Our MPs forget they are representatives of people and not their lords and masters. They demand privileges they do not deserve. Their demand for red beacons atop their cars in Delhi was rejected by Sonia Gandhi. Now comes the news that demand for special treatment of MPs made through House Committee of Lok Sabha is accepted by Air India and Airports Authority of India. A committee member said MPs are not even provided minimum basic facilities.
Air India is making loss and after spending thousands of crores of rupees to keep it going another 30,000 crore rupees will be spent in the coming years. Privileges for MPs will make Air India’s survival more difficult.
As per proposed protocol Airport managers are required to meet MPs when they come to the airport and provide them helpers till they enter the plane. While in plane air hostesses and stewards have to meet MPs and offer them compliments of the captain. After the plane departs the airport manager has to inform about MPs to the next airport manager who has to receive them and provide helpers. When the flight ends the commander has to file reports about MPs.
MPs should be treated like other passengers. What do they mean by minimum basic facilities? If they do not get something other passengers also do not get them. If they demand to be treated differently than other passengers they are demanding privileges and not minimum basic facilities.
Airport managers, airport employees and cabin crew have enough work and they should not be burdened with doing favours to MPs. AAI and Air India employees should protest against the protocol. There is talk of austerity. Most Indians travel long distance by train. Air travel for MPs should be disallowed and they should travel by train. MPs behave life nobility in France before French Revolution. If they do not improve a revolution with Reign of Terror and guillotine is possible in India.