Learning from contemporary history! Why not?

Good examples set by politicians of other countries in recent years can be cited and even emulated if they fit in our context. But our politicians are more apt to mention exemplary works or quotes of politicians of bygone eras of other countries than give due credit to contemporary politicians. In recent times, politicians in power in India, Indonesia, China and Sri Lanka have broken the norm and set new examples of good administration and good will which can be copied by anybody.   

Still fresh in power, the Modi government has put a ban on all sorts of luxury expenditure by the civil servants, administrative staff and fellow politicians, taking the risk of facing their ire. No unnecessary recruitment. No more government events will take place in five star hotels unless sponsored by a non-government organisation. No more travelling first class by government officials on official tours. No more buying luxury cars for top notch government officials. Prime Minister Modi has also ordered 10% cut on all expenditure in all government offices. In a recent report, it is said that the Indian government proposes to lower the fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP by 2016-17. The deficit which had touched a high of 5.7% in 2011-12, was brought down to 4.8% in 2012-13 and further to 4.5% in 2013-14 by way of austerity measures. The government aims at reviving growth, particularly in manufacturing sector and infrastructure. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in his budget speech that choice has to be made whether or not to be 'victims of mere populism and wasteful expenditure.'

But, to think of it, it sounds like an impossible task for our governments to implement the above ideas because we are used to spending public money with great joy and joviality. Like, for instance, we love to buy 50 to 70 brand new luxury automobiles for any project long before the project even starts to roll. Many of those vehicles are later found to be at the disposal of the family members of the project top bosses. Hundreds of such imported project vehicles either 'vanish' well before the completion of the projects or end up in scrap yards to rot under the sun.  There is none accountable for their inventory, maintenance and proper use. Our politicians or project chiefs take a big contingent of people on official tours to foreign countries, which later turn out to be 'shopping spree' at the cost of tax payer's money.

Even a much richer country like China is going for austerity measures these days. Nowadays, 100-course dinner for foreign dignitaries has become a thing of the past. They can now please the palate of the high-profile visitors with about 50 dishes and can still get big contracts. The Chinese government has also clamped a ban on the import of luxury cars for government officials. Manufacturers of some of the most expensive European cars will surely lament the decision. Even the armed forces have been instructed to purchase locally made vehicles.

Here are some news items to ponder: Xinhua News Agency reports that all levels of government will be barred from using government funds to organise extravagant galas staged with expensive celebrities and performances. Officials will punish organisers of “expensive or wasteful celebratory events.” China's State Council released regulations that ban provincial-level officials from taking official cars for general use, excluding vehicles needed for law enforcement or emergency-response services. The rules also prohibit officials from using public funds to travel abroad in the name of official business and emphasise that government buildings -- many of which have been the subject of public criticism for their extravagance -- can no longer be built as city landmarks.

“The central government bans official dinners with shark fin soup, bird's nest soup, and wild animal products as part of a new directive,” according to the Wall Street Journal. Xinhua reports that cigarettes and upscale liquor were also banned from official functions and banquets. Officials below the provincial level cannot stay in suites when on business trips, while their hosts are banned from giving them cash, souvenirs, or local products as gifts. Officials on business tours are also required to arrange their own meals according to relevant expenditure standards.

Nothing to learn from here?  

Plenty of activities are going on in Indonesia as well. The Indonesian government slashed spending by up to Rp. 43 trillion to avoid budget shortfall in 2014. 

Let us now look at Sri Lanka. The new Sri Lankan President Pallewatte Gamaralalage Maithripala Yapa Srisena has already announced that he would not run for a second term. Yes, this is exactly what he did soon after being sworn in as the country's 6th president. He has promised to bring social, economic and political reforms to the country. The most interesting thing is that he has also promised to abolish the controversial 18th Amendment to the Constitution, which gives sweeping power to the president.

By Golly! Curtailing his own political and executive powers! Relinquishing his own unlimited khomota! Who would do that in his sane mind?  Can we learn a few things from here, from these examples? 

The writer is Special Supplements Editor, The Daily Star. E-mail: [email protected]