Punjab governments decision to dissolve 550 redundant posts largely in the bureaucracy is a laudable step that ought to be followed by the federal government. PML-N leader and Senior Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa told media on Sunday that a total of Rs 6.1 billion would be saved and would be spent on welfare of the public. This is also good news so far as good governance is concerned because any government that becomes encumbered with extra administrative machinery is unable to dispense its duties efficiently. Crucial matters of governance get jumbled up. A large administrative empire is not only a big drain on the national exchequer but foments the evil of red-tapism. But while the Punjab government has realised this reality, the federal government must also learn to cut its coat according to its cloth. Prime Minister Gilanis statement on Sunday that though they were planning to reshuffle the cabinet, the downsizing phase has yet not arrived only reaffirms his lack of commitment to practice austerity. Now that the Punjab government has made a practical demonstration, the Gilani set-up must waste no time in doing away with useless bureaucratic posts and ministries. As a matter of fact, the departments working under the federal dispensation have a number of officials far greater than what is actually required, courtesy the norm in our system of governance where it is commonplace for the rulers of the day to create extra slots merely to oblige friends and cronies. Add to it the factor of lavish perks and privileges that every bureaucrat or a minister is enjoying and one would understand why the government has been unable to maintain fiscal discipline. The question is should be we having such a huge army of good for nothing bureaucrats and ministers when the government is faced with an unprecedented fiscal crisis. The PPP top brass is often seen boasting a lot about devolving ministries to the province, but the fact remains that afterwards it would be the provinces which would have to generate funds to run them. Hence, in essence it would be a zero-sum game. And contrary to what the federal government has been claiming, there still exist a number of ministers, advisors and even secretaries enjoying the perks of a federal minister. With all the money that is being ruthlessly wasted on these redundant ministries and posts, it is clear that a variety of problems afflicting the country can be easily addressed. It is an accepted fact that the economy cannot flourish unless and until the government reduces its non-development budget. Far from following this golden principle, the PPP-led set-up has so far seen no objection in drastically slashing down the funds allocated for public welfare.