Perks, Perquisites, freebies The Air India is in the eye of the storm on mind boggling perks extension to the retired MD ,CMD The benefits are extended not only to immediate family, but to son –in- laws and daughters- in -law, unlimited, definite, for a life time , even after the death of the employee. The ordinary employees normally available of such benefits only if seats are available This has to be seen in background that tax payers money is pumped in to keep it afloat, since it is running into losses, Beside the employees are not paid in time, the suppliers are kept on hold and pilots on 19 hours work schedule are permitted one hot meal .The so called service conditions need to be reviewed earnestly and immediately to stop this loot , insensitivity It is audacious, repulsive and abhorrent to compare with Govt servants only on pensions, without revealing the various benefits while in service, are they not eligible for the contributory fund like others on retirement ?The Govt. servants enjoy LTC once in 2 years to home town and in 4 years to anywhere in India using Govt. transport or railways and will be paid railway fare for air travel, if necessitated. Tax payers cannot be burdened with pleasure junkets To cut corners the commission and fringe benefits to the air travel agents has been greatly curtailed, The system has to be rationalised, if at all. Someone puts it mildly that Air India new slogan should read as WE FLY FOR OURSELVES
The railways are not far behind in ex gratia payments without any set criteria purely at the discretion's and whims and fancies of the authorities Modernisation, addition of new lines, comforts for the travellers should be a priority for disposal funds There needs to be a spirited public debate on frequent raise of perks to the legislators,MLC`s M.P`s Ministers at State and Central level including Councillors,Zilla Prashid, Panchayat members The MLA` sM.P`s are filing returns in crores of rupees and yet take tax free emoluments, allowances with unlimited free travels, junkets abroad, free medical treatment even abroad and special arrangement in the Parliament precincts, free postage, water, electricity , gas cylinders ,petrol, subsidised meals, constituency allowances, paid attendants, accommodation, allowances to attend sessions besides, Such privileges and largess is distributed without discussions at the last minute and when there is no dissent but absolute agreement. Even if they serve for a day they get pension and it multiplies according to terms they serve., What is the definition of pension and what is the computable service? Mere presence at the proceedings, which sometimes amounts to recording attendance, few months in a year, is the definition of qualifying service? Yet they are dissatisfied comparing themselves to those in British Parliament, forgetting the standard of living of the people they represent .No doubt politics is the best profitable profession with fame ,power, position requiring no educational qualification, experience and no age limit. They deserve it and much more, factoring inflation for the yeomen service they render to themselves in the name of the electorate Nelson Lopes Chinchinim