Round The States

New Delhi, 27 August 2015  

Muslim Populace Rises

AGENDA IN POLL STATES?

By Insaf

The increase in the Muslim population in the country may well stir up passion in the country, specially three States which are due to go to the polls. This is so as the timing of the release of the Census 2010 data on Religious Communities has raised many an eyebrow. Though it was all ready some seven months ago, it was released only close to the Bihar Assembly elections. Two other States, which have a sizeable increase in the Muslim population, Assam and West Bengal will be going to polls next year. The fall in Hindu population by 0.7 per cent or dipping below to 80 per of the population may further whip of sentiments in these days of ‘ghar wapsi’ and rise of Muslim political parties. For one, Assam would find it more difficult not to act upon the illegal migrants from across Bangladesh. Its share of Muslim population has increased from 30.9 per cent to 34.2 per cent and there are nine districts out of 27 that are Muslim majority. Likewise, in West Bengal the share went up from 25.2 per cent to 27 per cent and there are three districts where the Muslims outnumber the Hindus. In Bihar, the number is up by one per cent. While the story is the same in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Karnataka, the three poll-bound States will provide a hint as to how our parties, well-known for indulging in crass vote-bank politics will seek to use the census to their advantage. The division, it is feared will unfortunately grow.

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States’ Onion Crisis

Onions are giving State governments a run for their money! Many are going out of their way to ensure that the shortage and skyrocketing prices does not affect their popularity with the aam admi. With heavy rains damaging the crops and traders/farmers hoarding the vegetable, the mainstay of Indian food, prices have shot up to Rs 70-80 per kg! While the Centre has started importing the vegetable, States have made special arrangements to offer onions at a special rate of Rs 20-50 a kg. A few examples are noteworthy: West Bengal is selling these at stalls for Rs 50 but only half a kg per person; Delhi has mobile vans selling at Rs 30; Maharashtra is selling through PDS. However, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh take the cake. They are selling onions at Rs 20 per kg at the farmers markets. But one has to show an ID card/Aadhar card/Voter ID to get no more than two kgs and the finger of the buyer is inked so he doesn’t take more than his quota! At this time, the voter would be more than happy to get it done and not crib about the long queues.

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Bengaluru Setback For Cong

Karnataka has given a tense BJP some relief in the run-up to Bihar Assembly elections. It is going to town over its victory in the civic polls--Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagre Palika, where it has ruled since the past five years. While it has got a clear majority, 100 seats of 195, its tally was better in 2010 (112 seats). And though its return is being celebrated with much gusto, the ruling Congress, obviously embarrassed, can find solace in the fact that it performed better this time—from 64 to 76 seats. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would have to do some explaining to the party high command as this is the first time in 30 years that a ruling party has been defeated in a civic poll! Add to this, the Government running roughshod to trifurcate the Bengaluru Council, without taking into account that people in the country’s IT capital were not in favour of it. While he may say that the results cannot be considered a referendum against his government, he would need to put his house in order, as dissent would obviously be growing. 

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Maharashtra’s ‘Criminal’ Cops

Maharashtra needs to rein in its men in khaki. The State has the dubious distinction of having maximum number of policemen booked for criminal cases last year. Not only are they partners in crime but also sadly top the charts for having the highest rate of acquittals in criminal cases, thus putting a big question mark on their calibre. The disturbing picture is drawn not by Mumbai’s Bollywood industry but by the National Crime Records Bureau. It so happens that every fifth policeman accused in a criminal case was from the State in the national tally. Of the 2398 cases reported nationally, 487 were recorded from Maharashtra, followed by Gujarat with 417 cases and Kerala in third position (117 cases). The State is also the worst in securing conviction of criminals and sending them to prison. It has the highest rate of acquittals in criminal cases, touching 91.8 per cent in 2011. Between 2011-13, the State police succeeded in convicting only 32,462 out of a total number of 3,13,111 cases whose trial was over, thus acquitting persons in 2,80,649 cases. Wonder whether Chief Minister has the men in Khaki in his anti-corruption agenda?

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Gujarat On Boil

Politics of caste-based reservations once again raises its ugly head. This time in Gujarat, throwing a big challenge to Chief Minister Anandiben Patel. The State is on the boil with the OBC quota agitation by Hardik Patel bringing Ahmedabad city to a grinding halt, as threatened. However, the situation went out of hand and 9 lives were lost in violence across the State and the Army called in. While Anandiben is putting up a tough posture and refuses to yield, the administration would need to tread cautiously. More so, as it failed miserably in its assessment of the mood that Hardik whipped up amongst the ‘powerful’ community. Importantly, the police must be restrained as in some places like Surat, Rajkot, Patan and Ahmedabad its brute force triggered violent reactions. Prime Minister Modi has had to step in. He has appealed for calm and peace in the State he had ruled. Will his charm work? Developments need to be closely watched.

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Chhattisgarh’s Peon Dilemma 

Imagine graduates, postgraduates and engineers applying for a peon’s job! While it does sound preposterous, such is the case in Chhattisgarh. It has left the directorate of economics and statistics dumbfounded as it received 75000 applications for 30 posts of peons advertised. While the requisite qualification was ‘Class 5 Pass’ for the Grade-D post which would fetch a monthly pay packet of Rs 14,000, the response surpassed expectations. Among the 70,000 applications received online and another 5000 by post, there were several from postgrads in science and arts and even engineers. The sheer numbers forced the directorate to cancel the test as it wasn’t prepared for it. It now gets down to making arrangements to conduct the test in the next few months. Not only should this be an eye opener for Chief Minister Raman Singh, but New Delhi too. It underscores the national unemployment crisis. Prime Minister Modi’s achche din  seem a far cry. ---INFA    

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)