Govt should focus on addressing the common man’s problems rather than kowtowing to special interests.
ISLAMABAD: The yearly discussion on salary increases is back in the debate as the annual budget inches forth, ready to be announced on June 3. One hopes that while drafting this budget, the government realises that it is futile to raise salaries without controlling prices and inflation. Any increase in salaries will be offset by the large increase in prices and the soaring cost of living, thus providing no relief to the people.
When the government makes such decisions without giving due consideration to all possible variables, it simply shows that it is not competent enough to make informed economic choices.
Similarly, the billions earmarked for Ramazan packages and other ‘subsidies’ are again gimmicks designed to suit the needs of commercial barons and capitalists, not the common man steeped in poverty. While the consumer might end up paying less through these schemes, the government would pay the difference directly to traders to maintain the subsidy. The money used to pay the subsidy difference is extracted from the pockets of the same consumer through direct and indirect taxes.
The government should refrain from such economic gimmickry. It should focus on addressing the common man’s problems rather than kowtowing to special interests.
Akram Piracha
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2014.
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