E-Book - Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi's 'Theory of Trusteeship… 214for others who are identified as the beneficiaries. The idealtrustee will be one who holds the Trust solely for otherbeneficiaries. But the ideal is like Euclid's definition or thepoint. One may never attain it in practice. So the Trustees mayhave a share of the benefit. But this share can only beequivalent to what any other beneficiary receives.Anyone who aspires to function as a trustee will takenothing for himself that his labour does not entitle him to."Indeed at the root of this doctrine of equal distribution must bethat of trusteeship of the wealthy for the superfluous wealthpossessed by them, For, according to the doctrine, they may notpossess a rupee more than their neighbours. 66The Trustee will be entitled to a commission that iscommensurate with the value of his service to society, 67 and intune with what other workers receive. The criteria that apply tothe determination of the remuneration or income of otherworkers, including the criterion of equal wages for all kinds oflabour, will apply to him too. It is not possible to fix a uniformpercentage. The amounts or percentages may vary. 68 In a Statebuilt on the basis of non-violence, the commission of Trusteeswill be regulated by the State, 69 and not determined by theTrustee himself, But his own attempt will be to reduce what betakes to the minimum' required for “his legitimate needs" andto leave "the remainder for society" 70The Trustee cannot bequeath his property or wealth tohis children, except where the son or daughter accepts all theconditions of trusteeship and is deemed capable of' functioningas a trustee. In fact, “a trustee has no heir except the public". 71Even if the trusteeship is to be passed on to a son or daughter,the Trustee will only have the right to make a proposal to thateffect. It will be for the State to approve or reject the proposal. 72It will be approved by the State only if the State is satisfied thatthe nominee can fulfill the rigorous role and duties of a trustee.