An antidote to recession

In the interest of giving a fillip to the economy, the government should consider the idea of holding general elections every two years.

Besides countering the anti-incumbency factor by making each term barely longer than the usual honeymoon period, they could also think of the entire election process and campaign as a variant of NREG scheme, guaranteeing a minimum of 90 days of employment to people across India.

There is the poster and banner making industry, not to mention election merchandise like pennants, badges, caps, anga-vastrams. There are tentwallahs and microphone-wallahs, all manner of car and taxi owners, not to mention private jet and helicopter owners who see a spurt in business during that time.

Print and electronic media get a fresh flush of election-related advertising to tide over lean times, advertising professionals make a killing by helping out with election campaign films and ditties, and even out-of-work stand up comedians find employment as ���crowd warmers��� at election meetings.

Security guards, bulk food suppliers, cooks and cleaners to rustle up meals at rallies for restive crowds and ���seasonal��� party workers all benefit from the hubbub.

The need for rooms for campaign offices in various parts of every constituency, the staff to man them, furniture and communication equipment also spells opportunity for landlords, furniturewallahs and electronics store owners.

With the Election Commission getting more and more vigilant about violations of the code of conduct, there is plenty of opportunity for videographers and photographers to loan their services as cameras-on-hire, either for government agencies or for pernickety rivals.

Naturally all the various types of technicians who process such tapes, not to mention the CD makers will also see a rise in demand.

Around Rs 10,000 crore is said to be up for grabs to be injected into the economy for the elections. That may be just about half of the NREGA outlay, but surely still enough to be considered as a bi-annual booster-shot?