I wish this is not a breach of trust!
The PDP Government got voted in by making
a strong pitch that the last government put the country’s economy in turmoil. The economy is still sick and perhaps the
government will need some more time to bring back the economy on track. In the same
way we know that not much of other issues have changed such as the poverty is still high and below unacceptable level and the country
continues to grow in its serious debt. Of course against all these adversaries
the ruling party (as well as DPT) had promised some pay hike for civil servants but never had talked so much for
themselves.
It has so turned out now that the civil servants, especially the
ones at the lower ladder have been given some kind of eyewash and left
desperately and jealously wishing more! The Government on the other hand has
proposed such a frightfully high entitlements for themselves and their entire fellow
MPs (doubtful if the ones now in opposition would have done differently) that
the civil servants (the corporate and the private sector will soon follow suit)
are completely left at their mercy. In spite of proposing a lofty amount of Nu 75,160 as their basic salary,conveniently 10 other items are added that cover each and every foreseeable expenditure to meet their livelihoods. While a civil servant or any other employer has
just one consolidated pay to meet all his/her expenses including the mighty
house rent, to buy a car (or just dream for), fuel the car (if any), pay all the
bills and also co-exist and survive along side of these dramatically allowanced
elected members. How is that the MPs need separate allowances for every head of
expenditure, most hilarious being the driver allowance (as if the MPs will hire
one!). How about putting vegetable allowance, petticoat allowance for the wives (happier are those divorcees and bachelors), children uniform allowance,
heater/fan allowance (may be both for summer and winter).
I hope some good sense prevails before approving these salary raise and due consideration will be given to people lower down the ladder. If not the common folk in their half empty stomach would only be expected to continue
grinning and pose pictures for the GNH publicity page cover?
