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These included two Ministers from the Congress, Kamal Nath and Anand Sharma, who wanted the government to allow ministers to travel First Class on international flights — new measures permit only Business Class on international and Economy on domestic flights. But at the end of an extensive discussion on the issue, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee prevailed, ruling out any rethink.
The issue came up for an impromptu discussion shortly after the Cabinet approved a hike in the Dearness Allowance for Central government employees. In the backdrop of the controversy over The Indian Express report about External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his deputy Shashi Tharoor staying in five-star hotels, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar sought a clarification whether lunches and dinners for foreign delegations should not be organised in five-star hotels.
Mukherjee was quick to clarify that foreign dignitaries should be hosted “appropriately” but five-star hotels as venues should be avoided in case of meetings and conferences of government departments and ministries.
Farooq Abdullah, New and Renewable Energy Minister, questioned the rationale for austerity measures, arguing that he was a “tall man and could not travel Economy Class in flights.” There were smiles all around as suggestions came that there could be a separate set of austerity measures for taller men, said sources.
The discussion took a serious turn as Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran raised objections to some ministers availing of their entitlement to fly special aircraft. It was fine for the Prime Minister to fly by special aircraft but other ministers entitled to it — Home, Finance, Defence and External Affairs — should travel in commercial airlines, said Maran.
Commerce & Industries Minister Anand Sharma was learnt to have asked why ministers could not travel First Class. He argued that on foreign visits, Ministers needed to be “fresh” as they have meetings scheduled barely an hour after landing, said sources. He also pointed out that during Kargil, $25 had been deducted from the daily allowance of ministers on such visits but it was yet to be restored. Road Transport & Highways Minister Kamal Nath also seconded Sharma’s plea to allow ministers to travel in First Class during foreign visits, said sources.
Mukherjee was said to be visibly upset as he rejected his colleagues’ arguments, saying that these were unusual times and austerity measures were for one year only. The Finance Minister reminded his junior colleagues that even gold had to be mortgaged by the country in the past. These are tough times, said Mukherjee, asserting that the austerity measures would continue. Krishna remained silent right through the discussion.


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The majority of the ministers are not only lithargic but also incompetent.Was the PM suppose to evaluate the performance of the ministers after 100 days?Get ready for total social unrest.People are sick and tired of the most of tme ministers.
Its a real futility to talk about the austerity being accepted reluctantly by the ministers.It is their prime duty to serve for their country harrased by poverty at every next road.And for sure this cannot be served by staying in star hotels for quarters of a year by any of the minister.Saying that the bills are done with the minister's own pocket would ensure fooling the people around because there is no clarification ever shown to the public.And if its being paid by the ministers themselves then what is the source of their income to foot bills in the range 1 lakh per night!!!
As if their loot of the country left, right, and center by makinf crores at public cost is not enough, these fellows, continue to exploit their positions further. Anyone would know that Business Class is quite comfortable even for 'tall' people. Omar is not at all 'tall' bu international standards on whom airlines design their seats. I wish Omar had high thoughts and not just height. And what more can one expect from Omar who has a family tradition of looting public! In fact, even otherwise, it makes sense that these frequent flyers use Business Class. As for entertaining foreign visitors, I recall that our army chief was treated to a Five Pound business lunch while visiting his British counterpart. There is nothing wrong in making it a practice to not waste public money here, too. But our ministers have become too shameless to be reformed by words or public denouncements: they will continue to hog and devour every single bit they find. Disgusting.
The Congress leaders have been constrained to recollect the days of Indira Gandhi the Great. And may be fearing an emergency even which may worsen the situation.
We must be joking if we expect politicians spend millions on goondas will become a "Mahatma Gandhi" after becoming a MP. Indian mentality centres around our 4 walls and at times around our relatives. That's why we clean our house and throw the garbage just outside our house. That's why we worry sick about our ageing parents but won't care if an old man is dying on the streets. Politicians are just a reflection of us.
It is good atleast now the goct realsies the need for austerity by ministers. But it should be complete. Just by wearing dhoties and using Ambassadro cars austerity is not achieved. There should be limit to the week end trips bythe central minsiters to their states. All TN minsiters spend their week ends in Chenni. For flimsy reasons like openinng roadside shop and attending some petty function they waste public money. Further no minister with more than one wife should be appointed. They evade action as their legal wife does not object. But ultimately only public money is spent as as result. We in Tamilnadu can not escape from this burden as every minister, led by thier leder,has more than one family . Incoriglble lot. No govt function should be held in star hotels. But as every other pronouncement, this too is only going to be a farcical hype by this UPA which itself is a folly and it has just acted opposite to what it proclaims. We all know about repatriation our money in swiss.
Instead of agreeing to pay cuts or cuts in their allowances all these ministers should agree to cut in their pay offs(kick backs).That would help country tremendously.These parasites live off the blood of the country.For Heaven's sake please stop fooling people
What is the use of these scoundrels flying to foreign countries 1st class? These fellows fly outside India to invest in properties and settle their offsprings. They are not travelling overseas to represent their people at all!!! Most of them want to fly 1st and buisiness class to stay away from the economy class people, it does not matter nobody cares for them in international flights may be some suckups who want some favours, otherwise these people without morals are not respected in developed countries. Tax payer poll should decide How they should Fly? not debate in the parliament because each of them will try to save the others back so he does not loose his luxury! so debate something constructive and don't waste time STOP BULLSHITTING Dear Politicians!!!!!
The Ministers have probably forgotten that they were elected to Parliament by the aam aadmis who have never been to five star hotels, or used a gym or had to look fresh after flight. Mr. Pawar has been elected from Maharahtra with the highest record of farmer suicide. Excellent entertainment can be provided to foreign guests even outside five star hotels.What are the state guest houses for? A time has come when India should get rid of all these parasites who are sustaining themselves on the aam aadmi
After swallowing 900 rats congress is going for Haj and what a coincidence to go to Haj there is also subsidiary. What a luck!!!
Nehru's life style was equally lavish, and the trend was set, for him drinking water was brought from “Chasme Shahi” in Kashmir while 80% of population had no drinking water. Politics is a full time profession, earlier we had Rajas but now we have Ministers. Only nomenclature has changed not life style. Late Chandrashekhar constructed a palatial bungalow at Bhondsi and named it Ashram. He was a socialist. I can not say about life style IAS but IFS personal working in foreign missions live better than their counter parts from Europe and US. Do they give any better image of India by their life styles? Double speak, Gandhi Cap and Khaddar cover the thick skin of our politicians not their soul. They have not come for service to country but for the welfare of self and family. Ganga flows from Gangotri to Indian Ocean and not vice versa - if top will be clean IAS and IFS too will learn austerity - and then corruption will vanish down the line. Start operation at Gangotri to clean Ganga.
All this talk of the so called austerity is for Public Consumption only and only a hogwash. Our New Kings and Queens will continue to squander away our hard earned money with impunity and contempt. They will ensure that their comfort is not disturbed. Afterall we have given them the mandate to waste our monies and waste. How about the wastage undertaken by BUREAUCRATS.
All elected representatives should at all times remeber that public money is to be primarily spent on public welfare and social measures and not for indulging in luxury whether on air or ground. Any such misuse of taxpayers' money is tantamount to pilferage and loot. Whoever does it should be branded as a criminal and dealt with accordingly. Judiciary should come down heavily on him/her.
This sermon to be Austere is nothing but a fraudcommitted by ministers and other politicians at the time when country is feeling the pinch of meltdown, deterioration in economy and poor people facing the onslaught of soaring prices and draught. Why austere now, were the congress ministers and high command was blid for last 100 days? Perhaps this stunt is to fool the people to fetch votes in 3 states going for elections. "Nau so Chuuha Khah k Billee Haj ko challi".