Austerity measures

21 September 2011

Austerity measures

The recent decision of the government to put in place the austerity measures in line with the Austerity Regulation 2068, as reported in “Ministers get fiat to shift gears” (THT, Sept. 20, Page 1), seemed appropriate in terms of the national economic situation. However, it is yet to be seen as to how far the government would be able to strictly implement it. Such measures, although announced in the previous years also, remained merely on papers due to the lack of political commitment of the previous governments. The country had to financially bleed heavily many times due to traditional thinking and bossy nature of the previous ministers who were reluctant to take any austerity measures. Even the parliamentarians were, at one time, given the liberty to import expensive vehicles at nominal custom duties. The poor country had to spend huge amount of money simply for the fancy vehicles for the Prime Ministers and ministers. They had shown themselves to be rich ministers of a poor country.

It was encouraging to see the detailed rules mentioned in the new Austerity Regulation regarding the categories of vehicles to be used by the government officials are noteworthy to mention. Likewise, slashing of some other facilities, including fuel benefits that the ministers and other senior government officials were enjoying, are also a welcome step towards supporting the weak national economy. Those benefits were widely abused and remained to be the additional financial burden to the tax payers and ultimately to the common people. Also, the decision of Finance Minister to replace his expensive official car with costing not more than Rs. 3 million in keeping with the Regulation would be a moral pressure for the other ministers who have always drawn flak for their ostentatious choice of vehicles. The people are eagerly waiting to see this Austerity Regulation strictly followed and implemented for the good of the nation.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj, Kathmandu