<B>By Pauline Etienne</B>

I wrote in this same column two weeks ago, ?We must give him (the prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam) the benefit of the doubt when he says that he ?sympathises with all Mauritians?? We might, however, be tempted not to believe in his words when he says that everyone (does this include him and other members of the government?) is suffering at the moment ? just like when he says that we should soon feel the benefits of the reforms?. Ironically enough, I finally got my answer with the PM?s recent purchase of an Aston Martin for the trifling sum of Rs 6 million.

So, everyone is suffering and everyone has to make sacrifices before feeling the positive effects of the economic reform. Does this mean that some privileged citizens of this country have already been able to reach such a nirvana? Or does it just mean that everyone should keep making sacrifices, except the Prime minister ? who can continue to lead a life of luxury while telling the population, each time he has the opportunity, to tighten its belt?

Last Saturday, the PM was in Bon-Accueil and Triolet for Divali celebrations where he was preaching for more sacrifice. Being aware of the generosity the PM is showing towards himself, it does not appear surprising that some in the crowd made their voices heard to say that they were suffering. There is no doubt that people must feel they are being taken... for a ride when Navin Ramgoolam treats himself to such a car while they are unable to make ends meet.

If Navin Ramgoolam decides to answer the ?attacks?, he will most probably say that the Aston Martin is his private car - not purchased with public funds. Fair enough. But this is not the point. It is all about sending the right signals to the population. If he really believes in the budget of Rama Sithanen, he must be convinced that the whole population will feel the benefits in the years to come.

Wouldn?t it have been more appropriate to wait for some months before buying a high-powered posh car? Just as he did with members of his government ? whose cars were not renewed so as to reduce public expenses ? he could himself have made the same move.

He will not be able to convince people that he cares for them and their welfare if he does not impose a dose of self-discipline on himself. He will not be able to prevent people from asking loudly, ?What is he doing? What is he thinking of?? His recently acquired Aston Martin has become the talk of the town. It appears so absurd to people that he just does not practise what he preaches.

This period of severe budget restrictions should be only a hard time to get through. The PM?s action could be perceived as a sign that he does not believe in his minister of Finance?s competence and that the situation will not improve for those at the bottom ? as promised last July.

?Despite an improvement in a number of factors, I must recognise that the situation remains difficult for the moment,? declared Rama Sithanen in his press conference on Friday. Even though he did not openly complain about the lack of cohesion within the government, he said with a broad smile, ?It is always good to reach for more cohesion.? But how could ministers who seem already quite reluctant to implement Rama Sithanen?s reforms be brought to exercise more discipline and a sense of responsibility if they see their own leader disregard his own advice?

As a responsible PM, Navin Ramgoolam should lead the way?