Round The States

New Delhi, 6 December 2012

Abuse of Govt Machinery

THREE CHEERS TO KERALA HC

                                                                     By Insaf                          

Three cheers to the Kerala High Court. It has put into sharp focus the nagging question belief that Governments misuse their machinery to silence political opponents. On Thursday last, the court did a lot more than just provide relief to veteran CPM leader and former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan in the land allotment case, wherein it was alleged that he had misused his position while allotting 2.33 acres to an ex-serviceman and a close relative during the LDF ministry in 2006-11. One, the court quashed the FIR against Achuthanandan stating that framing a case against him on “false and frivolous” charges was unworthy of any merit. Two,  the court noted that some aspects presented were “too disturbing”, which in fact “gives enough room to generate suspicion that the machinery of vigilance is misused and abused to silence political opponents.” The scathing verdict has undeniably dealt a severe blow to the Congress-led UDF government, despite denial by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy that his Government was pursuing the case with any political motive. And, though the Government may seek comfort by the fact that it will appeal against the verdict, it has little option but to shelve its plans of seeking the Governor's assent to prosecute Achuthanandan. It and in fact other States Government would do well in studying the judgement to halt the unethical misuse of their authority.         

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Maharashtra Cong-NCP Ties

All doesn’t look hunky-dory between the ruling Congress-NCP in Maharashtra. The debate on FDI in multi-brand retail in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday last appears to be a pointer. While the NCP, a key component of the UPA-II voted in favour of the FDI, it has insisted that any decision on its implementation in the State would first need to be discussed in the coordination committee. The NCP’s State President Madhukar Pichad has asked Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan not to take any one-sided steps without consulting them, as interests of the labour unions and market committees had to be kept in mind. Importantly, its Union Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel had corrected the Congress claim that the Maharashtra government had spoken in favour of the FDI. Patel plainly made it known that his party would state its position only after studying the merits and demerits of the FDI! Is the NCP too angling for a quid pro quo, like the BSP wrangled with the Congress? Just, a day before the crucial voting, the Centre announced that it would hand over the Indu Mill land in Mumbai to the State government for a Babasaheb Ambedkar memorial, as per the long-pending demand of Dalit leaders! 

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Gujarat Blockbuster

The ensuing Gujarat Assembly election is seemingly close to a big movie blockbuster. The turns and twists are indeed enthralling. However, for starters lady luck seems to be on the side of superstar Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Two days after a reputed magazine came out with a scathing expose’ of a ‘dubious’ company making a whopping Rs 20,000 crore in a gas deal signed by his Government, much to the Congress’ delight, Modi gave a resounding punch. On Wednesday last, he welcomed Congress influential Patel community leader and former deputy Chief Minister Narhari Amin with open arms into the BJP’s fold. Amin decided to quit the Congress after the latter turned down his request for a ticket from the Gandhinagar South constituency. The loss could make matters worse for the Congress as Amin’s appeal to his supporters to ensure Modi’s victory has many takers. Other than some candidates, supporters are showing willingness to quit their party posts as well as those in panchayats, the municipal corporation, university and other bodies. At the end, it may well be a happy ending for Modi. . 

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Karnataka Protests

Far from getting resolved the Cauvery water dispute has sadly again triggered protests. On Wednesday last, vehicular traffic between Bangalore and Mysore, was disrupted for several hours as farmers' groups and Kannada organisations blocked the highway at Mandya, about 130 km away. Worse, the Mandya authorities have announced that schools and colleges will be closed for two days as the farmers' groups have called for a shutdown in the district and threatened to lay siege on the Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir, from where the water is to be released. The agitation is an offshoot of the Supreme Court's directive to Karnataka on Wednesday last to release 10,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. While the district authorities have as a precautionary measure imposed prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more people near the reservoir till Sunday evening, the State government would need to get its act together. Its argument that the State is going through a drought is not helping either. Efforts to resolve matters through a dialogue, as suggested by the apex court, should seriously and honestly be made, for agitation as we all know can only add to the misery

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J&K Council Polls

The ruling National Conference-Congress Government in J&K has reason to rejoice. On Thursday last, it won all four Legislative Council seats in the polls held under Panchayat quota. Importantly, the elections were held after a gap of nearly four decades and which crucially witnessed panches and sarpanches saying a big no to the boycott call by the Hurriyat and terror groups. While the opposition PDP has reason to be upset and disheartened, it would do well to share the relief of the Government as 95 per cent (about 35,000) of the people came out to vote. Recall that only a month ago, the State had witnessed panches and sarpanches resigning from their posts after a sarpanch was killed by terrorist in Palhalan. Their action had even got the Centre worried, which then asked the Omar Abdullah government to gain the confidence of the grassroot folk. Now is the time for Abdullah to fulfill his assurance of transferring the funds and functions to the panchayats, and reward them adequately.  

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UP Fatwas

Many a Muslim in Uttar Pradesh and perhaps elsewhere are in for a rude shock. This past week the Darul Uloom Deoband in Muzaffarnagar has issued two fatwas. One is that women cannot work as receptionists! According to it, Muslim women are per se not allowed to come before men without veils and the job of a receptionist in this case is clearly not suitable. It involves constant interaction with people is its argument and therefore un-islamic. The second fatwa issued is against people having tattoo on their bodies or spraying perfume with alcohol in it, as their prayers under such conditions are not valid. Thus, this too is against the sharia law, the Deoband asserts. While it is uncertain how many will adhere to the fatwas, at least the Darul Uloom Deoband has triggered a debate. Hope the women and youth of modern India have something to say. ---INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)