Birds of the same feather flock together

These days the gaps between my posts are increasing by GP (geometric progression). The items of interests are many and equally significant are the points in mind. But probably the laziness, domestication and professional pursuits are more dominant than the literary pursuit.

However, one topic which caught my amused attention is the current penchant of the privileged members of the society to shun the privileges. The biggest limelight seeker is the ongoing debate on austerity. The Govt has advised that the MPs should lead by example and hence shun public display of wealth. Whilst avoiding display is fine, what happens to the stashed away stuff, is a question no one is going to answer. Two of our ministers were staying in 5* hotel suites for more than a month and paying to the tune of Rs 1,00,000 per day. They clarified that they were staying on their own funds. But they probably has a huge stash of funds, though they get paid paltry amounts as MPs.

But what is interesting is the way the entire political spectrum has come together to protest against the Govt request. There are raging debates on the news channels. There are news pieces all over the media regarding how the political leaders are taking austere measures / against austerity measures.

But the most interesting is the kind of stupid logic that the opposition politicians, including the Communists, are putting forth justifying there travelling first class by air. This reminds me of an old saying in bengali about the communists. It is said "nenin nebu kheto na" (Lenin never used to have lemons). The reason was that Lemons were an expensive fruit in USSR. But it is said that he used to wear dresses made from the best and most expensive fabric and imported from Europe. This was a satirical take on the hypocrisy of the Communists. The current debate and the logic is similar.

I was watching a debate on this issue on one of the leading english news channels of the country, the other day. Mr Gurudas Dasgupta, a CPIM MP, said on TV "We are not dictated by the Govt. We are under the orders of the Speaker. Hence, Govt dictums are not worth enough." The BJP MP, Rajiv Rudy, on the same debate was talking such gibberish logic, I could not comprehend what he was saying. And the Congress MP, Manish Tewari, contended that if the compere gets him permission, he will hereafter travel in the cargo hold!!

But some of the nagging questions / issues in my head are:

1. Collateral expense (a la collateral damage): While travelling by economy is fine, what about the expense for security, vehicles, mass deployment of security personnel etc. Does anybody check the expense that these MPs and their cronies do on account of electricity, water and telephone? Does anybody check the amount of money spent on maintaining and redoing their plush bungalows in Lutyens Delhi? Not to mention their porpoerties in their constituency!
2. The other point that is poking me is more factual. In a study of the total expense, it has been found that the total expenditure on travelling is 0.01 - 0.02 % of the total expense. Probably the total travelling expense would be akin to that of a large corporation.
3. But why this sudden austerity in travelling only? Why is not being implemented as rule rather than an advisory for a year only?
4. Why are we not curbing on the unnecessary security apparatus that is used for guarding people like Mulayam Singh and Behenji Mayawati?
5. What are we doing to curb expenses on the fleet of vehicles that is used by Govt babus and in many cases smoothly diverted to use by family and spouses? The maintenance of such vehicles and the fuel expense would be pretty significant.

These are all patchwork solutions and probably gimmicks! As someone said "these are all but band-aid solutions". Nevertheless, lets enjoy the hypocritical debate and the news items. We are being fed items on how Rahul Gandhi refused special cutlery onboard the Shatabdi express and how Sonia Gandhi flew economy, how the External Affairs minister is travelling by commercial flight and spending 4-6 hrs more in transit. We also now know that some miscreants pelted stones at the train Rahul gandhi was travelling in and it hit coaces C4, C5, C6. But Rahul was in coach C3!!!

What a circus! Am I sounding cynical ...... let me know.