Former Haryana finance minister and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) national patron Prof Sampat Singh on Friday dismissed the state government's recent directives on austerity and energy conservation as mere 'posturing'.
Allegations of Wasteful Spending
Addressing a press conference, Singh alleged that while the BJP government preaches frugality—advocating for reduced expenditure and energy savings—it simultaneously promotes unnecessary and wasteful spending. He claimed that crores of rupees were spent on delegates and officials at five-star hotels in Chandigarh during the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association event held from June 8 to 10.
Demand for Downsizing
Singh said the government should first reduce its expenditure by downsizing ministerial staff and administrative setups, following the model adopted by former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala. 'The BJP government can function effectively with nine ministers instead of 15,' he asserted.
He also demanded a reduction in the number of advisers and officials availing of government perks. He pointed out that while lakhs of talented and educated youth in Haryana were grappling with unemployment, certain 'retired and favoured' IAS officers were repeatedly granted service extensions and reappointed to lucrative positions.
