BUDGETARY LIMITATIONS AND ELECTION PROMISES ON EDUCATION AND HEALTH

In their election manifestos or resolutions, every political party presents tempting promises to the public.

- ALOK MEHTA

No other democratic country in the world has so many claims. Not only in India, but in prosperous countries like America, Britain, Germany or even in small developing countries like Ghana, Burkina Faso in Africa, education of children and health security for every family is the most important issue. From this point of view, in the Delhi Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party have made promises like free education and guaranteed health security to gain public support.

But the question arises that how much facilities and relief they have given to the public in these areas during the last years. Their promises can be trusted only on this criterion. At the same time, the common citizen has started to understand that everything cannot be available for free, because neither is there so much government budget nor has the system created earlier been able to provide them enough. Whatever is received is collected from the public in the form of taxes in various items. Therefore, now they do not trust empty and false election promises. Why only India, "Obamacare health plan" brought by former US President Barack Obama was implemented in 2010 after a long debate from pros and cons, its process is continuing till date and this year the increase in tax burden due to it has become an issue. Whereas Prime Minister Narendra Modi implemented Ayushman Bharat health plan in 2017 on the basis of recommendation of National Health Mission and due to this about 12 crore low income families of 34 states of the country or about 60 crore people got the guarantee of Rs 5 lakh in case of illness with confidence. Then this year, provision of Ayushman Bharat health insurance has been made for every citizen above the age of 70 years. Meaning about 6 crore elderly people have got the guarantee of health insurance. No such plan has been implemented in the world.