Boons showered on controversial Babu
When an incumbent Engineer-in-Chief retires, his successor or the second in command is usually promoted and the vacancy is filled up then and there to continue the official works uninterrupted. This policy of succession unless otherwise warranted by deviating circumstances is followed by the Government of the day. In Odisha, however, such ethics and principles of justice are thrown to the wind when it comes to favour somebody. That is how Nalini Kanta Pradhan, Engineer-in-Chief-cum-Secretary (Works) has got an extension of his tenure for one year with honorarium and perks protected after his normal retirement. Er Bijan Behera, the second in command, for no fault of his, was made the prey. Allegations against Pradhan are in plenty for ensuring funds for the ruling party. Behera becoming the sacrificial lamb in this case does not go down well in the corridors of power. A reward to somebody should not be at the cost of another. This thin line between the two should have been read through a magnifying glass before taking the harsh decision. Contractual posting is one thing, but delegating full powers to Pradhan which he was enjoying during his last tenure is something that has raised eyebrows. The issue warrants a high-level inquiry.
Mahanadi row: Now, from tribunal to ToR
The BJD is deliberately disrupting the proceedings of the Assembly is what the Opposition has alleged after staging a walkout recently in the Assembly. “When the protector turns predator, whom shall we approachIJ The protest by the ruling party indicates that it is mentally prepared to sit in the Opposition after next election,” leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said. The tribunal was constituted but without any terms of reference (ToR). Taking advantage of this, the Chhattisgarh Government is constructing barrage on the Mahanadi upstream. The Government is accused of disrupting the proceedings to avoid a discussion also on the alleged irregularities in paddy procurement in Kendrapada district because the ruling party cannot escape from the scam, slammed the Opposition. Both on Mahanadi row and the paddy procurement scam, the Opposition was ready for discussion but the ruckus created by the Treasury Bench itself on these issues forced the Speaker to adjourn the House time and again. Earlier on the day, the House witnessed noisy scenes amid slogan-shouting by the BJD Members even as Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Suryanarayan Patro was replying to a question. Without ToR, the tribunal is handicapped to deal with the Mahanadi issue and this has indirectly encouraged the BJP Government in Chhattisgarh to carry on its nefarious activities denying Odisha its rightful share of water especially in the critical summer months.
Rourkela: Justice delayed, not denied
Rourkela has miles to go before becoming a Smart City in true sense of the term. The much maligned PM’s promised projects- a second bridge over river Brahmani and a medical college and hospital, of late, have been considered feasible. Work for construction of the bridge will kick off soon after the alleged deliberate delay of 30 months for conversion of the forest land. The ball is now in the court of the Central Government for final clearance by the Ministry of Forest and Environment. This will vindicate local MlA Dilip Ray’s stand on these issues and pave way for smooth electioneering. But the third issue, important as well form Smart City point of view, is the air connectivity to Rourkela. After much dillydallying, the RSP authorities are believed to have agreed to hand over their air strip to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). If the available source of information is right, then the construction work to convert the airstrip into a fully fledged airport will start in the first of week of May. This augurs well for Rourkela which has an NIT of international stature, besides the BPUT and the Rourkela Steel Plant with a series of ancillary industries downstream. In addition, the upcoming medical college and hospital would require a lot of instant commuting facilities, which the new airport will provide. Justice delayed but seems not denied.
Kotia, Kunduli issues no more relevant
The Kotia issue was raised when Chandrababu Naidu was a partner in the NDA Government. The BJD in Odisha was entangled in the row for sometime but when started looking at the issue seriously, there was a silver line of hope for retaining the Panchayat in the administrative jurisdiction of the State. Andhra Government’s ulterior motive was questioned and Kotia Panchayat located in the Andhra border is gradually getting a facelift with development work in progress which is visible for all to see and cherish. In such a crucial time, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s warning to the Andhra Government against meddling in Kotia is nothing but to demonstrate his political one-upmanship. Question is naturally asked by his BJD counterpart as to where was he when Andhra CM was a partner of the NDAIJ Now when things are in right direction, the hue and cry for Kotia is seen as a political gimmick by him. Similar is the Kunduli incident which was hyped by the Congress party to gain political mileage out of it. Kunduli incident is heading towards discovering the myth of a love affair related story turned into a concocted one to gain political advantage. Dharmendra is again raking up the issue from the ashes of the victim by sympathizing her family in the name of justice. It is like giving injection to a dead mouse.