That's the way the money goes and pop........

Our most revered President, Pratibha Patil has just embarked on a 12 day visit of Seychelles and South Africa. She has already visited 22 countries across 4 continents in 12 foreign trips abroad. She has spent a total of 79 days travelling abroad and has already visited Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Bhutan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Spain, Poland, Russia, Tajikistan, Britain, Cyprus, China, Laos, Cambodia, the UAE, Syria, Mauritius, South Korea, Mongolia, Switzerland and Austria. This little gem was uncovered by RTI activist Mr Subhash Agarwal but there has been not a peep from the press. She normally takes along her son in law and grand children and 100 members of staff and press in a 747. A total of $40 million or Rs 2.05 billion has already been spent on her trips. The President is a purely ceremonial post and has no business travelling abroad unless specifically invited by another government or sent by the government of India, as the neutral head of government, to smooth over difficult relations much as the Queen does for Britain. Once schools close for the summer break politicians of every ilk will also take off for foreign shores along with family and friends. They will provide a fictitious reason to make the visit official and get the taxpayer to pay for their debauch. Since they are classified as VIPs or VVIPs there is no customs check on their retinue so they will be able to bring in any amount of contraband they like. The cost is not insignificant. Air India needs at least Rs 400 billion to survive. The airline owes Rs 4.5 billion to Delhi International Airport Ltd as fees so the airport company is asking for a 774% rise in charges on passengers. The government has already allowed a 334% rise meaning that domestic passengers will pay Rs 600 and international passengers Rs 1300-1400 per flight. Charges for passengers transiting through the airport will be Rs 330 for domestic and Rs 800 for international passengers. Taxes on airlines are already among the highest in the world and, apart from Indigo, every airline is making huge losses. Instead of reducing taxes and increasing volumes so that we have a viable aviation industry the government is considering allowing 49% foreign stake in domestic airlines. But, who would so stupid as to pour money into loss making businesses when there is no hope in hell of making profit because of high taxes. High oil prices mean that international airlines are suffering and American Airlines is already in chapter 11 bankruptcy. Sadly the freeloading press does not campaign against high taxes because they tag along with politicians for free trips. Mother India is riddled with parasites and needs drastic remedy. Only total extermination will do.