Chapter 22: Ira's Bold Reforms for Kuntala Kingdom

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After everything that happened in the Kuntala Kingdom, Ira's status elevated even higher. It seemed impossible, but the people thought of the Princess as an even greater boon to their kingdom. Ira's thoughts about the welfare of the people brought new light to the Raj Sabha, influencing others to think similarly. The Raj Sabha allotted specific times for Ira to discuss these matters.

Ira seized this chance and began taking baby steps towards forming a modernized and independent society, starting with small but significant changes. She formed a separate group under the leadership of Meera, her head maid, who supported Ira's initiatives wholeheartedly, even if she didn't understand all the details. Meera became not just a servant but a friend and confidant to Ira, fulfilling every need. When Ira expressed her desire to form an all-women regiment, Meera, fuelled by her protectiveness over Ira, did not hesitate. This regiment comprised women who felt compelled to protect the Princess who fought for their welfare, even against her own family in the Raj Sabha. Ira became a cherished figure in every household, a family member to all.

As time passed, Ira, now six years old, gathered comprehensive information about the Raj Sabha members, including their family details, properties, roles, strengths, weaknesses, and integrity. With this knowledge, she felt ready to lay the foundation for significant changes. Entering the Raj Sabha, she waited for her allotted time and then addressed the assembly.

"Today, I will discuss a very important topic. I need all of you to think about what I am saying and share your opinions. If we follow this plan, our kingdom will become a pioneer for a great future."

Funds and Treasury

"Funds and treasury are vital for any kingdom. If our treasury is high, it's beneficial, but if low, it affects the grassroots the most. To improve and prevent misuse of public funds, here are some steps:

Budgeting:

Allocate funds for different ministries for the people's welfare for duration of one year.

Types of Funds:

Necessary Funds:

Track revenue sources, cover all Raj Sabha expenses, and ensure ministerial consent for withdrawals. Salaries for ministers and palace workers come from this.

Public Accounts:

Act as a banker for the people, allowing them to save money with the Raj Sabha and earn interest based on the deposit duration. Withdrawals occur only when the depositor requests.

Emergency Funds:

Cover unexpected expenses like natural disasters, released by the king with ministerial support.

We will form an Audit Group to ensure no corruption, accountable only to the king. If any discrepancies are found, personal assets of the offenders will be converted to public funds. The Audit Group members will be chosen based on their math skills, irrespective of caste, through an exam."

Agriculture Development

"We rely on rain-fed farming. To increase farmers' revenue year-round, we will:

Practice mixed farming (crops and livestock).

Implement crop rotation to balance soil minerals.

Adopt multiple agriculture (growing different crops together).

Set a minimum support price for major crops to avoid losses.

Build storage facilities to prevent contamination and provide food security.

Create ration shops for accessible food supplies.

Scrutinize trade to avoid native farmer losses and follow sustainability principles.

Regulate the purchase and sale of goods, prohibiting alcohol and drugs.

Invest in infrastructure like dams and roads."

Education

"Education should be available to all, regardless of caste. Everyone is equal before the law and should have equal opportunities to prove themselves. Talent and ability should determine one's role, not their background."

Defense and Security

"To ensure a stable and peaceful society, punishments must be strict to deter illegal activities. Establish secret complaint collection points for safety. Create a separate women's regiment under the control of the Maharani, Rani, Yuvarani, and Princess to protect women and handle offenders. The punishment for these offenders will be decided by the Maharani in the Raj Sabha."

"I urge the honourable Sabha to share their opinions on these matters. Your practical insights are valuable for implementing these ideas, and if there are objections, I will consider alternative solutions."

Ira awaited their response, completely oblivious to the storm she had set in the royal court.

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