By Gamini Abeywardane
Supplementary estimates presented in parliament to buy expensive duty free vehicles for ministers and state ministers amidst hardships caused to people by floods and the explosion in the Army’s central armoury sparked a lot of public antipathy and generated much public discussion on the subject. Despite public criticism most parliamentarians, irrespective of their political philosophies seem to be united when it comes to their own salaries and perks.
There seem
to be a point in what critics are saying. Simply, should we spend so much for
the comfort of our elected representatives who have come to serve us, when
people themselves are going through untold hardships? On the other hand, the
argument by the parliamentarians who justify their claim for better vehicles is
that given the amount of travelling and the terrains they have to pass through
such vehicles are not luxuries but essential facilities for performance of
their duties.
However, the
question that baffles most right thinking people is whether such expensive
brands of vehicles with option to change for new ones within relatively a short
period are absolutely necessary when country and people are going through hard
times and when its economy is not doing well. Aren’t these well maintained high
quality vehicles suitable to be used for longer periods?
The matter
becomes even worse when such high spending on luxury vehicles for
parliamentarians is proposed soon after jacking up the tax on motor vehicle
imports making it more difficult for ordinary people to purchase cars.
What is
happening in our country is quite different when compared to the situation in
India where politicians including the country’s President and Prime Minister
are seen using homemade Indian cars. Perhaps India being a larger country their
parliamentarians need to travel longer distances in order to serve their constituents.
Despite all that we have seen Indian leaders using Ambassador cars made in
their own country. Isn’t this quite in contrast to the extravagant lifestyles
of our parliamentarians?
We really do
not know whether the public criticism of the expenditure of parliamentarians
will make any real impact on what is going on. However, the public attention
received through the media should encourage the politicians to rethink on the
need to cut down whatever the expenses that can be cut down. Unless it is done,
we can never cut down the public sector expenditure or influence the public
servants to spend less. The example should be set by the politicians and the
leaders at the upper level.
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