Ulta Pulta
Nothing official about it
Jaspal Bhatti

Afsarshahi nahin chalegi! nahin chalegi! nahin chalegi!" I heard this slogan in front of the office of an IAS officer. When I went closer, I realised the officer himself was raising the slogan. I asked him, "Sir, being an officer yourself why are you shouting down with officialdom." He said, "What I mean is we bureaucrats cannot sustain at such low salaries."

He explained that after 10 years of service a deputy commissioner took home about Rs 25,000 while private companies offered four times the package.

I was put to thinking, which I normally don’t, what will happen to our country? Who will run the government if all bureaucrats are lured by the Ambanis or their competitors.

A peon standing nearby asked me, "Sardarji, what are you thinking?" I answered, "If your Sahib went to some private firm, what will happen to the files and pending decisions?"

He said, "Don’t worry bhaji, our boss has become so addicted to afsarshahi and my salutes that he cannot leave his job for money. Private companies have to offer bureaucracy and red tape along with the high package. Along with the boss, private companies would be required to take me at a handsome salary. After all I’m the one who doesn’t let the common man meet the boss."

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