1997 Babus We Can’t Afford

It is a splendid gift to mark the golden jubilee of India’s Independence. The nation’s babus— the 400,000 employed by the Centre— have, on behalf of the people, bestowed on themselves a pay rise of Rs 11,250 crore a year— reward for failing to eradicate squalor, illiteracy and disease or safeguard India’s sovereignty these past 50 years. I NDIA TODAY, AUGUST 4, 1 997