That populism has its limits is becoming an observation that is increasingly repeated in the case of Punjab's financial status. The news that the subsidy-gobbling sasti roti scheme might be wound up means that the province's financial managers are finally realising the truth of this.
The scheme has cost a hefty Rs4.662m a day over the last 20 months or so. Incurring such staggering daily expenditure during a financial crunch is only possible if money meant for other schemes and development projects is slashed. The result has been as unsurprising as it is shocking. Punjab is issuing cheques to its development contractors that banks are refusing to honour. Development schemes in the province are either slowing down or simply closing down.
But Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif remains adamant. Against mounting expert advice to the contrary, he has vowed to continue and expand the sasti roti scheme. He champions it as a measure to provide relief to the common people. Experts suggest there are better ways to enable people to cope with inflation than a scheme marred by pilferage and urban bias. Anything that boosts economic activity and creates more job opportunities, they say, is a better alternative. The government should, therefore, invest more in development schemes rather than allow them to slow down or come to a halt because of the sasti roti scheme or other unhelpful subsidy measures.
Mr Sharif gets regular briefings on the topic. Yet he remains unwilling to revisit the scheme's consequences. His reluctance is rooted in the fact that populist measures are easy to kick off but almost impossible to shut down. They muddle along even when they are not economically necessary or financially viable because ending them risks the loss of popular support. If Mr Sharif with his reputation of being bold and daring is unable to take such a risk who else can?
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