Chief Minister Harish Rawat grappling with scams galore that befall Devbhoomi at regular intervals is conspicuously reluctant to take the bull by the horns, runs the refrain among the common people. "Hard on the heels of the disaster scam has come the liquor scam. One wonders what would follow now. Though they are blemishing his own image and that of his government CM is singularly unwilling to clear the proverbial Augean stables," said an aggrieved citizen from the city.
An observer said the people had expected the CM to deal with such grafts firmly after the disaster scam that involved crores, meant to provide succour to the deluge-ravaged people, came to light.
“But unfortunately, CM proved as apathetic as ever. Being the head of the State, it is his duty to fix responsibility of scarce public money that is being embezzled or squandered away. It is baffling why he is wanting to not make this serious issue intoa non-serious one as the present situations want him to come down heavily to stop such misappropriation of Government funds from recurring. The routine probe by the Chief Secretary into the disaster scam is a sham. The same is repeating in the liquor scam too,” said an observer said.
The disaster scam, in particular, seems to have stunned the people who were left destitute by the fury of nature a little over two years ago.
CM remaining apathetic to deal with such momentous grafts is indeed baffling. “It has doubtless weakened his position politically. He was catapulted to the saddle of the State Government because of the raging anger among the victims and others over the apathy of his predecessor to their plight. He seized the opportunity and proved himself as a sensitive politician with his roots running deep in the public psyche. But now his image has taken a beating,” said an observer.
He may complete his tenure as Chief Minister, taking the challenges coming his way in his stride. But the scams following one another at frenzied pace would make it tough for him to face the people, seeking their mandate, when the next hustings would be upon him.
“Even plethora of social welfare sops might not come in good stead,” said a political analyst.