Round The States
New Delhi, 18
December 2021
Pegasus
Scandal
SC PEEVED
OVER WB PANEL
By Insaf
West Bengal stretches
it too far or is it an oversight? Going by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s
style of functioning in all likelihood it would appear to be the former, but
the Supreme Court chose to give benefit of the doubt. On Friday last, a bench
headed by Chief Justice Ramana was displeased over the inquiry into Pegasus
scandal being conducted by West Bengal commission. This, when in an order of
October 27, it had constituted a three-member committee to probe the Pegasus
surveillance of journalists, politicians and social activists among others.
“What is this? Last time you (West Bengal government) had given an undertaking,
which we wanted to record, that the commission will not proceed. You had said
that it was not necessary to record in the order. Again you started inquiring,”
the bench noted. The State counsel explained it had conveyed the message of
restraint to the Lokur Commission, which did not proceed till delivery of
October 27 order. However, he added “I had said that I don’t control the
Commission but would convey the restraint. I conveyed the restraint and it was
up to the time till the court decides the matter…Simply call the counsel of the
commission and pass the orders and I cannot as the state government give
instructions…” The apex court understood the “State’s predicament” and ordered
it would issue notice to all concerned respondents and “for the time being we
stay all the proceedings.” Didi should thank her stars for getting away
lightly and must oblige.
* * * * * * *
Jharkhand Initiatives
‘Labour consulates’
and sports harnessing the youth, are initiatives Jharkhand government has taken
up to improve the State’s image. It has launched two schemes -- ‘Safe and
Responsible Migration Initiative’to enable systemic registration of migrant
workers for monitoring/analysis in the source and destination districts and ‘Sports
Action toward Harnessing Aspiration of Youth’to curb LWE and reach out to
youngsters, nurture sporting talents in districts, 19 of 24 affected.Youth in 14-19
age group from villages to ward level will be registered and given opportunities
to display their skills in basketball, volleyball, hockey and athletics; incentives
of cash prize and money for kits will be offered; a Sports Nursery will be set
up. For migrants two help desks, ‘labour consulates’are for starters set up in Ladakh
and Keralaand while administration says it’s not against migrations, the
pandemic gave a different side, which needs correction. Ending exploitative
means, predicting distress migration, increase social security and welfare
coverage will be the focus, as between March 27, 2020-October 31, 2021, 9.66
lakh workers returned to Jharkhand.Hemant Soren seeks to create an environment
where his ‘people can prosper’. Time will tell.
* * * * * * *
Bihar Rumblings
Rumblings within the
ruling combine in Bihar, JD(U)-BJP seem to be growing louder. Will there be a
parting of ways, is a question doing the rounds. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s
reiteration of the demand for special category status for the State evoked
anger in the saffron camp. His deputy, BJP Renu Devi described it as
“meaningless”, which drew Nitish to say she had “no detailed information” on the claimas
none other than NITI Aayog had placed Bihar among those at the bottom of
development indices in its latest report. No full stop. A BJP minister claimed the State was getting more Central
assistance than others, which again got a rebuttal. Another JD(U) minister hit
back saying it was so only as Finance Commission formula and that BJP must back its claim with
data! The bickering also resonated in Lok Sabha with a BJP MP and Union
Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh slamming Nitish government over the slow pace
of rural road projects under PMGSY: Rs 949-odd crore funds were “unutilised”. Are
these signs of BJP no longer wanting to be the B-team? In 2020 elections though
it got 74 seats, it chose to let Nitish retain the hot seat, despite JD(U) winning
only 43. While both sides claim there is no rift, guess both realise that it’s
the formidable RJD-led alliance which is actually keeping the marriage going.
Signs of its weakening may see the cracks leading to a crumble.
* * * * * * *
Kerala’s Big Tussle
Kerala’s tussle
between Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and CPM-led government is getting murkier.
Political interference in appointments in universities has become a hot potato
with the UDF Opposition demanding resignation of Higher Education Minister
Bindu. Letters written by her to Khan over re-appointment of Prof Gopinath
Ravindran as V-C of Kannur University for a second term have become public, and
worse the latter has threatened to resign as Chancellor of universities, which
is being seen as put ‘under pressure’ to violate laid down procedures in
appointments. The scandal refuses to ebb, given that Khan has alleged that as
Chancellor, he was forced to act against his conscience on the re-appointment
of Ravindran. The Minister clearly refuses to budge. In one letter she informs
Khan that steps have been taken to withdraw the notification inviting
applications for a new V-C and she has ‘privilege to propose’ Ravindran’s name.
In another, she wrote that Ravindran may be allowed to continue for another
term and asked Khan to cancel notification issued for appointment of a
search-cum-selection committee to identify the next V-C! The Opposition sees
the minister’s moves as “crossing the boundaries of power and violating the
oath of office.” It proposes to launch a state-wide stir plus approach the
Lokayukta seeking Bindu’s resignation. Will it change anything?
* * * * * * *
Karnataka’s
Distasteful Banter
Distasteful repartee
in Karnataka Assembly caught the Congress on the wrong foot. Surprisingly, it
was quick to get into damage control and ‘disapproved’the “exchange of highly
objectionable and insensitive banter” between its senior leader Ramesh
Kumar and Speaker Hegde Kageri. Kumar
had told Kageri, “There’s a saying… when rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy
it. That’s exactly the position into which you are.” Kageri merely laughed in
response!A red faced Congress tweeted: “Speaker as custodian and senior
legislators are expected to be role models & should desist from such
unacceptable behaviour.” Chairperson of National Commission for Women has too
reacted: “It’s extremely sad and unfortunate that we still have public
representatives who are misogynists and have horrible mindset towards women….It’s
really disgusting. If they sit in assemblies and speak like this how they must
be behaving with women in their lives? (sic).” In Lok Sabha Union Minister
Smriti Irani said: “If you (not naming the party) truly believe in women’s cause,
stand here and denounce that legislator…Those men who stand in this Well today,
go back to your political organisation and first bring to justice such a man,
then we will see who speaks for women and children in this country.”Back home, Congress
MLAs demanded an apology to ‘entire womanhood’ as ‘this is just NOT ok’. Kumar
yielded in the House: “I will not defend myself. I tender my sincere apology…” The
Speaker accepted it but “appealed to members, especially women MLAs, not to
drag the matter further and make it (a) big (issue).”No Sir, it’s a big issue--
mindsets must change!
* * * * * * *
Maha Bullock Cart Racing
Maharashtra is
relieved rather happy as the Supreme Court has waved the green flag to hold the
traditional bullock cart racing. On Thursday last, a two-judge bench noted: “One
country, one race, we need to have uniformity and there has to be one rule. If
the races are going on in other states, why should it not be allowed by
Maharashtra,” while dealing with the state government’s plea seeking permission
to conduct the race, as Bombay High Court had put a hold on it. The court
added: ‘It’s a traditional sport going on for several years. Judgment came and
it was stopped. Then amendment came and allowed in a regulated manner. If it is
a traditional sport and going on all across the country except Maharashtra, it
does not appeal to common sense.’ Recall in 2014, the apex court had given a
verdict wherein it banned Jallikattu, stating it amounted to cruelty to bulls
under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. However, it noted that Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka had amended the Act since 2014 to enable Jallikattu and bullock
cart races, and though these were challenged no order was passed, instead
referred to a Constitution bench. So the same yardstick must apply to
Maharashtra, which too amended the Act in 2017. Guess, the race shall go on
till the apex court shows the red flag, if and when. ---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
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