Six states are going to have Assembly elections next year, some in the next six months. The governments of most of these states announced major concessions to woo voters on or just before Independence Day.
Manipur, Goa, Gujarat, UP, Uttaranchal and Punjab are going for polls in 2007. In Manipur, separatists declared a 17-hour general strike to enforce a boycott of Independence Day celebrations, which dampened the mood somewhat.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is facing a lot of flak for his government's lack of management of floods. Observers expect Modi to make major announcements to win over angry Hindu voters in the next few months.
But for the other state governments, profligacy seemed to be the shortest route to reelection. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has been making large cash doles for some months now.
Unemployed graduates registered with various employment exchanges in the state are now entitled to a monthly unemployment dole of Rs 500. Yadav has also announced a cash award of Rs 20,000 to families with just one girl child.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has said farmers who did not get bonus because of the sale of their wheat to private traders will be paid this sum.
He announced a one-time settlement of agricultural loans of cooperative banks to all the farmers who have paid 100 per cent or more of their principal loan amount. The chief minister also announced that the state assembly would legislate to ensure reservation for Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs.
The budget unveiled by Uttaranchal Chief Minister ND Tiwari in March this year had no new taxes while the Goa government had earlier this year announced a insurance scheme for unorganised workers.
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