The bedrock of govt profligate spending

However, let me make it quite clear that I do not support such behaviour, austerity or no austerity. Indeed, in my view, the two instances which have been the butt of the outcry — alleged indiscreet spending by the Minister of Tourism and by the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs — can be of value only if they serve to focus attention on the problem of government expenditure in general. Here is where we ought to direct attention.

Thus, even allowing for inflation, has anyone been able to point to even the smallest or relatively insignificant government department or agency which has been able to submit to the Ministry of Finance draft annual estimates of expenditure which happen to be less than those of the preceding year? One would be lucky.

In fact, here lies the root of the “expenditure problem” with which Ministers of Finance (of whatever colour) will always be faced. It is a case of Oliver Twist — “always calling for more” regardless.

Furthermore, what makes it even more galling is that government expenditure, notwithstanding what is being mouthed perennially, bears no identifiable relationship, at all, to productivity.

What is clear is that the almost open-ended criteria being used by ministries and agencies in determining draft estimates of expenditure have had a tendency to encourage increases every year when compared with its precursor.

I therefore postulate that the issues raised by the alleged indiscretions by the two ministers are really of no intrinsic consideration when taken against the general profligate expenditure of Government — much of which is being imposed on the taxpayer by agencies, the need for which must be called into question. Has someone the courage to act? Indeed, in support of this contention of seemingly galloping uncontrolled government expenditure, I have only to point to but one single item of government expenditure — the cost of motoring.

Thus, has it not been clear that the assignment to the police of expensive SUVs following the Summit of the Americas and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference has brought about a thirst by police officers for this type of vehicle and thus in their being seen driving about in relative comfort, in droves, with guns “cock-ahoop,” rather than in their being “on the beat?” And, as if not to be left out, are we aware that messengers in government ministries and departments are finding their way via expensive foreign-exchange - bl e e ding” SUVs? Not to mention the high-powered vehicles which ministers and Members of Parliament and senior officers are being facilitated to own, courtesy the Salaries Review Commission? Can one envisage a reversal of what has become “cultural official norms?” I do not know.

ERROL OC CUPID Trincity, Tacarigua