GANDHINAGAR, Oct 4: The Keshubhai Patel Government has withdrawn the two-member staff - an assistant and a grade II stenographer - from the services of four former chief ministers. The decision, the government claims, is part of its austerity measures.However, the move is being seen as ``devoid of logic'', for it has been decided at the same time, to provide Rs 12,500 a month to each of the former chief minister to employ the staff on their own for the offices at their residences.
``Besides continuing to pay the wages to its two regular employees after having recalled them from the services of the four VVIPs, the Government will now allocate Rs 12,500 a month to each of the former chief minister, incurring additional burden of Rs 50,000 a month on the exchequer'', an observer said on Saturday.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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