Round The States

New Delhi, 5 September 2013

Squandering Public Money

WEST BENGAL GOVT HALTED

By Insaf

Three cheers to the Calcutta High Court. It has lambasted the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal for “squandering public money”. On Monday last, the court struck down the State Government’s decision to give a monthly honorarium of Rs 2,500 to all imams of mosques and Rs 1,000 each to muezzins, stating that it violated Article 14 and 15 of the Constitution, which ensures that the State shall not discriminate on grounds of religion, caste, sex or place of birth. Making a note that imams and muezzins cannot be treated as a separate community, the Court observed that payment of such allowances on the basis of religion is “illegal”. This apart, it held that the State Government’s action of disbursing the allowance through the Wakf Board was wrong as it does not serve a public service. Apparently, thanks to the PIL filed by the BJP and three others, it has come to light that the government so far has ‘disbursed’ Rs 162 crore to the Board for 25,000 imams and 13,000 muezzins! Will Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee make amends or will she in her inimitable  style have the Government file an appeal in the Supreme Court, is definitely worth a watch.

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Bihar Flood Tragedy

Bihar fears the worst, since the Kosi flood tragedy. The rising Ganga has recently broken a decade-old record and wreaked havoc in 20-odd districts, including Patna, Bhagalpur, Buxar and Vaishali. The toll in the floods has risen to 176 lives and about 59 lakh people have been affected, with thousands forced to flee their homes. Standing crop on over 520,000 hectares has been destroyed and approximately Rs 115 crore worth property has been damaged. Worse, rescue operations have been affected with road communication getting snapped, sending the State machinery into a tizzy. While the Disaster management team is working 24/7, restoring and strengthening works on embankments, distributing foodgrains, polythene sheets, setting up camps, etc, the Met office warning of heavy rains next week is sure to be a dampener. Sadly, States never seem to learn from past experience. The 2008 Kosi river deluge is being recalled and quoted, but the administration has done precious little to improve its flood relief measures. When will it become proactive, is the question to be asked?   

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Relief For Delhi Govt 

Delhi Government can heave a sigh of relief. It’s Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has fortunately got relief from the High Court. A trial court’s order for registration of FIR against her for alleged misuse of Government funds to the tune of Rs 22.56 crore in the previous Assembly election was stayed till September 19. The High Court maintained as the Lokayukta's report, which had pointed out irregularities in advertisement campaign was under the consideration of President of India, the question of any probe could only be addressed after hearing the arguments at length from both the parties. It asked the BJP leader Vijender Gupta and the Delhi Police Commissioner to accordingly respond the Government’s petition, which argued that Gupta had relied only on the Lokayukta’s report and there was no material directly against Dikhit or her officers. With a stay in its favour, the Government is hopeful of damage control in the coming Assembly elections this November. Fingers are crossed that this case, like most others will be long-drawn.       

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Manipur’s Press Freedom Fight 

Manipur is grappling with the repeated attacks on the freedom the press, both by underground groups and security agencies. Newspapers did not hit the stands for two consecutive days in the State this week, in a bid by the Editors Committee, All Manipur Working Journalists Union and All Manipur Newspapers Sales and Distributors to lodge their protest against threats by underground groups (UG). Apparently, UGs different factions, engaged in conflict, want their statements to be published. They threaten journalists and editors if their diktat is not carried out. Besides, hawkers and agents are pressurised not to distribute particular newspapers. Worse, the National Investigation Agency, time and again asks dailies in Imphal to disclose/produce original documents/photographs related to some stories. This is unacceptable, as the journalist fraternity views such acts as an infringement on their rights and an affront to its code of ethics to protect sources. Other than the State Government, the media has approached the Press Council to intervene. Will it oblige and end their woes?     

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Mizoram Pig Crisis

Mizoram is in the throes of a blue-ear pig disease. It has had to cull hundreds of pigs following their being found to be infected with a virus which causes ‘Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome’, which leads to failed pregnancies and respiratory illness in young pigs. Given its recurrence, the State Government has issued a ban for two months on imports of pigs from Myanmar, fearing that the neighbour’s pigs were responsible for the spread of the virus. With Section 144 CrPC invoked, no one in Mizoram can import pigs either for farming or for their meat during the ban. Recall that in March-April alone, some 3,800-odd pigs and piglets had died due to the virus outbreak. But it’s not all bad news. Luckily, the virus has not affected the people, according to the State’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department and thankfully, the embargo on eating pork, which is a staple diet among the Mizos has been lifted. However, the idiom better to be safe than sorry may be on many a mind.    

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Hope For The Elderly?

There is a ray of hope for the country’s elderly. In a recent advisory to the States and Union Territories, the Centre has urged the setting up of “senior citizens’ cells” to ensure their safety. This apart, the Union Home Ministry is reported to have suggested toll-free help lines and an interactive website to monitor the aged. The measures also include keeping record of the elderly in all police stations and giving rewards to the police personnel and people who help detect and prevent crime against the senior citizens. Fortunately, the realisation has dawned on the Home Ministry thanks to deliberations and recommendations of the National Conference on Ageing organised by the Social Justice Ministry, wherein the breaking down of the family support system was a major concern. Will the system be put in place, is the big question. The States must oblige, the Centre, at least on this front. ---INFA     

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)