The ingenious MlA
Aphorism runs–one who is happy with whatever he gets and lives within his means suffers from a lack of imagination. However, the Congress MlA from Tharali Jeet Ram is neither unimaginative nor is he happy with whatever he gets. A lecturer from a college, the present-day legislator from the constituency in Garhwal draws salary from the college and travelling/ medical and other perks from the Assembly. Prof Ram does not seem to have any qualm on this count despite the Opposition screaming that an MlA cannot receive money from two places. Unfazed, he has defended himself, saying that the UP University Act under whose jurisdiction the universities and colleges in Uttarakhand fall has made things clear. There is no bar for one associated with any academic institution running under the overarching act to be a member of any legislative body, be it Parliament or Assembly. The only condition is that he or she will have to seek leave from the institution concerned during the session. Seemingly bamboozled with the MlA and the Opposition taking contradictory stances, the State Government has thought it wise to tuck the matter to the courtyard of the legal department. With things likely to hang fire for some time, it is certain that the MlA would keep on getting fattened from both the sources.
Fallacy of Democracy
Winston Churchill, an incorrigible autocrat, once commented disparagingly that a five-minute conversation with the average voter would turn out to be the best argument against democracy. However, a democrat per excellence, Uttrakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat sets great store by connecting his government with the mass of the people. This is why he has opened the gates of his official residence for all and sundry. They are allowed to come, meet the CM and ventilate whatever grievances they might have. Five to six rooms have been kept there for them to wait. But what is happening after these is that most of the visitors return home annoyed with the CM. They come early. However, they have to wait for one or two hours before their turn come up. With time ticking by, the CM wraps things up abruptly by meting them together. Unable to talk to the CM, they perforce submit applications and return, gloomy-faced.