Saturday, April 12, 2014

Creating an informed citizenry

In any modern society the responsibility of informing the public about government policies, new issues and solutions, possible solutions etc is with the government and hence the leadership. Take for example the oil and gas price. Every one is under the impression that the govt. is with sort of enmity to the public when it comes to pricing of oil and gas or for that matter the essentials. All political parties and communal groups look at the govt. as enemy number one and blame the govt for everything from price rise to climate change and water scarcity. Any manufacturer and supplier will stay in business as long as he gets his profit share finally. Similar is the case with millions of retailers.
So the price rise is a phenomenon in which the business, clients, buyers importers and such other people need to make a buck.
All are part of the society and the gov. Is forced to play a careful role to satisfy all stake holders, which a bit acrobatic. The was only one country in the world where price rise was unheard off -  the former USSR. I had luck to live in Mo scow for six months in 1986 there was no price rise in the communist system. The fellowship I had was 300 doubles per month. The predoctorals had a fellowship of 100 Robles pm. In 1965 also that was the rate of fellowship which a good friend of mine enjoyed. To quote him "during the last week of every month the foreign students used to check into some city hospital so that they get fed correctly with at least steamed potato"  the hospital crew knew all about it and allowed it. It was one the ways to stave off hunger by the end of the month.

Well that system of govt. is history. So, whether we have grand old party or the substitute party ruling, there will not be any different governance. For reasons we do not like to delve into.