Austerity Pledge: A Step in the Right Direction!

Guys, if you ve been followin Indian Politics recently, I m quite sure you would have come across the news about UPA ministers’ Austerity Pledge!! Many have been criticizin it as merely a popularity gaining gimmick in the eyes of the “Aam Admi” ahead of the assembly elections comin up in several important states includin Maharashtra. The UPA Govt. actually went quite seriously about it by asking SM Krishna and Shashi Tharoor to vacate the luxurious Hotels they were livin in New Delhi due to the reconstruction and renovation work takin place at their home. And they had no option but to oblige immediately and shift to the guest houses alloted to them.

But our Agriculture Minister and BCCI Chairman, Sharad Pawar had other views. He complained that pledgin austerity may delay the rate of their work. He cited excuses like travellin in economy class,due to congestion, they won be able to work freely and would be disturbed by the so called “Aam Admi” or(Mango man as in Love Aj Kal) and may decrease their work efficiency. The irony bein that their intention is to woo the same “Mango Man”. So, what actually is UPA tryin to do? M too amateur to know the politics of all this, but what I do know is that it’s a really significant step and needs to be taken very seriously and if it is done so, m sure it ll have far-reachin effects in the future.


With Indian Economy not growin at the projected 9% due to the slowdown and risin inflation, “Austerity Pledge” may play a very crucial role in savin valuable Govt money. Pranab Mukherjee has already taken the pledge and has been flyin in the economy class and that too of Air India bein India’s national carrier. But, what amuses me is will savin only on travellin expenses fulfil their pledges?? They have to go about the pledge in a very systematic manner. The VVIP’s got to cut down on every possible thing and not only travellin expenses. True, travellin expenses constitute about 75% of the total expenses, accordin to a survey, but there are other things in which they can cut down on.


Surely, the pledge if taken in a right manner ll help India in some way and it is a very thoughtful move taken by the UPA. Whether it is jus to woo the “Mango Man” or not,still remains to be seen but atleast the thought of it is commendable. Had this pledge be taken durin the Nehru’s era, who was accused of wastin a lot of precious public money in petty things like clothin and roses, India could ve been a different country by now.