BENI PRASAD VERMA’S ECONOMIC THEORY

Beni Prasad Verma, our Steel Minister has laid bare his economic prowess to the media persons and camera men by happily stating that he is elated over rising inflation, since with the corresponding rise in inflation, the ones who benefit are our farmers since they can sell their produce for higher prices. The man from Uttar Pradesh who was once a prominent leader of Samajwadi Party which is ruling the State at present, on a fine morning crossed over to Indian National Congress choosing an auspicious moment.

The Dalit leader was accorded a grand reception by the leaders of Congress party and he stepped into the Congress’s reception room putting his right leg inside first that too choosing an auspicious moment. He must have repented over wasting his valuable years in the Samajwadi Party gaining nothing. Once a friend and follower of SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, one day he fell out with him. Sorry, the reason that prompted him to fall out with the ‘great’ leader is still unknown to me, most probably he might have seen greener pastures on the other side of the fence. Fence-sitters have always a propensity and knack to locate greener pastures, even his former leader Mulayam Singh is not an exception. While making the statement related to rising inflation the farmers across the country might have experienced music in their ears. At a time the farmers across various parts of the country unable to suffer unendurable hardships on account of severe drought, bad harvest and shylocks chasing them demanding their pound of flesh seek refuge in ending their lives by consuming pesticides or by hanging from a rope or lying on the rail track waiting for the approaching train reminding one of a beast approaching menacingly towards its victim. The rise in inflation according to this economic expert is a blessing in disguise for our farmers.

Salman Khurshid, the Law Minister and veteran Congress leader who is also hailing from UP reportedly couldn’t find fault with Beni Prasad Verma upon the opposition leaders taking a strong exception to Verma’s statement and tried to explain away the statement was made in a particular context. The gentleman might be knowing more.

While millions and millions of Indians are reeling under the impact of inflation while prices of food items and essential commodities are rising sky-high while our overall economic growth is showing signs of decline, while D.Subbarao, Governor, Reserve Bank of India and his team are working round the clock seeking various options to rein in inflation which shows an upward growth, a Central Minister is jumping up and down with joy and delight over the rising inflation since it contributes very much to farmers. That their harvest produce is about to fetch a good price which would make the farmers rising to prosperity. This man certainly deserves kudos, if not a Nobel, at least a doctorate by an acclaimed University will do.

While making this statement, had he ever thought about the rising prices of agricultural inputs like fertilizers, seeds, water, power etc essential for agriculture the prices of which are bound to shoot up which are likely to choke the hapless farmers.

Without these inputs a farmer won’t be able to cultivate and reap a rich harvest. Most of us Indians are very well aware of the unfortunate fact that agricultural inputs like fertilizers, seeds, water, cattle, electricity etc are expensive. Furthermore, due to lack of infrastructural facilities like irrigation, electricity and properly maintained roads, we are nowhere near self-sufficiency.

Natural calamities like drought, floods, failure of monsoon etc deprive almost 70 percent of Indian farmers of even the basic needs to sustain themselves.

And a pro-corporate govt is obsessed with the welfare of big sharks and is always prepared to reach to the help and service of the corporates. While almost 70% of farmers are feeling the heat of the neo-liberal reforms, the industrial barons and business tycoons are comfortably enjoying the cool ambience in their air-conditioned cabins and flats. They are provided more and more. The more they prosper, the less the farmers and those at the bottom-line suffer. Finding no way out of the hardships and sufferings some seek solace in suicides, or flee their villages to urban areas where even sanitation facilities and pure drinking water and accommodation are scarce. They are constrained to pitch their tents somewhere along the way and after a long search for jobs end up as coolies.

Without providing the farmers maximum financial assistance and agricultural inputs at affordable prices who feed 1.2 billion Indians, how come our country develop as a Super Power?

Perhaps, Beni Prasad Verma must be knowing the answer?