The need of the hour is giving the thrust to saving public money. It can be done by indulging in austerity drive. By austerity drive we do not mean reducing all forms of help extended to the poor and needy people. Austerity drive should cover only the Ministers, MLAs and the top level bureaucrats. Common masses desire to see people’s representatives mingling with common men. But on the contrary they behave as if they are above all. As they keep themselves away from the masses they forget their own duty thus betraying the trust the people put on them. They compete in owning latest model suv vehicles despite knowing the fact that the common masses feel the delightment of seeing them travelling by simple model car. These unhealthy competitions among the higher echelons of the society have permeated across the state mindboggling ailment instigating youngsters to compete in the possession of something beyond their means. Hence the call for austerity drive. When Rahul Gandhi came to Manipur and also when he delivered speech he focussed on the ever widening gulf of difference between the common masses and the elected representatives. He was also of the view that thrust should be given to austerity drive. State Government expenditure can be reduced. Security personnel allotted to bureaucrats and elected representatives need to be reduced. Because these security personnel are being used as show piece. Where lies the necessity for pilot vehicle and a follow up team while they are going in the heart of town. Our assumption is these top class people will not be attacked while travelling in Imphal. Moreover security guards allotted to the class of people mentioned above will be handicapped to use the fire power while travelling in the crowded area. Heavy security cover has become public eye sore. They are not necessary. Town areas are safe for all including VVIPs. If the number of security cover is reduced the number of vehicles used by Ministers too will be reduced that naturally will mean reduction of oil consumption. Frankly speaking security cover is cosmetic. Amazingly even the middle ranked officers have started moving with security personnel. They carry them when they move for purpose not connected with official duty. Public money spent in providing security cover to such officials is wastage of money. All these security cover have made inroad into the simplicity of the persons getting security cover. Simplicity has vanished. Austerity drive should cover the office rooms of the Ministers. Remove all the cosy sofas and place in its place plastic chairs. A visitor does not come to the office of the Minister to enjoy the pleasure of sitting on the soft and spongy sofa but to seek his attention to the problems facing his locality or other matter of personal interest. The MLAs and Ministers must know that the quarter allotted to them is not for life time. White washing can be done. That is a different thing. Some MLAs, who redesigned the quarter by adding new rooms lost in the recent elections. They will never be able to retain the same quarter again. But they wasted public money with their thoughtless action. Austerity drive will enhance image of the Government.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/manipur-needs-austerity-drive/
