Bureaucrats decide what freebies they should get when they are in service and after retirement. This leads to unjustified entitlements.
Air India survives on bail out money. Civil Aviation Ministry’s decision to grant free ticket upgrades and security passes and access to VIP lounges to former secretaries and their family members is an unjustified decision. The argument that it is a justifiable privilege considering the contribution made by secretaries is hollow. Secretaries are paid for their job and get pension after retirement. They did not do any favour or charity. Considering that Air India survives on bail out money if there is any contribution by secretaries it is in ruining the airline and turning airline’s profit into loss. It is another question whether our airports should have VIP lounges. In a democracy when all are equal how can anyone be a VIP?
Recently PMO objected to Civil Aviation Ministry’s decision. The possibility of bureaucrats in other ministries raising similar demands was a reason for objection. PMO should look into privileges enjoyed by present and former bureaucrats and the ministries should abolish freebies.
Our MPs want whatever bureaucrats get. The demand to raise salary of MP to Rs.80,001/- p.m. was because bureaucrats get Rs.80,000/- p.m. Bureaucrats were exempt from paying toll. MPs demanded that exemption and got it. MPs will demand every privilege given by every ministry to its present and former bureaucrats and cost for the country will be huge.