Payment default by MPs

The fact remains that they did not pay a staggering Tk 8.61 crore over a long period of time. And, that has happened despite the MPs having received a monthly allowance, once revised upwards, to pay the telephone bills. If the allowance is still not enough, then we will have to deal with it as an issue delinked from the huge arrear charges which must be paid for. Some are now reportedly asking for 'free telephone', whatever that means! But didn't the allowance mean maintaining a telephone free of personal cost?

So, it is not a simple matter of who paid the bills and who did not. What is at issue is that a large number of lawmakers did not feel it necessary to clear the telephone bills in time, which actually amounted to violation of the law. It is also morally indefensible since they had drawn the allowance. People in general cannot usually get away with non-payment of telephone bills for more than three months, as the T&T authorities snap the connections of the defaulters. But the MPs did not face any such action, though in their cases the nature and quantum of default have been far more serious. Payment of utility bills is an area where nobody, irrespective of his position and influence, should enjoy immunity.

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When the MPs flunk on telephone bills, what message would it convey to people other than an abuse of position by elected public representatives of the highest category? Moreover, will it not further encourage default culture in various sectors?