The UPA government’s austerity drive can, at best, be described as a political gimmick. By choosing to fly economy class and travel by train, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi — enjoying SPG cover — end up putting a lot of strain on the security personnel. This will lead to increased government spending on their security, which is much more than a few thousands they save on their travel. If, instead, our leaders can shun their paraphernalia during their travel, reduce the number of trips home during weekends and downgrade their security, which is more of a status symbol than necessity for many, a lot of money can be saved. The government should also do everything under its control to vacate leaders overstaying in its bungalows.
N. Ramakrishnan,
Chennai
The newfound love for austerity among Ministers and other Congress MPs is surprising. The Left is right in saying that instead of resorting to such piecemeal austerity measures, the UPA government should fix targets to cut down non-plan expenditure. The aam aadmi is not amused by such tokenism. Institutional measures such as curbing the menace of corruption and increasing the accountability of public servants are the need of the hour.
Viraj Deshpande,
Thane
The media attention the Congress leaders are enjoying for travelling economy class is not amusing. The cost they save is negligible and the trouble they cause the common man is enormous. Will the drought conditions ease if they travel by a lower class? The media attention they get reaches only the educated masses. But the majority, which has no access to media reports, is still waiting for the Centre to combat drought and control the spiralling prices.
K.R. Anandagopalan,
Bangalore
We are living in a world where leaders are vulnerable to threats. When they travel with ordinary citizens, they bring more pressure on the security apparatus and, at the same time, make the citizens also vulnerable to attacks.
Mathew Koshy,
New Delhi
I don’t want to accuse or comment on Rahul Gandhi’s train journey. But, as expected, it resulted in security panic and inconvenience to other passengers. Such actions are political stunts meant to hoodwink people. Instead of indulging in such gimmicks, the Congress can concentrate on welfare schemes. It pains me when I find our present-day Congress leaders imitating Gulzarilal Nanda, Kamaraj and Kakkan.
D. Rajkumar,
Madurai
More than the political class, it is the babus who will feel the pinch of the austerity drive. Forget business class, many will not get to travel at all with the ministerial entourage.
Christopher Antony,
Mumbai
The austerity drive seems to have gained momentum with the number of followers increasing. To be more austere, politicians should refrain from attending inaugural functions, foundation stone laying ceremonies and other worthless exercises. They should realise the value of the citizens’ hard-earned money.
Ippili Santhosh Kumar,
Srikakulam
Our leaders should travel by train to save taxpayers’ money. Of course, they should be allowed to take their securitymen along with them on board. But they would do well to bear in mind that the common man has been travelling without proper security on trains, surviving on stale food and has yet emerged unscathed. It is indeed time our austere Ministers/MPs start travelling by an organisation that serves customers “With a Smile” (motto of Indian Railways) and set an example to others.
Varun Dambalkar,
Bangalore
I would like to appreciate the slow but steady improvement taking place around us. First it was the Election Commission which did what was once thought impossible. Then came the Right to Information Act. The judiciary became increasingly proactive and even people in high places were hauled up — unthinkable till a few years ago. Now we see the well-timed austerity measures. I believe that the changes taking place are real.
N. Ramani,
Chennai
The criticism of the austerity measures is exaggerated. If our MPs go about their lives as usual, we make a huge noise about their lavish lifestyles. When they try to cut down their expenses, we pooh-pooh their actions. When leaders switch their style of functioning, we should take it in the right spirit and emulate them. Is not Tamil Nadu Congress leader Kakkan still remembered for his simplicity and praised by all for his travel by town bus?
V. Pandy,
Tuticorin
