Congress' austerity drive is meaningless

A newspaper reported that one cabinet minister SM Krishna and his junior minister Shashi Tharoor were living in five star hotels. Congress high command that is promoting her slogan 'congress ka hath, aam aadmi ke sath' felt embarrassed to learn this (It is surprising that they did not know this for last 100 days until it was reported in media). Quickly, finance minister ordered them to vacate their five star life and stay in their respective state houses. Mr. Shashi Tharoor gave argument that the state house in the capital does not provide privacy and gym so he can not live there. Both of the ministers also argued that they were paying from their pocket for their luxurious life in hotels. It went unheard by the party high command.

Party took extreme steps and has asked all the minister to travel by economy class and let their 20% salary go to public fund. Both these measures are laughable. At the first place when the ministers or even MPs are allowed by the law (compensation approved by parliament) to travel first class in the train then why should they travel economy class? Second, will this really save any significant money for the exchequer? A large expense on the minister is their security. mayawati is using over 300 policemen round the clock for her security. Every minister carries a number of security cars and ambulance with their convoy wherever they go. It is also reported when Sonia Gandhi travelled economy class then a number of seated were kept vacant around her. This adds to the cost anyway. Where is the real saving? On top of this it creates more inconvenience for the common men. I will be afraid to travel from a station where a big politician is supposed to travel from. It is risky and also police will be too alert and check everyone and too much. Common men will not be allowed to walk freely. All in the name of security measures.

MPs do not have very high (direct) salaries in India. When the Congress party ask for 20% from their salary (will be less than Rs. 10,000) it is meager amount in comparison to total expenses on them. MPs or minister earns bigger amount by passing the contracts for their loyal people and relatives. That is where they earn multi-millions. Common people do not need to see what these leaders are doing in Delhi. They know their local MPs better. Forget about MP. If one becomes MLA then s/he become rich enough in five years. They have their new businesses and bigger houses. What can MP do (earn) it any one's guess. Except a few (like Mamta Benerjee and Narendra Modi), it is hard to believe from their lifestyle that politicians are earning from legitimate sources only.

But it not the politicians only, people of India also wants to see their politicians and leaders to lead superior life than themselves. People expect they have to queue for hours and the rich and politician will go through quickly. People do not protest. They accept and expect this discrimination. No one but they themselves can help them.