The type of dwelling has been a key factor in deciding the distribution of Budget goodies. Perhaps the criteria should be fine-tuned to enhance equitability, and achieve maximum social benefit from the subsidies offered.

One principle of distribution equity is that those who have benefited more in the past should receive less in the future, so more can be given to those who received less in the past.

If we have a system that records, estimates or simulates all major subsidies and handouts exceeding $10,000 given to citizens in the past, say, 20 years, we would be able to determine who and which segment of the population received more subsidies than the rest, and by how much.

Some households enjoy as high as $88,000 in Housing Board subsidies, according to a simulation study disclosed by the Government. In addition, many HDB residents also receive handsome upgrading subsidies.

The education subsidy is also generous. Tuition subsidy for three years in a local university can amount to $50,000 or more, excluding scholarships and other assistance.

For a young, well-educated couple who have benefited from both the HDB subsidy and the university tuition subsidy, the two benefits they enjoyed could well reach $200,000 or more.

Conversely, another couple, who happen to be non-graduates and do not qualify to buy an HDB flat for whatever reason, are worse off than the first couple by $200,000 in subsidies received.

From this perspective, the Government could be a little more generous to the second couple when distributing Budget goodies and other assistance.

Likewise, it could also consider giving more incentives to graduates returning from overseas who have not benefited from university tuition subsidy here.

The same idea could be applied to newly naturalised citizens who have not enjoyed any education subsidy from the system. The gesture would help retain and attract more talent to Singapore.

Ng Ya Ken