Babu’s surrender
It is commonly observed that Babus vie among themselves to get seated in plum government assignments. The Excise Commissioner is one such post normally helmed by most influential of the officers. Weird it may sound, the present incumbent on the supposedly lucrative post is requesting the government to abdicate him from the responsibility of running the money spinning department. This particular Babu known for his uprightness was handpicked by none other than the head of state government as he wanted to put a check on the powerful liquor mafia ruling the roost in the department and bring its working in order. As expected, the nexus of tainted officials saddled in influential positions and those having shoddy business interests felt uncomfortable with this officer. The influential liquor lobby became active to replace him but since the Commissioner was specially sent by the highest office of state administration, their designs failed. After failing in the bid to oust him the lobby started working on plan ‘B’; which involved making things difficult for the Babu. Some junior officers of the department were transferred without the consent of the commissioner. To make things more difficult for the officer, a negative feedback to the minister concerned was regularly sent. Cornered from all sides, an exasperated Babu has made up his mind to call it quits from the department considered as a virtual milch cow for the government due to the huge revenue generated by it.
Problem of Plenty
The State Government is dithering to fill the vacant posts of Information Commissioners (IC) in State Information Commission (SIC) due to exceptionally large number of aspirants. It is learnt that there are as many as 139 prominent personalities in contention for two posts in the SIC. The list of aspirants includes half a dozen retired IAS officers, many prominent journalists and other influential persons. To add to the woes of the government, the influential contenders are lobbying hard to secure the coveted assignment. Oddly enough, the list has many names that don’t have any connection however distant with the Himalayan state which makes it crystal clear that their only intention is just grab these coveted posts on the basis of their ‘right’ connections only. This delay in appointments precipitating out of a virtual ‘Tug of War’ among the contenders is creating problems for the common people as shortage of ICs- the SIC at present has only one IC whose term is also ending in June this year- has resulted in pilling up of appeals in the commission. The SIC created out of the constitutional obligation under the Right to Information (RTI) act of 2005 caters the cases of appeals involving non fulfillment of provisions under the RTI Act.
Missing Netas
Apart from creating a mess of the city due to piling up of garbage which is tormenting the denizens and visitors alike, the strike of sanitation workers in the provisional state capital has also exposed the Netas who on the occasions like Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan jump to have a photo opportunity while holding a big broom in hand to show their pretended concern towards sanitation. These ubiquitous Netas of all hues are nowhere in picture as holding a broom during this critical position would involve actual cleaning of the garbage which is an impossible task for these shams. Instead of standing up with the residents of the city in the period of crisis, these Netas are attending the protests of the sanitation workers to express their solidarity with the protesters who are actually holding the city to ransom by converting the beautiful city into a virtual garbage pit. The support of these Netas has emboldened the protesting workers and subdued the administration from taking strict action against them. A meek administration has so far refrained from adopting curative measures like deploying new workers and large scale clearing up of the mess. Hope the people of the city would remember this vanishing act of these Netas when they will appear before them to seek votes.