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Round The States
New Delhi, 24 March 2011
Caste Politics To
Fore
West Bengal Hit By Bug
By Insaf
West Bengal is the latest State to be bitten by
the caste bug. Arch rivals CPM and Trinamool Congress are both trying to woo a
Hindu sect, dominated largely by one caste, Namasudra. The Motua sect amongst
it accounts for nearly 30 lakh votes in 70-odd constituencies spread across the
State. The two parties are busy showering many gifts, including money for
renovating temples, setting up degree colleges and railway stations et al. Not only that. Over the last one year, both
parties have caused a split in the family that heads the sect. While the head
of the sect is firmly in the CPM’s corner, his younger brother is contesting
the Assembly election on a Trinamool ticket. While the Trinamool Chief Mamata
Banerjee has even gone to the extent of calling herself a Motua, a struggling
CPM needs every caste vote it can garner. Who will the caste God bestow his
blessings on, is a big question mark!
In Tamil Nadu too, regional titans
DMK’s Karunanidhi and the AIDMK’s Jayalalitha are busy playing the caste card
by roping in new unknown outfits to garner votes. The DMK has roped in the PMK,
a Party of the numerically strong Most Backward Class Vanniyar community which
comprises 30% of the population in the north region. As also the re-incarnated
Dalit Panthers of India, VCK which wields influence among the Paraya dalit
sub-text. Alongside, in the west it has wooed the KMK, a new party formed by
the influential Gounders caste to solicit about 40% of the Kongu region’s vote
bank, tied up with the MMK to gain support of the Thevars in the South and the
IUML for Muslim votes. Jayalalitha is not far behind. The AIDMK has netted
AIMMK, a Thevar off-shoot, a MMK splinter group along-with another Thevar
organization PDK. Also aligned with her is the newly founded AISMK floated by
actor-politician Sarathakumar. In the north she has allied with the Vanniyar
Federation and in the west, an AIDMK stronghold, she has sown a pact with the
TNIKP. For the Muslims she is relying on the MMK. Whether these tie-ups would
help is anybody’s guess?
* * * *
AFSPA To Continue
in J&K
Jammu & Kashmir’s much-maligned Armed Forces Special
Power Act (AFSPA) which has been a bone of contention between the Union
Ministries of Home and Defence has hit another road block. The Omar Abdullah
Government has decided against acceding to the Home Ministry’s request to bring
some areas out of the purview of the Disturbed Areas Act to ensure security
forces don’t enjoy AFSPA cover any longer. The State’s reluctance stems from
its fear that in the eventuality of any trouble after the Act is withdrawn, the
Army might not agree to intervene. With the initiation of the process of
holding Panchayat elections and a difficult summer on the horizon, the
NC-Congress Government does not want to take any chances. Specially against the
backdrop of ex-militants turning up as hired guns in the Valley to disrupt the
poll. Notwithstanding, Hurriyat hardliner Gilani’s statement that it would not
go in for prolonged strikes to ensure that tourism is not hit, as it was last
year thanks to months of stone pelting mobs.
* * * *
President Lauds
Bihar
Bihar’s Nitish Kumar has added feathers
to his Chief Ministerial cap. No less than President of India Pratibha Patil
lauded him for giving 50 per cent reservation to women in Panchayats. Speaking
at the 100th year of Bihar
Divas she asserted that Bihar was “one of the first States to empower
women.” A pleased Chief Minister reciprocated by stating that it is “mandatory
to become a good Bihari before becoming a good Indian citizen.” Importantly,
Nitish Kumar once again reiterated his demand for special category status for
Bihar and accused the Centre for its ‘delaying tactics’. It remains to be seen
whether Patil will carry his refrain to the corridors of power in New Delhi.
* * * *
Jharkhand For CBI
Probe
The controversial MLA and MP Local Area Development Fund has
raised a storm in Jharkhand. Wherein, a District Collector has requested the
State Government to initiate a CBI inquiry into what he alleged was bungling
worth crores of rupees in the purchase of solar streetlights. Most
scandalously, the lights were procured in different constituencies at costs
higher than the market rate from only one company. Acting promptly on the
Collector’s complaint, the Deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Mahto has ordered
immediate identification of the officials involved who acted on the recommendations
from various MLAs and MPs. Predictably, the owner of the firm that supplied the
lights has refused to comment and the Right Honourables have turned a blind
eye. What next?
* * * *
Bamboo Trade For
Tribals
Tribals across all States are happy following the
Environment and Forest Ministry’s decision to treat bamboo as a minor forest
produce thus allowing tribals to take part in the Rs.10,000 crore annual trade.
The Union Minister Jairam Ramesh recommended that complete rights over bamboo
trade be given in areas where tribals and other community rights had been
recognized. Till now, the forest officials held a monopoly control on the
trade. The Forest Departments of all States have been asked to give Gram Sabhas
the right to issue transit passes to transport bamboo in areas designated as
community forest resources under the Forest Right Act, 2006. Will the States
heed the Ministry diktat?
* * * *
Solar Energy Fad In
UP
Solar energy is the latest style statement in power deprived
regions of Eastern UP and Bihar. In the last two years, the demand for solar
photo voltaic systems in 45% rural habitat areas without power supply, has
doubled from 5000 units a year as they generate enough power to run a TV, water
pumps and fans. In the Sunderbans over 50 house-holds have joined hands to
install and maintain a solar power electricity system. Whereby a cooperative
society runs, manages and even collects monthly bills from villagers.
Importantly, such is the success of the solar electrical systems that they are
springing up in remote areas of Uttarakhand, North-East and the poor regions of
Bundelkhand. This is not all. Indeed, these solar panels are such a hit that
they have become an addition in the dahej
list to woo prospective bridegrooms! ----- INFA
(Copyright, India News and Feature
Alliance)
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