The Hindu Business Line : Outstanding dues

The details of dues payable by the MPs are shocking. One report states that as many as 150 MPs out of 543 have not paid their telephone bills so far and the total outstanding dues from them towards telephone and electricity bills are Rs 148 crore and Rs 5 crore, respectively. Importantly, the MPs are permitted to use many units of electricity each year free of cost.

Thus, it has become a way of life for many politicians not to pay their dues. They consider it a prerogative of their status. Such an attitude of political arrogance should be nipped in the bud as otherwise the rule of law will completely be undermined.

As rightly stated in the article, it is the Election Commission that can put an end to this proliferating culture of non-payment of government dues by the politicians.

C. Ramesh

Keeramangalam (TN)

* * *

The article urging the Election Commission to initiate action against the people's representatives for defaulting on bills is timely. Kautilya too prescribed stringent punishment for the misuse of public finance particularly by those who wield power.

One of the strongest reasons for all political parties to resist privatisation of public utilities is exactly for the purposes of treating them as their personal fiefdom and nothing more. It is sincerely hoped the courts and Election Commission will put an end to this soon.

Ravee Nerur

Bangalore

* * *

It is shocking that, besides Members of the Parliament, two former Prime Ministers, have also defaulted on payment of electricity and telephone bills. Ordinary citizens may wonder whether they can trust their elected representatives.

The Election Commission should debar all the defaulters in terms of the powers it has under the Representation of the People's Act.

P. V. Maiya

Bangalore

Letters to the editor and contributions can be sent by e-mail to: bleditor@thehindu.co.in