The rule of law is the governing principle of a democracy. Its proper applicability and enforcement manifests its merits, utility and eminence. But it is obvious that the present BJD Government headed by Naveen Patnaik protects interest of the politicians belonging to the party in power, bureaucrats and the rich and famous.
The Taskforce appointed by the Government under the chairmanship of senior bureaucrat Taradatt to conduct inquiry into the Discretionary Quota (DQ) allotments of houses and land from January 1995 has revealed a lot of irregularities and inconsistencies in the allotment of Government land and flats by the BDA, CDA, GA Department and State Housing Board under the DQ. In a democratic system adhering to an egalitarian concept, there is no place of discretion. Power of discretion abets and inspires corruption and exploitation. Naveenbabu, who swears to preserve honesty and transparency in administration, has failed in upholding the principle of justice and fairness.
The State Cabinet on December 19 last, accepting the recommendation of the Taskforce report, had cancelled about 6,000 plots, flats and houses including 1,791 under the DQ allotted to different politicians, bureaucrats and rich and famous from 1995. It is further reported that the Vigilance department would conduct inquiry into gross and crass irregularities regarding allotment of plots, flats and houses exclusively.
The Chief Minister appears to remain apathetic towards the irregularities in the allotment of land and houses to various VIPs other than under the DQ. It is true that general public of low positions and lower middleclass people have not been allotted such houses and plots by the BDA, CDA, GA Department and OSHB.
It is not that these classes could not afford the required funds to purchase lands and houses. But the authorities in different organisations which allotted the assets had resorted to manipulation and trickery to prevent ordinary people from the allotment. The ambition of the lower middle class for minimum assets in Bhubaneswar has been undermined and ignored by the pro-politician policy adopted by the Government organisations in charge of allotment.
The rules and principles contained in the concerned Brochure has not been carefully carried out in case of powerful politicians and bureaucrats The BDA has adopted first-come-first-serve policy which was not found in the Brochure as pointed out by the Taskforce. Even it has not advertised about new housing schemes in prominent newspapers. In some cases, advertisements of housing schemes have been published six months after the receipt of the applications. Is it not miscarriage of justice since it is not impartially and fairly dispensedIJ
n The deplorable and distressing conditions of farmers in Odisha merit no elaboration. In spite of gift of nature of 480 km of coastal region and favourable conditions, agriculture suffers serious setback. WhyIJ The State Government, even if it realises the basic problems which the farmers are confronting, is not taking appropriate steps to do away with them. The farmers are lacking infrastructural facilities like irrigation, power, improved seeds, fertilisers, modern methods of cultivation and proper training by experts. Agricultural officers posted in the districts and blocks never visit vital rural areas to suitably instruct the unskilled farmers how to get high production of crops.
Small and marginal farmers who own less than five acres of land constitute 85 per cent of the State’s farming population. They produce foods mostly for themselves and control 46 per cent of the farming lands and contribute 52 per cent of grains to the State. They would be able to increase productive capacity of the lands under their possession if proper guidance and required infrastructural facilities are given.
No doubt, to meet financial needs, some banks grant loans to well-to-do farmers for various crops, but in most cases production is not enough to repay the loans incurred. Some poor farmers due to failure of crops commit suicide being unable to repay the loan incurred from different sources including moneylenders.
While insurance schemes have been introduced and popularised in other States, the Government of Odisha has not taken effective steps to highlight it. In many cases, payment of insurance premiums by poor farmers becomes difficult. So, grant of subsides is absolutely necessary. While the national average contribution of agricultural production to the GDP is 14 per cent, Odisha at best contributes 10 per cent from this sector. The Chief Minister seems to have no desire and political will to pay heed to improving agriculture and eradicating tragedies of farmers.
In such a situation, people of Odisha are migrating to other States as bonded labourers for their livelihood. Their miseries are frequently reported in media. Their sordid conditions at workplaces like slaves are heartrending. It is really a shame and disgrace for Odisha and its Government. Had the agriculture sector in the State been well-developed, these labourers would not be migrating elsewhere. Rural life would prosper and flourish with developed agriculture.
n The Naveen Patnaik Government is busy formulating and implementing populist policies. The Chief Minister understands little that these programmes cannot contribute to the real development of the State. The Aahar scheme, for example, is not an ideal programme. In its bid to appease the poor, the Government takes such expedient populist steps instead of formulating policy to do away with hunger, misery and poverty on a permanent basis. The beneficiaries receiving essential commodities at subsidised prices would be perennially dependent upon the State. Can the State bear the financial burden permanentlyIJ
One important lapse on the Chief Minister’s part is that he avoids interacting with the ordinary people including farmers. Not being well-versed in Odia is no real barrier for him, but what is important is his attitude.
(The writer is a columnist and a regular contributor to the letters to the Editor domain)