What a contrast!

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Among the very first acts of the new government in the UK was to substantially reduce the salaries and perks of the ministers in the Cabinet of Prime Minister David Cameron. This was a symbolic move giving a message that the government would practise austerity as the economy needs it.
How it contrasts with our situation! The incumbent government in Bangladesh has increased the pays, perks and privileges of the President, the Prime Ministers, Ministers, MPs and others in the high echelon of the government.
The increases in the monetary benefits of the VIPs in our context may be justified. It should be possible to contend and show how the same have been only barely sufficient in relation with the duties they perform. Yet then, the fat emoluments of the top functionaries of the state mark a contrast with the poor income of the preponderant number of the common people of the country who are found suffering the ravages of inflation, less purchasing power and high prices of essential goods. Besides, there is also the point of whether the VIPs have earned their substantial pay increases by delivering efficiently to the people .

Mostafa Kamal Rumi
Moghbazar, Dhaka.