Round
The States
New Delhi, 22 August 2013
VHP Yatra Vs SP Sops
ALL EYES ON UTTAR PRADESH
By Insaf
All eyes are on Uttar
Pradesh. To what length the ruling
Samajwadi Party will go to appease its minorities’ vote bank, is under close
watch. One, it has banned the VHP’s proposed Chaurasi Kosi parikrama yatra of saints in Ayodhya from August 25
on ground of law and order and two, the State Government has reserved 20 per
cent allocations of its numerous schemes (85 under 30 departments) for the
welfare of minorities. In a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday last, Chief Minister
Akhilesh Yadav justified the decision on grounds that it was part of their
election manifesto and would help remove “social, economic and educational
backwardness” of the minorities! The 20 per cent quota would be applied in
areas where the minorities are at least 25 per cent of the population and
schemes such as social pension, rural and urban housing for the poor, free
boring hand pump sets, girls’ education etc would take special care.
Importantly, the decision has been taken around the same time of imposing the
ban on the VHP yatra in Ayodhya, lest the situation goes awry. There is tension
simmering as the VHP has threatened to carry out the pilgrimage, around four
adjoining districts of Ayodhya, including Barabanki and Faizabad, which have a
sizeable Muslim population, despite the ban. While heavy deployment of forces
has been ordered to contain the VHP, it is a test, Akhilesh must pass. Handing
out goodies all the time, can be an expensive venture for his Government.
* * * *
Maharashtra Stunned
Maharashtra is stunned.
The killing of social reformist and anti-superstition crusader Dr Narendra
Dabholkar in broad daylight on Tuesday last in Pune has sent shock waves
through the State, which boasts of tradition of progressive thought. Born in Dabholi,
Sindhudurg district, Dabholkar fought relentlessly against evil of superstition
and many customs rooted in it. Because of his persistent efforts, the State Government
had introduced a Bill to eradicate superstition and magical practices nearly 18
years ago. But the Bill was in cold storage as it was opposed vehemently by
astrologers, religious groups, ‘godmen’ and many “believers”. Ironically,
within 24 hours after his death, the Prithiviraj Chavan Cabinet decided to
issue an Ordinance on lines of the pending Bill, which chose to make it an
offence to exploit people by offering rituals and charms and to practice black
magic. However, with the BJP and Shiv Sena opposed to the Bill, there hangs a
big question mark whether it will become a reality. However, those who believe
in democracy and progressive thinking are keeping their fingers crossed. It
would be the best tribute the State could pay to the departed soul, rather than
just condemning the killing.
* * * *
Bihar’s VC Scandal
Curtains have finally come down on Bihar’s
VCs scandal. Appointments of 11 VCs and Pro-VCs of a number of Universities,
way back in August 2011, stand nullified by the Supreme Court on grounds of
being “vitiated”, “illegal” and “contemptuous.” The culprit this time around,
much to the chagrin of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, was the former Chancellor
and Governor Devanand Konwar and presently Governor of Tripura, who filled up
the posts without “proper consultation” with the State government. Upholding
the Patna High Court’s order of December last, the two-member bench of the SC
directed the Government to fill the posts within three-months. But it has to do
so only after getting recommendations from a search committee, to be constituted
per the UGC’s guidelines. This is because the PIL had also alleged that those
appointed to the Patna
and Darbhanga Universities, among others, were ineligible viz the academic
qualifications prescribed for the top posts. Infact, the court noted that two
VCs and one pro-VC were facing prosecutions under the IPC, SC/ST Act and
prevention of Corruption Act! Hopefully, warning bells should ring in other
States, particularly in Raj Bhavans, to caution Governors from playing havoc
with appointments in higher education and spare themselves embarrassment.
* * * *
4 States Upbeat
Four Congress States can blow their trumpet. Their claim to
fame would be that they—Delhi, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Haryana-- took the
first steps to make India “Hunger-free”, when and if it becomes a reality. On
Tuesday last, Chief Ministers Sheila Dikshit, Tarun Gogo, Nabam Tuki and
Bhupinder Singh Hooda respectively rolled out the UPA-II government’s “game
changing” food security programme by
handing out foodgrain packets and national food security cards to a handful of
people at mega functions. The programme, termed as “unparalleled’ in the world,
would entail the Government spending Rs 125000 crore per year to feed 67 per cent of the
population throughout the country. While these States are confident of making
the programme a success, others are being realistic and trying to work out the
logistics. Questions such as how and who would fit this bill, or where will the
foodgrains come from, or be stored are well-known. But the biggest worry for
the Centre is whether the Food Security Bill gets passed this monsoon session
of Parliament. The treasury benches will do well to keep their fingers
crossed.
* * * *
Himachal Gets Cautious
At least Himachal Pradesh seems to be well-versed with the
idiom: a stitch in time saves nine. It certainly doesn’t want to go the
Uttarakhand way, recovering from the recent devastation. The State has decided
to usher in a new power policy to harness solar energy, announced Chief
Minister Virbhadra Singh on Tuesday last. The aim is to preserve the depleting
conventional resources (read hydro power) in the backdrop of growing demand for
power. Importantly, the government proposes to tap the Union Ministry of New &
Renewable Energy to create awareness about the use of eco-friendly renewal
energy. This, it feels could lead to sustainable and environment-friendly
energy security in the State, as 95 per cent of the 23000 MW exploitable hydro
power capacity has already been allocated. Will it set the ball rolling soon,
and give the Ministry good enough reason to cite it as an example worth
emulating?
* * * *
Haryana’s Compensation
Haryana can claim a first to its credit. The State
government has accepted its responsibility in ensuring safety of its citizens
and their property and agreed to compensate them for losses incurred during
agitations. It has appointed a claim commissioner, who would deal with the
people’s grievances and pass appropriate orders for compensation to be paid by
the Government. The welcome move follows a Supreme Court judgement which stated
that it was the Government’s constitutional obligation to maintain law and
order in the State and failure to discharge this duty would give the citizens
the right to seek compensation for damages. However, while the commissioner is
said to be in place, not many seem to be aware of this appointment. The Hooda
Government has been asked to give wide publicity to it, so that people can file
their claims. At the same time, other States could hopefully follow
suit.---INFA
(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)
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