promises.If people are out of business, then what happens? Politicians in this 'democracy' will be out of power !1992 economic crises put George Bush Sr. ,who was more poppular than Ronald Regan out of power.Bill Clinton gt re-elected simply because the economy was doing well.In England, John Major lost the election for the same reason , while Tony Blair has been re-elected and then re-re elected because the economy is doing well.Helmut Kohl, the long lasting leader of Germany was gone because he made the fatal mistake of integrating East Germany with West Germany on equal footing.Unemployment shot up from less than 2 percent to 10 percent.Voters took out anger and government was put out of power.
Perhaps it's time politicians should stop playing political stunts of resigning from different positions and claiming widespread aww but fight for the interest of it's voters.Congress which came to power with the manifesto of supporting 'Aam aadmi', would be shown door by the Aam Admi.BJP is sitting back and enjoying the feast, though they were I believe better than Congress as atleast they supported the business community.But atleast in Delhi, which will go to the polls in two years, will observe Major Voter turnout and that too against the ruling party. You cannot sit and play with the lives of a crore people.
What is happening all across the country? MNC's are booking record profits, Dukaandaars are crying for help, Stock Markets are booming and Goverment happily claiming credit, reserveing more seats for the OBC's at a time 5 major stated are going to polls.Sometimes, this reminds me of the Asian Paints commercial, where Chhote Nawab stands proud for a useless kartab(stunt) and the 'Aam Junta' is impressed by the walls , which were not soiled even by the sand displaced from the feet of running horses!! Infact, I sometimes wonder, how is it prctically possible for anyone to survive here ?
It also reminds me of the serial Office Office, where Pankaj Kapoor, whos plays Mussadi Lall says the million dollar line " Kutton ke saath toh Maneka (Gandhi) Ji hain, hamare saath kaun hai ? " (Even dogs have Maneka Gandhi supporting them, who the hell is with us? )
Hum Honge Kamyab, Hum Honge Kamyab ek din!!
Mera Bharat Mahan
