The recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission will soon be out and cadres will be jostling to get what they want. The question is, have the recommendations of earlier pay commissions to enhance the functioning of the bureaucracy been implemented? If not, why?
As a citizen, I consider no cadre more important than the others. We need good administration, policing, health services, revenue collectors and protectors of environment among others. However whether it is internal security, foreign relations or disasters, the armed forces are numero uno. So which cadre should be paid more? None. All cadres must get the same overall gross pay packet linked to their mode rank for the same number of years of service. Let people choose which service they prefer according to their likes and capabilities instead of the so-called 'preferred ones'.
Some thought has to be given to how much should be paid out as salaries from the Consolidated Fund. Taxpayers should decide whether we need such a bloated bureaucracy or if employment is the reason, then at what cost.
But these questions will never be answered as cadres will point to the cost of democracy, that is, the cost of legislators and whether they, too, deserve what they get. Therein lies a sweetheart agreement: you scratch me, I scratch you and the nation gets the itch.
T R Ramaswami Mumbai
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