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I told him that these MLAs were being sent to Australia, Canada and Pakistan to study the systems of governance there. But I wonder what they can study in Pakistan. Probably they can observe the difference in the level of freedom in Amarinder Singh’s democracy and Musharraf’s dictatorship. The move has drawn criticism as it entails lot of expenditure when the government coffers are already empty. Had I been the Chief Minister’s adviser, I would have suggested smuggling out 40 "kabootars" (illegal immigrants) to the US or Canada. The government could have earned at least 2.80 crore at the rate of 7 lakh per "kabootar". But there must be some logic behind the ruling party’s move. It possibly feels that these MLA’s need the correct international exposure. Some of the MLA’s might be enthusiastically hoping that this international exposure means visits to the foreign nightclubs or watching Bay Watch beauties at the beaches. I asked an Akali MLA why
he was opposing this foreign jaunt. Wouldn’t international exposure be
beneficial to widen their thinking? He said, "There’s already so
much of exposure in video albums and fashion TV that there’s nothing
left to see now". |
The
Punjab Government has decided to send 40 MLAs abroad on a study tour. My
son asked me, "Papa, haven’t they studied during their
school?"