Prices And Politicians
Most people believe politicians are out to loot them and that while they sufferthrough inflation and the hike in fuel prices, most politicians would be livinga life of luxury. There's a lot of truth in the saying that politics is the lastrefuge of scoundrels. My maid says it's been a while since vegetables have beenbought in her house that includes her son, daughter-in-law and their twochildren. It's unaffordable, she says and they settle for one drumstick (whichcosts four rupees as against one rupee earlier) so the sambar at least has someflavour. "It's not just me, there are thousands like me," she says. Itmust surely be galling for people like her that TN MLAs have got a hike of Rs5000 per month from their earlier salary of Rs 25,000. The generous financeminister K Anbazhagan even announced hikes in pension to former legislators.Then CM Karunanidhi satisfied another wish list and increased the MLAsConstituency Development Fund from the present Rs 1.2 crore to Rs 1.5 crore andadded that jeeps would be provided to all MLAs at a total cost of Rs 12 crore.At least nobody listened when Congress MLA C Gnanasekaran asked for a salary ofRs 63,000 and two grounds of land for each member.
Politicians Have Deep Pockets?
It's something one has always sniggered about. When politicians are robbed --and many have had their wallets and watches stolen in the thick of crowds -- ithardly ever evokes sympathy. Just the other day, Paramasivan, former unionsecretary of the DMK from Namakkal, went to wish party chief Karunanidhi for hisbirthday and came back Rs 20,000 lighter.