Earning well the pays, perks and privileges

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THE salaries and other monetary benefits of the President, the Prime Minister, Ministers and MPs have been raised by some 83 per cent or come nearer to doubling. This was done by moving and passing a bill in the last session of parliament which was possibly the only notable act on the part of that body in its last session. Indecent behaviour and hurling abuses were the other notable features of that session. So, people have every right to question what they are getting from this parliament.
Besides, each member of parliament( MP) from now on will become the beneficiary of some 150 million Taka for doing development works in his or her constituency. But it is doubtful whether real development works would be accomplished through such allocations. It is more likely that the resources might lead to only self enrichment in the absence of a proper accountability framework.
None should have any grudge for granting additional financial compensation to top members of the government provided the same are well earned. But if the same are not well earned and when common people of the country are found fighting a grim battle of survival against rising inflation, their eroded purchasing capacities and as a result failing to even sustain their present modest standard of living, in these circumstances the hefty rise in the salaries and benefits of the top government functionaries indeed can be visualised with envy by them.
As it is, the top government leaders cannot claim that they have contributed in any sustainable manner to the highest needs of the people on taking over charge some thirteen months ago. The country -- meaning its people and the economy -- is suffering too badly from shortages of power. But the incumbent government or its ministers have not succeeded in the least in diminishing these power related agonies.
The big promise of the ruling party before the election was price control. But that promise remains unfulfilled. The agonies of the people and the economy from not having power have surpassed all previous records of sufferings on this score. Government's failings to create any improvement in the power sector is transparent. The law and order situation is in no way satisfactory and new investment operations in the economy are hardly noted. In these conditions, there is no way for this government to take satisfaction from a sense that its members are discharging their duties well to be able to justify any significantly increased higher salaries and perks.
Nothing can be done or may be done now that the pays and benefits of top members of the government have increased by a fat margin. But they should at least feel a pinch in their conscience and from now on dedicate themselves to truly earn their higher pays and perks.
A B M Mostafa
Lalmatia, Dhaka.