Union government in its latest austerity-drive has announced some gimmick measures towards austerity including restriction on foreign-travels and purchase of new cars. But it should make it clear if such austerity-measures are for some limited period or till a time such restrictions are not liberalised through a likewise publicised government-notification. Most of the times, such restrictions are removed without being media-highlighted.
Also it should be ensured that move like ban on new cars may not be offset by hefty taxi-bills. Most importantly, considering wide-ranging criticism of President Pratibha Patil for misuse of post by expanding heavily on her foreign trips with her family members and friends enjoying luxury of these holiday trips with large fleet of personal and household staff, the Union government should clearly announce if the austerity move also covers a drastic cut in expenses of Presidential trips also which were till now unjustifiably defended by Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) by making a shameful comparison with US and Pakistan. Such luxury allowed to symbolic head of nation till now allowed in name of ‘convention’ must be with written rules defining ‘family members’ allowed to utilise government-facilities including foreign trips apart from a heavy cut in Rashtrapati Bhawan expenses including a sharp reduction in household and personal staff for President of India.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
Delhi