Politicians using freebies as opium to lure people: Former IAS officer

“Freebies are like ‘political opium’, dosage of which is being increased by different political parties to compete with each other and gain more votes,” remarked former Chief Information Commissioner of Punjab Ramesh Inder Singh during the inaugural ceremony of ‘Contemporary Punjab: Politics and Society’ seminar in Panjab University.

Punjab, which is reeling under the menace of drugs, brain drain and unemployment, needs to be taken out of this by the political leadership of the state instead of indulging in petty politics for electoral gains. This was conveyed by panelists from different fields during the event organised by Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan (BVSSS), New Delhi, and PU’s Department of Political Science.

Mounting debt

The debt on Punjab will increase to Rs 3.7 lakh crore by the end of the year and the politicians will still woo voters with promises of free electricity, bus rides and money for women. — Ramesh Inder Singh, former Chief Information Commissioner of Punjab

Evoking lines from the national anthem penned down by Rabindranath Tagore, the former IAS officer said the state which led the nation through the Green Revolution and considered as sword arm of India, today has youth unemployed who needs to be directed in right direction.

“The debt on the state will increase to Rs 3.7 lakh crore by the end of the year and the politicians will still woo voters with promises of free electricity, bus rides and money for women,” he added.

Greetings sent by former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who is also the Chairman of the institution, were read out by Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan senior VP of Jatinderpal Singh, a former IAS officer. “I have noted with satisfaction that the agenda of the seminar is thoughtfully crafted to address a range of pertinent issues of contemporary Punjab,” Dr Manmohan Singh said in his note.

Jyoti Malhotra, Editor in Chief, The Tribune, also addressed the seminar as chief guest.

Dr Mohinder Singh, director of National Institute of Panjab Studies, Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, said, “We need to ponder over the situation of the state and do our part.”

Scholars, educationists and intellectuals will hold sessions on issues pertaining to Punjab, including polity, education and politics during the two-day event.