CM’s MANDUA, STATE’S HOPE
Chief Minister Harish Rawat harping on local hilly dishes being taken to the nook and corner of the state has finally started getting fruition on the ground after years of governmental dithering. Around 1000 people who savoured such dishes at the CM’s residence on November 9 on the occasion of the 16th state formation day looked elated being served with Mandua Ki Roti, Gehat Ki Dal and the like along with other north Indian dishes. Things proved different on earlier important occasions like two Assembly sessions held at Gairsain despite the CM championing the cause of cultivation of traditional crops like Jhangora, Mandua and Gehat since the time he was placed at the helm of the state affairs in February 20014. During the two Assembly sessions at Gairsain, north Indian (sans any Uttarakhand- specific item) and south Indian dishes were served in a blatant mockery of the CM’s pledge. However, the officials had claimed then that they would offer water, collected from local water resources, oozing out from the roots of Baanj (oak) trees. But it was reduced to lip-service as nothing followed the verbose commitment. However, things ruptured on a positive note on the state formation day this year with the traditional cuisines fresh from the hills were served to the invitees. CM’s vow being fulfilled on the ground reminds one of the tenure of the former CM Maj Gen Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri. Although Gen Khanduri did not talk about the hills the way the present CM is doing rather vociferously he ensured that the bakery biscuits, made up of Mandua, be served in the chief minister’s office (CMO) along with tea to the visitors or those residing there. In addition, locally made Namkeen was being served there during the ex- Army man’s reign. But now things matching with CM’s pledge on the ground might augur well for the hills as well as for the CM who is intent on being called the harbinger of the hill’s revival ahead of the crucial Assembly election slated in 2017.
Clinging to each other, but why
The State Government and the incumbent chief secretary Rakesh Sharma hanging together ‘excellently’, it is likely that the CS would be given another extension from the date the period of his first reappointment would end on January 31, 2016. The state government is now believed to be arming itself with the rationale of the likely second extension as the time he is slated to quit would have Ardh-Kumbh- scheduled to start on January 14 2016- going on in full swing. This despite the fact that Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the Central agency, cancelled the first extension given by the state government. The State Government thinks that the process taking months giving thus its time for further maneuverability. Notably, Sharma had officially retired on October 31, 2015 and was reappointed as the chief secretary tillJanuary 31, 2016 by an order from the Uttarakhand Government. However, many, having inside knowledge of the things, raise question over why the state government did not make Sharma the CS in October 2014 when things were favourable for that, given his seniority. But the Chief Minister Harish Rawat had opted instead for N Ravishankar who had returned just a day before the appointment. After his retirement, Sharma was appointed chief secretary on August 1, 2015 for three months as he was slated to retire on October 31 2015. In case the state government’s writ runs Sharma would serve as chief secretary till April 30 2016. Now, the question is-why the State Government seems to be almost hell-bent on retaining the incumbent CS for as long as possible. Had he been such a priceless asset why the CM had not blessed him with the coveted post of the CS way back in October 2014 as was expectedIJ Maybe, his usefulness has dawned on the State Government a bit too late. But why he is proving indispensable for the present dispensation is a question that definitely begs an answer.