With decks cleared by the Orissa High Court in the election case filed by Prasanna Acharya who had lost the Bijepur Assembly seat by a slender margin to Subal Sahoo in 2014, the State Election Commission is all set to announce the election schedule for the by-poll but it would not do so before CM’s declaration of a few more sops not only for Bargarh but also in other western Odisha districts, namely Bolangir and Sundargarh.
His visit to Bolangir, another drought prone district of the State with rampant migration of labour to the neighbouring State Andhra Pradesh, is no less important as this is likely to affect BJD’s vote bank in Bijepur. This overdrive of the CM is well understood and coming as it did on the eve of the announcement for election, eye brows are raised inviting sharp criticism from the Opposition camp. Armed with the Government dispensation at his command, the CM doesn’t want to leave any area unexplored to woo the voters. The Election Commission’s impartial role has come into the domain of severe criticism as by delaying the process, the commission is alleged to be hand in glove with the ruling party. By far, even the innocent voters have come to question the election oriented moves of CM Patnaik. The CM, as advised by his coterie, will pull his last string in Bolangir followed by Sundargarh and only then will the Election Commission go for the official announcement of the schedule. We give 10 out 10 to the commission for its excellent time management giving a political leverage to the ruling party.
MlAs’ pay hike: Govt caught on wrong foot
If you (the MlAs) can hike your salary through a Cabinet decision and then get it voted unanimously in your favour, why dilly-dallying on our genuine strategic demandsIJ This is what the agitating Anganwadi Workers have questioned. This has become the bone of contention besides being strategic guideline for those who are sitting at the lower PMG on dharna demanding a pay hike. It began with Block Grant teachers, followed by the Anganwadi Workers and now a primary teachers’ stir is scheduled from November 1. The Anganwadi Workers, most of them women, were given a peanut rise in their salary but their agitation continued till recently as they wanted more. The ‘divide and rule’ policy adopted by the Government did not melt the ice. Now for the primary teachers the discrepancies of Sixth Pay Commission are to be sorted out first. Plus two CT teachers getting salary of matric CT teachers is an example of anomaly in the pay structure. By the time the Winter Session of the Assembly is on, the primary teachers’ stir is likely to assume an ominous proportion compelling the Government to meet their genuine demands. This agitation of primary teachers coupled with the Anganwadi Workers’ stir has far reaching electoral consequences especially ahead of the UlB election in 2018, followed by the general election the next year. It remains to be seen as to how far the Government sustains the pressure and goes for an amicable settlement with its employees in the grassroots level. Pay hike of MlAs and the Ministers, therefore, has wider ramifications with cascading effect down the line besides being a burden on the exchequer.
Pinaki praises Dharmendra to BJD’s chagrin
Never call a spade a spade in politics. If speaking truth in politics is a sin, than Pinaki Misra has committed that sin and he doesn’t bother as to what the spokespersons or the leaders of BJD say in reaction to his statement. He praised Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a “hardworking and competent” Minister for looking after his Ministry admirably. The BJD could not digest praise of Pradhan as he is the likely CM candidate of the BJP in Odisha and much before the official declaration he has become a threat to Naveen Patnaik’s 17- year- rule. Patnaik’s coterie has termed MP Misra’s pro-Pradhan statement as “anti-party”. It is worth observing, however, that Misra maintained his cool by not responding further to precipitate the issue and has kept his political friends and foes guessing. That he is getting closer to the BJP and may switch his allegiance soon will be a wild guess at this moment. His Chankya-like move on the chess board of Odisha politics, which is witnessing twist and turns on each passing day, has now become the bone of contention in political circle. Misra might have made up his mind to switch his allegiance to the BJP but any prediction at the moment will be hypothetical as he is keeping his cards close to his chest. Pradhan’ s comment, “people have already made up their mind to throw this government into the bay of Bengal and Puri will witness the new incarnation of BJP” is believed to have relevance with Misra’s compliments to Pradhan.
Stop black marketing of poor man's oil
Kerosene is no longer required to be sold through the control dealers. Supply of lPG cylinders to BPl households and power connection to villages under Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme, Biju Kutira Jyoti plan et al has reduced its requirement to a large extent. Owners of trucks and buses no longer mix kerosene with diesel as kerosene in black market is sold over Rs50 per litre, almost at par with diesel rate. Consumers do not buy kerosene and as such, when most of them do not lift their quota from their respective dealers, it is sold openly in black through BPl card holders. So, why encourage a group of people, mostly women, to be engaged through dealers and sell this item in blackIJ The dealers get kerosene at less than Rs16 but in black market the price is as high as Rs 50 or even more. This dirty game goes on right under the nose of the Government officials in charge of the public distribution system where corruption is rampant.