THE budget exercise is on. The country continues tobe underheavyinternaland external debt, but the lifestyle of our politicians and bureaucracy doesn`t show that we are under a heavy financial burden.

The use of expensive vehicles and cars followed by escort cars must be discouraged.

Why can`t these expensive vehicles be replaced by 600cc or 800cc vehicles? Alternatively, users must be asked to buy their own vehicles and they should be paid a monthly allowance for maintenance.

The facility of government housing must gradually be withdrawn, and thegovernment may allow the hiring of accommodation at market rates. Currently, maintenance funds are all spent on VIP housing while lower-grade employees keep cribbing for repairs, which are denied.

A lot of expenditure is incurred on internal and foreign travel. Why can`t we take advantage of modern technology and conduct meetings on Skype? If the system technology is currently weak, we must spend money on improving the technology and reinforce the system.

F.A.

Karachi