Indian ministers and bureaucrats are not the only ones fretting about flying economy class or not staying in five star hotels, given that French President Nicolas Sarkozy is among the few who believes austerity measures “always fail”. However, others in meltdown-hit parts of the world have decided to put up with similar “inconveniences”.

Pakistan

Days after Pakistani Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin proposed that the government “adopt austerity measures at the highest levels”, Aaj TV Online reported on September 5 that “the government is likely ban travel of chief executives and board members of public sector organisations by club/first class after serious reservations were expressed during a Cabinet meeting”.

Britain

The English seem to have fallen on bad times. Now, Tory boss, David Cameroon, is going around town pledging to cut the number of MPs by 65, slash their pay and perks, wipe subsidised food and drink off Westminster’s menus and chop down the fleet of ministerial cars if voters hand over 10 Downing Street to him. The British had given India a lesson in austerity by “treating” visiting Army Chief General Kapoor and senior officials to a £ 5.15-per-head meal consisting of “pastry, cheese and salmon” that was bought from a mass retail chain during his tour of the UK in August last year.

Mexico

President Felipe Calderon has proposed to shut down three ministries—Tourism, Agrarian Reform and Public Administration — as part of an effort to pull up the economy. Besides, he has also announced a freeze on salaries for many federal employees.

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