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Round The States
New Delhi, 7 October 2023
AAP MP Latest On List
ED IN TOP GEAR
By Insaf
The Enforcement Directorate has got into top gear. The
latest to receive its wrath is Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in
connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Since 2014, there has been a
four-fold jump in ED cases against politicians with 95 per cent being from the
Opposition. On Thursday last a Delhi court remanded him to five-day ED custody.
This after he was arrested following over 10 hours of searches at his home. The
ED has alleged that Rs 2 crore illegal cash changed hands at Singh’s official
North Avenue residence and that he was a “key conspirator” in the case,
“closely associated with a number of accused/suspects”, including businessmen
Dinesh Arora, who has turned approver. Singh’s counsel said the ED probe “is
nothing new” and will go on and never end. Perhaps he may be right. For the ED
should view the Supreme Court’s observation in the money laundering case
against Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. On Thursday last, it underlined that
stringent requirements have to be fulfilled to trigger a charge under the PMLA
and questioned the ED about the admissibility of its evidence to link Sisodia
in the same case. The big question was does it have ‘any proof other than the
statement of a co-accused-turned-approver’. Importantly, a crucial question
should be raised why are the offences only taking place in Opposition-ruled
States. Are those governed by the BJP and its allies not corrupt and sparkling
clean?
* * * *
Bihar
Census
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has done it. On
Monday last, the government made public the controversial caste-based survey,
the Bihar Jaati Adharit Ganana just months ahead of the 2024 big battle.
Predictably, it would give him and his party an edge, as it reveals that the
OBCs comprise 63% of the State’s population-- backward classes constitute 27%,
whereas the extremely backward classes (EBCs) 36%. Remember, the powerful OBCs
have dominated State politics since the Mandal wave. Nitish has said that the
census would aid in the government’s initiatives for the development and
upliftment of all sections as it provides information about the economic condition
of everyone. That should be welcome, but it should not be used to score
political brownie points with the BJP.
‘Social justice’ should be the target and. Importantly, the Supreme
Court on Friday last refused to restrain the government from publishing further
data from the survey, saying it would be wrong to stop a state from making a
policy decision. All eyes would now be on the government what policies it gives
top priority to. Historic injustice must be removed to the poorest and there
should be a halt to polarisation to merely win elections.
* * * *
Sikkim Tragedy
It’s Sikkim’s turnnow to send warning signal to
governments against volatility of the Himalayan region. At least 19 people are
dead, 98 people, including 22 Army personnel missing after a cloudburst over South
Shonak Lake, glacial body in early hours of Wednesday last,triggering a flash
flood. While over 2000 people have been rescued, the calamity has affected
22,034 people, including 3000 tourists, according to SDMA. The swelled Teesta
river has destroyed 11 bridges, water pipelines, sewage lines and 277 houses in
the four affected districts, and over 9000 people have taken shelter in 191
relief camps in northern and southern districts of Bengal.Sadly, governments
continue to ignore warnings by studies of the Lake’s expansion due to glacial
melting and that it’s susceptible to breaches. It was recommended to regularly
monitor the Lake’s growth and assessment of the region’s slope stability.
Besides, ecologists warned against adverse dam construction. Instead, there’s
been a hydel power push, particularly in the north-east, claiming these are
climate friendly and a major source of revenue for the government. This recent
disaster should alert governments and they must take warnings seriously, put in
place safety mechanisms and remember a stitch in time saves nine!
* * * *
Maharashtra Govt Hospitals
The numerous deaths of patients at two government-run
hospitals Maharashtra sadly are yet another pointer to the ailing health
sector. In 48 hours, 31 patients, including several infants, died at Dr
Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College & Hospital in Nanded since September
30, and another 18 patients died at Government Medical College and Hospital at
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar between October 2 and 3. As usual the government
reacted saying it will take ‘appropriate action after a detailed inquiry.’ On
Wednesday last, Bombay High Court taking suo motu cognisance of the deaths said
reasons given by doctors of shortage of beds, staff, and essential medicines ‘cannot
be accepted.’True, but isn’t it the case typically. Interestingly, thegovernment
denies such shortage, but has no figures to share. Its Health Minister says,‘positive
changes’ will be brought in functioning of state-run medical facilities ‘in
four months.’ Words oft heard alright, but these can’t heal the pain of the
families of victims. Change will be when governments have empathy for the poor.
Asking for too much?
* * * *
MP Woos Women Voters
Ruling BJP-government in Madhya Pradesh is going all
out to woo women voters ahead of the ensuing 230-member Assembly elections. On
Thursday last, it announced amendment to the MP Civils Services (Special
Provision for Appointment of Women) Rules, 1997 to give 35% reservation to
women in all government jobs! The notification reads: “Notwithstanding anything
contained in any service rules, there shall be reserved 35% of all posts in the
service under the state (except Forest Department) in favour of women at the
stage of direct recruitment and the said reservation shall be horizontal and
compartment-wise.” Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at a rally also
announced 50% reservation for women in teaching posts and promised that education
fees of girls will be borne by government to ensure better education. Clearly, with
women accounting for 48% of the voters, the BJP wants to persuade them to press
on the party symbol button. Congress realises their importance too and has
promised Rs 1500 per month and domestic LPG cylinders at Rs 500 among others.
Predictably, the buck won’t stop here. Post polls it would be worthwhile to see
which of the two parties fared better.
* * * *
WB Protests
Ruling TMC has upped the ante against the Centre and ‘its
step-motherly treatment to West Bengal’. National General Secretary and supremo
Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee started a protest on Thursday last
outside Kolkata Raj Bhavan soon after having led a similar one, with MLAs and
ministers in tow earlier this week in Delhi againstalleged withholding of
MGNREGA funds. Governor Ananda Bose, which is in a running battle with TMC over
VCs appointments, has so far refused to meet a delegation. Banerjeeinsists and
warns demonstration will continue 11 am-9 pm daily and he would be at protest
site even during the night. Bose, he says is Centre’s representative and ‘owes
an explanation to people of Bengal.’The claim being Modi government has withheld
Rs 15,000 crore in dues to the State under MGNREGA and PM Awas Yojana. The BJP reacts
accusing TMC of indulging in ‘drama’, siphoning off Center’s money and deleting
over 25 lakh job cards. Plus, it threatens ordering a CBI probe.This spat too
like others promises to be ugly alright.----INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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