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| Govt. needs to emulate China in enforcing austerity measure | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, July 11: Since the successive State Governments in Jammu and Kashmir have been complaining of cash crunch and economic stringency, despite liberal financial assistance from the Central Government,the National Conference led Government needs to emulate Beijing which has announced strict austerity measures for its bureacracy.
Bureaucrats in China could be axed, fired or demoted in case they overspend on vehicles, public receptions, overseas trips or buy luxury items beyond the limits fixed by the Communist Government. These measures, called "frugal working style" are the outcome of Beijing's growing concern over economic slowndown China had been experiencing owing to drop in the demand for Chinese exports.
Reports indicate that by enforcing the new austerity measures for the bureaucrats Beijing may be able to check waste of several million dollars being spent by bureaucrats on their luxurious living.
And if the NC led Government enforced restrictions on the bureaucrats similar to the one being imposed in China, Jammu and Kashmir State may not have to bank on doles from the Centre. Yes, the Finance Minister,Abdul Rahim Rather,has been issuing certain austerity measures for officials and the Government departments during his annual budget exercises but he has not been in a position to enforce those measures in letter and spirit.
It is time for the well meaning Rather,who is considered to be No. two in the cabinet headed by Omar Abdullah,to focus his attention on Chinese ways for enforcing their austerity measures.
Rather needs to learn from the Chinese style of enforcing their decisions and laws.Any bureaucrat found violating the austerity measures announced by Beijing would either be fired or face demotion.This punishment can be awarded even to those bureaucrats who divert funds from one sector to the other and those who organise seminars in five star hotels where a large number of guests are fed lavishly.
There can be one major problem for Rather if he tries to emulate Beijing's style of enforcing austerity measures.What is that problem ?If Rather attempts at enforcing austerity measures among the bureaucrats it would mean 50 per cent bureaucrats may be fired and 20 per cent may be demoted.
Once it is done it would open floodgates of court cases.This may force the Government to remain engaged,physically,mentally and financially,with dozens of court cases filed by those bureaucrats who may be axed on charge of violating the austerity measures.
Will Rather in particular and Omar Abdullah in general dare to face such a situation? Possibly not when the two continue to feel embarrassed and harrassed by the prolonged agitation by the Government employees.
Why pick up bureaucrats only? Why not all the Members of the Council of Ministers headed by Omar Abdullah? If the purpose behind enforcing Chinese type austerity measures was to ensure fiscal discipline and added revenue the Government should include all the Ministers who have been found spending several hundred crores of rupees on fuel, telephone bills, electricity, renovation of their official bunglows, on travel and other allowances and perks.
If Rather wants the State Government to stop visiting New Delhi with a begging bowl after every three months he should,first of all,announce 50 per cent cut in allowances and perks for the Ministers and Legislators. |
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