Nothing in life is truly free, and the phrase There ain't no such thing as a free lunch – often abbreviated as TANSTAAFL – emphasises this idea. Even things that appear to be free have a price.
In economics, TANSTAAFL is largely deciphered in the light of opportunity costs. Opportunity costs in lay language can be understood in a context where, in every decision we make, there is another alternative which is not considered but would have also produced some value or usefulness.
The reach and scope of TANSTAAFL’s influences are infinite. Even in our daily lives, the idea of TANSTAAFL can play a key role in making informed choices by taking into account both direct and indirect costs.
I connect the idea of TANSTAAFL with the recent public outcry generated by the news of charging Nu 10 per person for entering and exiting the pedestrian terminal. While some citizens endorsed the idea, others remain opposed to being obliged to pay the user fee. There is also a faction of people who derided such government undertakings in social media. However, the good thing is that the people who transit through the pedestrian terminal desire a system that handles user fees in a transparent approach. Currently, there is no receipt of payment being done.
This is one of the potential reasons why, even after operating the system of levying the user fee, we can still hear the undying public outrage loudly.
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| Pedestrian Terminal in Phuentsholing: Image Source Click the image |
Why Public Outcry
We have been conditioned to receive everything for free or at affordable prices from the government, which is one of the main triggers of the recent drama regarding the levying of user fees for using the pedestrian terminal. For instance, we already have free healthcare and education. Still, at one time, there was a rush to convert schools in our locality to central schools because, in central schools, everything was provided free by the government. Nobody, not even the affluent, powerful and financially capable, was ever reluctant or shy away from reaping the benefits and advantages of getting free from the government. We are still living with this tumour of mentality that prevents us from contributing even a small part of our effort, in this case, to use government-installed facilities for our own advantage. We feel the real pinch when we are paying for it out of our pockets. But on the other hand, we do not mind spending Nu 20 for 4 pieces of imported doma products or at worst, one million for one decimal of land in Thimphu. Who cares?
The user fees paid for using the pedestrian terminal is only a nominal fee of Ngultrum 10. Although the recent public outcry is not exclusively about the amount of the user fee, it is about the installation of a transparent system that manages the money collected as a user fee. I concur with the individuals who have voiced this because they have every right to be concerned about how their hard-earned money is spent. According to the media, people are least bothered to pay the user fee that is levied for the purpose of facility operation and sustenance. All that they desire is a regulated system that can methodically oversee the funds that are amassed from them. By raising awareness among the relevant stakeholders about the vulnerabilities and risks in the current fee collection practice, the general public is making a useful noise. Even if the money is not currently being mismanaged, the hands handling it may likely get dirtied.
The recent outrage also serves as a litmus test for the relevant organisations and stakeholders to maintain the public's faith in their ability to acknowledge and welcome their constructive criticisms. The degree to which people are confident that this system will function as intended will depend on whether implementing agencies execute it in conformity with public favour or do away with it. Valuing the voice of the public can certainly influence initiating similar initiatives because, in the end, it is the public who will use the service.
Why Pedestrian Terminal?
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic it has offered us multiple valuable lessons on how to survive collectively as a nation. When borders were sealed, imports were banned, GDP plummeted low and reliable donors dwindled, but adverse situations loomed in the society, we eventually learned to seriously put an effort for our survival.
We are gradually self-actualising that many things need to be in order and function systematically for a nation to survive. One critical challenge that faces Bhutan is a porous border that is increasingly posing a threat due to the rising number of smugglers. We heard adequate reports of people smuggling goods even during the lockdown period of COVID-19. With the pedestrian terminal that can control the movement of people from one point, it will also serve to systematise things - although it might take some time and pose inconveniences in the beginning.
With the pedestrian terminal, unlawful behaviours taking place across the borders can be kept at bay. Imported goods can be taxed fairly. Immigration laws can be applied more professionally and methodically.
Overall, a modest thing like the pedestrian terminal can be a useful strategy for securing economic and security independence for a small kingdom like ours that does not depend on and has a standing military to safeguard the sovereignty of the state.
Digital Payment
The installation of the pedestrian terminal has been met with public praise. All we need to do is arrange the elements so that the system functions properly. The public’s prime concern is having a transparent system for collecting the user fee. One approach to do this is by installing a Digital Payment system.
Although installing digital payment or Electronic Payment Systems (EPS) may come with a price, they are revolutionary in the way they make consumers’ lives more convenient and comfortable. EPS need not require the consumers to bring the exact amount as announced because it accepts even smaller amounts or denominations. Cash can be electronically transferred in a snap at the same spot. This will lessen the volume of people who queue to use the service and shorten their waiting time. Ultimately, there can be only a sizable crowd at the terminal.
With EPS, the payment receipt can be generated automatically – which can be used as a ticket for both travellers and people on duty to assess user activity. EPS is robust and secure because people do not need to handle cash. The cash can be directly transferred to a specific account maintained by the government. When the world is going cashless, it is reasonable for us to dream of having a facility that can transmit money electronically.
Even if the installation of the EPS is expensive, the government must begin investing in it. Phuentsholing is the largest commercial hub in Bhutan, and more than thousands of people transact through the gate. More people moving also means that fund generation is possible and the investment made to purchase the machine can be easily acquired besides sustaining the facilities. Other relevant measures to enable quick electronic money transfers will ensue when the government operationalises such programmes. For instance, the banks in the country can implement to offer such service to enable electronic payments by debit, credit, or any other charge cards. The present payment system through mBoB (Bank of Bhutan), MPay (Bhutan National Bank), TPay (Tashi Bank), BDBL, and Druk PNB is incredibly slow and occasionally unstable even though it is still developing.
EPS will be a clean procedure above all else. No one gets to touch money. Even if a person is not tempted to misuse the money all alone with the current practice of collection, we can never be certain whether they would do it by colluding with other people. Money is often the drive behind persons attracted to corrupt behaviour. It is only prudent to find solutions to prevent such problems from happening in the first place. A cashless culture can contribute to the fight against corruption, and we may start hearing fewer stories of embezzlement, misuse of funds, and fraud which has unfortunately turned epidemic even within our fragile economy.
Another virtue of electronic transfer is the direct deposit of money into the government account. No further effort or hiring of a person is required to deposit the money if EPS is used. When the cash is timely deposited, it will help in generating and accumulating interest.
When such facilities are instituted, our population will undoubtedly use them. For instance, despite the late adoption of mobile and internet services in Bhutan, even the older generations today can adapt to emerging technologies (e.g., using social media to attend religious discourse). This is amazing because it shows how quickly our people can adjust to both technology and time. All that matters is the facilities we provide to them. With such a modest beginning, there is a scope to proliferate a technology-driven economy. People will start using services that are reliable, easy, and very fast. Nowadays, people search for methods that complete tasks more quickly when they need any services. There is literally no time for anyone to wait so long for simple tasks that may be completed quickly elsewhere.
Revisiting the Royal Visions
As citizens, it is our fundamental duty to assist the government in any way so that we can continue to exist as a nation. It is time that we reflect on the following passages from His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk's coronation speech, which he addressed in 1972 at the age of just 16:
“As far as you, my people are concerned, you should not adopt the attitude that whatever is required to be done for your welfare will be done entirely by the government. On the contrary, a little effort on your part will be much more effective than a great deal of effort on the part of the government. If the government and people can join hands and work with determination, our people will achieve prosperity and our nation will become strong and stable…If every one of us considers ourselves Bhutanese, and think and act as one, and if we have faith in the triple gem, our glorious kingdom of Bhutan will grow from strength to strength and achieve prosperity, peace, and happiness” (Emphasis added).
