When I contemplate over the size of our present government, juxtaposing with the newly formed congress led UPA government in India, I really feel puzzled, may be for the moral consciousness of mind. I don't know whether our government could ever think over this matter. India, being the second largest country in terms of population and the seventh largest country in terms of size, is downsizing its cabinet, that consist of only 30 ministers to govern the country. On the other hand, in comparison to India, Bangladesh is l: 28 in terms of land and 1:11 in terms of population. Nevertheless, it is a matter of shame and regret that our tiny and poor country is being governed by around 70 ministers in the cabinet of the government. If India would have followed our country, I think it would have a cabinet consisting of 2,000(!) ministers or so. That is quite absurd for any democratic country, although our government has exemplified this kind of sordid mockery. If their moderate cabinet of 30 ministers can govern a country like India why we need so many ministers for our country? To maintain our heavy weight cabinet, the government has to spend a huge amount of money, which is really an unbearable burden for the country.

I think India is a burning example for us in this context and by following this example our government should downsize its cabinet for saving a huge amount of money. If it is followed then the saved money can support many of our development programmes lacking sufficient funds to be completed in time. It is my earnest expectation that our government will follow India and form a cabinet of reasonable size in future.

S.M. Akramul Kabir

Aligarh Muslim University

India