Political Diary

New Delhi, 14 June 2014

Mein  VIP Hoon, Tum Kaun?

HONEY, WE PAY FOR YOUR VANITY

By Poonam I Kaushish

Politics is the conduct of public affairs for private advantage. This adage rang true last week when some of our jan sevaks were caught with their hands in the till. And a few enjoying a sports extravaganza at the taxpayers’ expense. All cocking a snook at Prime Minister Modi’s espousal of simplicity, efficiency and good governance, thereby underscoring their five-star culture reality!

The issue is not the six MPs and ex-MPs abusing their privileges by putting in fake travel vouchers or six Goa MLAs going to Brazil to watch the FIFA matches with taxpayers footing their Rs 90 lakhs bill. It shows the mindset: Main VIP hoon, tum kaun? Which translates in to not only living life king-size but nauseatingly flaunting it. Showcasing their power via elaborate power trappings and freebies that go with it.

Undeniably, both issues have left a bitter taste in the aam aadmi’s mouth. Already grappling with sky-rocketing prices, shrinking budgets and rising unemployment, it raises several questions: Can our poor country afford expensive legislators? Whatever happened to democracy by the people, of the people, for the people?

Sadly, yesterday’s princes have been replaced by neo-Maharajas Ministers, and MPs who are afflicted by two diseases: Acute Orwellian disorder of “some are more equal than others” and Oliver’s disease, “always asking for more”.

Shockingly, our MPs cost the tax payer Rs.1.30 lakhs per month. Their monthly pay packet: Salary Rs 50,000, office expenses Rs 40,000, constituency allowance Rs 40,000, daily allowance Rs 2000, totaling Rs 1.30 lakh all tax free. Add to this sleek iPads or tablets, pension benefits of another Rs 20,000 per month and the MP Local Area Development Scheme of Rs 5 crore.

Indeed, if sobriety begins at home, should our netagan be living in tony Lutyens’ Delhi replete with seven-star bungalows? With manicured lawns, growing wheat and vegetables, free furniture, air-conditioners, fridges and maintenance to boot, down to a tube-light, all living like Burra Sahib! Costing the tax payer an extra Rs 60 crore annually.

Think. Each house could be sold to wealthy Indians between Rs200-Rs 350 crores, cut into 1000-2000 sq yards plots and auctioned to the highest bidder thereby netting the Government thousands of crores or rented out for Rs 25-50 lakhs monthly. Bad luck, the hoi polloi, packed like sardines live in tin boxes atop each other.

Pertinently, with each State boasting of 5-7star Bhawans in Lutyens Delhi with well-anointed rooms; TV, phone, WiFi et al it would be less of a tax burden if our jan sevaks reside there during Parliament’s session and when they come to attend standing committee meetings. Alternatively, they could rent an apartment or house at their own expense like legislators worldwide. Thereby saving the Government some money.

It doesn’t end just there. Each MP is entitled to free water upto 4000 kl per annum and electricity upto 50,000 units. Beside, Rs 30,000 of furniture, 1,50,000 local calls for 3 telephones and 50,000 free local calls during a year for  Internet. Down to washing of sofa covers and curtains every three months! As also a guard. Do our jan sevaks need a sepoy to protect them from their janata they profess to serve? All paid by the aam aadmi who continue to grovel outside soliciting a favour from their undata.

Not only that. Every MP can avail 34 air journeys business class during a year with spouse/companion. Alongside, two air-conditioned executive class train passes which entitles the MP/companion to travel anywhere in India.  Further, he gets an Rs 4 lakh interest-free loan for buying a personal vehicle.

More. While travelling they demand high quality handling, read Maharaja treatment: Starting from Airport manager to “meet” MP, accommodate in lounge, escort to plane and cabin crew to offer “compliments of the Captain”. Manager to “monitor”, “liaise” and “ensure” flight operates on schedule, inform counterpart of MP’s seat number, baggage location and “special requirement at destination”.

On arrival, manager to receive MP at arrival gate, escort to immigration, baggage claim, customs et al. Notwithstanding, they don’t deserve this extra importance. All at our expense.

Scandalously, why and for what do our netagan need fancy pay-packets, perks galore and free travel? As also pensions once they demit public office? Considering that there is no jan seva involved that needs monetary compensation? Think each MP cost the tax payer Rs 2.12 lakhs per month and an ex-MP Rs 50,000 at least.

The moot point: Haven’t we had enough? Do they actually deserve this extra importance? Considering, most netas barely discharge their responsibilities honestly and honourably? Whatever happened to democracy by the people, of the people, for the people?

Alas, over the years we have become used to the ‘more equals’ playing havoc with the people and getting away with it. Wherein there is a wide chasm between the aam aadmi and our khaas aadmis. Leading to increasing frustration, disconnect and contempt for the leaders which results in defiance by people at large.

The tragedy is that even as the country saunters into the 21st century for our ruling neo maharajas the vestige of 19th century India still lingers on. Of which ‘follow-no-rules’ is a fundamental part instead rule by law. No IDs’, no frisking and long queues, cars jumping red lights etc to exhibit their ‘power’ might. God forbid, if anyone questions their misdemeanor be prepared for open fury.

What is required is a drastic pruning. Modi needs to cry a halt to all the financial pampering and perks to our legislators, make their incomes and salaries taxable and stop pensions to former legislators, which they don’t deserve. Isn’t it ridiculous that we are paying Rs 6 lakh per month to keep an ex-Minister “in coma” alive, in a private hospital, as his ex-MP wife refuses to take him home.  

For starters our netas should follow the Japanese and French example were MPs salaries are fixed in relation to the salaries of the highest paid bureaucrats. In Germany, MPs get remuneration adequate to ensure their independence. In UK the Review Body on Senior Salaries advises the Prime Minister on the pay and pension of MPs, Ministers, judges, defence personnel and senior civil service officers. In Switzerland MPs do not get any salary or allowance; they just get paid leave from their employers on the days of Parliament’s session.

Questionably, why should not our Right Honourables emulate the example of their Swiss counterparts? They may not be employed, but most of them being crorepatis really do not need a job. Besides, since “conflict of interest” is a non-existent concept, our MPs, unlike their American counterparts who cannot earn beyond 15% outside Congress, have no limit to their earnings from all sources, as the scandal over the Office of Profit showed.

For our democracy to enter the next level of maturity we need to rethink the entire gamut of privileges and freebies. Clearly the time has come for our polity to realize that any increase in privileges is co-terminus with an increase in accountability.

Importantly, our Right Honourables need to recognize that they must deserve before they can desire. The bottom line: Stop fawning, shed the colonial hangover, callousness and make no compromises with our Right Honourables. It remains to be seen whether our polity will continue to live life Maharaja-size and reduce hum-toh-janata-ke-sevak-hain to mere tokenism? ---- INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)