Sycophancy-led loyalty
The BJP in Odisha has made a good homework to make a dent into the BJD vote base. The latest being 30 lakh gas connections to BPl families in the next three years. This dispensation aims at wooing the women voters who are the direct beneficiaries. The BJD had so long pampered the SHG groups with doles given to them through different sources. Populist schemes were launched from time to time to appease and present Naveen Patnaik before them as their demi-god. BJP, of late, has targeted to destroy this vicious circle of the ruling State Government through Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan. That is the reason why BJD pressed the panic button of muscular aggression at Bargarh and the pun to be used was MlA Debesh Acharya who upped his ante with a momentary impulse of his sycophancy-led loyalty. This is a disease the BJD is gripped with, taking it to a menacing proportion these days. By showing black flags and stoning the Union Ministers’ cars, the ruling regional party has provided a win-win situation for its opponents. The BJP is seen using another weapon and that is the myth about rice at Re 1- a- kg. The subsidy, where the Centre has a lion’s share, is surprisingly coming to surface after three terms of BJD rule forcing BJD to commit more political blunders. The Bargarh incident needs a serious review as more political blunders may spell the doom for the BJD. Meanwhile, beleaguered MlA Debesh Acharya and his brother have moved the Orissa High Court for anticipatory bail.
Dr Motilal’s Ministerial link
Vigilance sleuths have detected huge fortunes of Dr Motilal Gouda. The detected assets are worth Rs 56 lakhs in his name. He was arrested from Andhra Pradesh where he was hiding in his maternal uncle’s home. The anti-corruption wing cops are also searching the premises of at least five pathological labs with which Gouda was associated having dubious deals. The suspended Assistant Director of Factories and Boilers was absconding ever since the Orissa High Court refused him anticipatory bail on June 24 and lifted the interim protection. He is now under judicial remand and the Crime Branch cops are expected to get a series of information about Dr Motilal and the empire he built around him by garnering assets through unlawful means. Ministers Arun Sahu and Pushpendra Singh Deo, a couple of MlAs and other politicians kept on protecting the golden goose for years and the reasons are obvious. It is to be verified whether there is any quid pro quo transaction. Excise Minister Damodar Rout has candidly admitted this as an administrative lapse for which the Government should own the responsibility. Dr Motilal’s criminal misconduct, corruption charges and his political link need a thorough probe. In the wake of a Ministerial reshuffle, this probe is further more significant for Chief Minister Patnaik.
Challenges for Nalco HR leader
With four years to go before calling it quits, Basant Kumar Thakur who assumed the office of Nalco Director (HR) on last Monday has a stupendous task ahead. Having come from the steel major SAIl, his first priority will be to show his steely determination to lift the morale of the executives. The Nalco is undoubtedly the corporate leader of the State, and Thakur’s induction to the Nalco Board is expected to strengthen the company. The second challenge will be to keep pace with the galloping horse Tapan Kumar Chand, who has within a short span of taking over the leadership, put the flagship company on a high note with his wings flown to Iran to start a lucrative project coinciding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. This overseas engagement has brought more laurels for this Navratna company of which Thakur is now a part.
RSP quarters bonanza row
Suppressing information breeds misunderstanding. These golden letters are true for all ages from the PR point of view. But all ethics of the PR profession are thrown to wind so far as RSP is concerned. When there is a hue and cry on the whimsical allotment of quarters not only in respect of the scribes but also to other socio-cultural organisations of the steel township, is it not worth demanding an inquiry especially when there are a slew of media reports in support of the rowIJ But the third floor of the administrative block (CEO Secretariat) maintains a stunning silence as if all is well. The trust deficit created between the organisation and the media must be bridged in the public interest. The choice before the RSP is whether the issue is allowed to be taken by the media to its saturation point or nipped in the budIJ