It is indeed very strange that the Goa Government should have thought of revising the perquisites of the CM, Speaker and some other officials, exactly at a time when the world, including our country, is facing one of the worst crisis of its history. I do not mind congratulating the Government for its share of success in keeping the Covid19 cases at near zero, though it has been more of God’s blessings than any expertise or caution on the part of the Govt. There is in fact, much to be said, about the blunders committed, but I will refrain from doing so.
However, it surely amounts to high level of insensitivity to even think of revising upwards the cost of vehicles which can be acquired by Government officials, including none other than the Chief Minister himself. When the entire country is reeling under tremendous economic pressure and our State itself is in dire financial stress with borrowings touching almost 20000 crores, such perks are not only uncalled for but are simply senseless and atrocious. This is the time for extreme austerity and a Government which claims to be for the people, must think of ways and means of helping the thousands who will be on the roads, due to absence of wages, loss of jobs, pay cuts, etc. In fact, our Ministers, MLAs and top Govt officials earning more than Rs 100,000 a month must undergo a salary cut for a year to enable the Govt to aid the poor farmers, daily wage earners, labourers and all marginalised sections of the society. There should be severe cuts on foreign and even inland air travel, on petrol entitlement and other amenities.
This is an issue that needs to be addressed by the Prime Minister himself and the States Chief Ministers. They need to set the example, if they are really interested in people’s lives and livelihoods. It is perhaps beyond anyone’s imagination what the world will have to go through after the pandemic ceases, with millions being out of jobs and a crash of economy worldwide. India, which already faces a severe economic crisis, is bound to be among the worst hit, not alone because of its teeming millions but also because of its distressing unemployment scenario.
The Government in Goa has been unable to feed the poor and the men on the streets and these had to depend on voluntary and charitable organisations for the purpose. With restaurants closed and the impossibility of earning daily wages, they are left to fend for themselves. Fortunately, there are humane people in abundance in our State and elsewhere too in our country – people who put others before themselves. We need to salute such selfless people. A responsible Government cannot ignore these realities. It must stop behaving in a manner which raises serious doubts about its sincerity in truly serving the people. This extravagance must be reversed and without any delay before people can start reacting very adversely to this insensitive monstrousity.
