New Delhi:
From conspicuous consumption to conspicuous austerity, our politicians have come full circle. After a government diktat saw ministers checking out of five-star hotels, many in the Cabinet questioned the government's drive. But reservation aside, most are falling in line - including two of our billionaire mantris.
Foreign Minister S M Krishna has decided not to use a government plane for a visit to Belarus next week. And travelling with him on a commercial airliner will be only two, not 12 officials.
While Krishna's got permission to travel executive class abroad, Pawar chose to fly economy from Mumbai to Delhi.
The decision comes at the end of a stormy week for India's ministers.
In the interests of an austerity drive, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee laid down the law - no five star stay, with Mukherjee publically ticking off the Foreign Minister and his deputy, and no executive class travel without permission.
After a stormy Cabinet meeting, Pranab even decided to set an example. So he ditched the small government jet he's entitled to, and flew a budget airline the next day.
"Why all this fuss I do not know. Because of my workload and other considerations, the Prime Minister gave me a special Air Force aircraft when I was Defence Minister. When I moved to External Affairs to Finance, Prime Minster has kept that arrangement. But that I use occasionally," said Mukherjee.
But it's not clear just how big the government will save.
Foreign Minister S M Krishna has decided not to use a government plane for a visit to Belarus next week. And travelling with him on a commercial airliner will be only two, not 12 officials.
While Krishna's got permission to travel executive class abroad, Pawar chose to fly economy from Mumbai to Delhi.
The decision comes at the end of a stormy week for India's ministers.
In the interests of an austerity drive, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee laid down the law - no five star stay, with Mukherjee publically ticking off the Foreign Minister and his deputy, and no executive class travel without permission.
After a stormy Cabinet meeting, Pranab even decided to set an example. So he ditched the small government jet he's entitled to, and flew a budget airline the next day.
"Why all this fuss I do not know. Because of my workload and other considerations, the Prime Minister gave me a special Air Force aircraft when I was Defence Minister. When I moved to External Affairs to Finance, Prime Minster has kept that arrangement. But that I use occasionally," said Mukherjee.
But it's not clear just how big the government will save.
