Politics of street violence
Fifteen days ahead of the schedule, the Winter Session of Odisha Assembly was closed sine die and the politics of the State came on to the street. BJP called for a 12-hour Bhubaneswar bandh demanding a foolproof police investigation into the murder mystery of Rishi which has its alleged link with BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena. The blue CD which has become viral has further substantiated the link. The bandh call, right or wrong, was to pressurize the Government to get its act together and ensure a thorough probe into the incident because there are plenty of incidents where the police have been casual in its approach if a party functionary is suspiciously involved. In the absence of tangible proof, the BJD supremo, heading the Home department, is allegedly shielding his party general secretary. As its fallout, the commotion now is intensified and unmanageable. The opposition parties are taking to the streets for a show of strength which is quite expected. But the ruling party giving a goahead signal to its youth wing bearing sticks to oppose the bandh has sent a wrong signal. The incident has left a big scar on the ruling party, let alone the police.
Smart City without airport
The recent Delhi visit of a delegation of the Rourkela Chamber of Commerce (RCC) and meeting with nine Central Ministers is marked with a note of optimism. But knowing the Ministers and their tantrums, one should not be swayed away by their words and consolation. Therefore, RCC president Sunil Kayal exuding a high level of optimism during a Press meet held here on December 21 is likely to evaporate sooner than later. Kayal should not be made to believe that Ministers he met are all sacrosanct. When the delegation met the Union Civil Aviation Minister, it was revealed that Rourkela is among 200 cities to have acquired a place in the air map of the country. The Ministry is said to be looking for someone who can successfully participate in the bid for an airport to be built at Rourkela. Owing to lack of potential business opportunity, the airlines may not express their interest for running the business. But the question is whether Rourkela will be without an airport even after getting the tag of a Smart CityIJ What about the political parties who were trying to corner the credit of giving Rourkela the Smart City tagIJ
Dilip”s home turf
For Dilip Ray, his home turf Rourkela is the first priority and party interest is secondary. This is what he has said after inspecting the repair work undertaken to prevent the 55- year- old Bramhani bridge from an imminent collapse. He has also expressed his unhappiness for the scant regard shown to second bridge over the river announced by the PM. Almost two years on, the project work has not started up yet despite several petitions, representations and all modes of agitations by political parties and civil society bodies of all hues at Rourkela. According to available information, the technical bid for this project of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has already been opened. The financial bid will be opened on December 26. He shared this information with media while speaking on this issue right on the spot where necessary repair work was being undertaken. So, it is only after December 26 is the Ministry expected to sanction money for the project. The bridge is part of the four- lane concrete road connecting Barkot to Birmitrapur via Bonai. If Dilip”s words are taken seriously, then Rourkelities can heave a huge sigh of relief as the deal is on the verge of finalization. Conversion of IGH into a super specialty hospital with a medical college attached to it is another PM announced project for which SAIl is committed but the Ministry of Steel, according to the latest report, is searching for a capable entity to run the college and the hospital without any flaw. As such, both the projects are facing the “cup and the leap” situation.
Anti-alcohol activists
National president of lok Sevak Mandal Deepak Malabya in a meeting held in Dangapal of Kankadahada block of Dhenkanal on Friday made a worthwhile comment on liquor ban saying that mahishasura (liquor) can be subdued if Goddess Durga (woman power) is invoked. He committed the omnipresence of his organization to back such a move in his speech. It is possible to eradicate the menace from society through non-violence means. Yes! It is possible, but that will depend on a strong political will by the Government. The joint committee of Dangapal block is convinced that the women activists of the area will achieve their goal and this block will become the model block for rest of the State in converting Odisha into a dry State. In a recent verdict of the Supreme Court, the Chief Secretaries of all States have been asked to shift the wayside liquor shops, bars etc to a distance of 500 meters from the National Highways. If the Government desires, a good number of liquor shops would close their shutters. Section 47 of the Indian Constitution provides that it is the primary duty of the State to discourage sale and consumption of alcohol from health and nutrition point of view. In the PESA Act meant for the tribal dominated areas, gram sabhas have been authorized to exercise control on sale and consumption of liquor. Seven districts of the State in full and six in part come under the tribal sub plan area of the state. Had the Excise Act been implemented in these areas, 119 blocks which come under the range would have become liquor free by now. late Chief Minister Biju Patnaik had partly declared the State “dry” with strict adherence to the Act. His worthy son and incumbent CM Naveen Patnaik who habitually takes his father”s name at the drop of a hat, is perhaps not keen to implement the Act for reasons best known to him.