No work just politics in Himachal, says Manjeet Sehgal
The tussle between Himachal Pradesh's two most powerful politicians has become murkier after the Centre hurled a money laundering charge at Virbhadra Singh.
Either does Himachal Pradesh have a mosquito problem nor is there an outbreak of malaria in the state. Even so Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal and are so fascinated by the tiny insect their parlance these days has to include mosquitoes The tussle between Himachal Pradesh's two most powerful politicians has become murkier after the Centre hurled a money laundering charge at Virbhadra Singh.The state assembly is in session these days but the Opposition didn't allow the House to function demanding the CM's resignation. They argued that he had quit as Union Minister in 2012 when corruption charges were leveled against him and he should thus also resign now till he is cleared of the fresh allegations.
Perturbed by the Opposition's demand, Virbhadra Singh said some sections of the Centre were doing their best to implicate him. He added though that he did not want to name anybody. When questioned about the role of former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and his son Anurag Thakur, the chief minister termed them as 'mosquitoes.'
"I am not afraid of mosquitoes and both are mosquitoes as their bite is like a mosquito bite," Virbhadra Singh said last week.
Prem Kumar Dhumal was quick to reply. Mediapersons were outside Singh's house when BJP members including him were shouting slogans, and asked Dhumal to react to Virbhadra's "mosquito barb." His reply was caustic. "The chief minister should be careful about mosquitoes as they spread malaria."
It didn't end there. Mosquitoes continued to haunt both the leaders in the coming days. When BJP leaders repeated the demand for Singh's resignation the chief minister once again remembered his "mosquito bite." While terming the BJP's demand and actions as "shameful," Singh added, "If I had been a mosquito killer chief minister, I would have not spared the 'mosquitoes.'"
Virbhadra Singh.
Clearly, the insect was biting its way into the centre of Himachal's politics. The "mosquito incident" is but one example of the fierce animosity Singh and Dhumal have for one another. Apart from the recent Lok Sabha elelctions both leaders were at dagger's drawn during the 2012 assembly elections with a war of words.
The rivalry is conting the state dear. The 16-day Monsoon session of the state assembly started last week but the Opposition's war against Virbhadra Singh has ensured no business can be conducted. The session had been planed till August 29 but it seems to be heading for a washout like the previous budget session. The BJP had boycotted that session too. Singh has termed the Opposition's behaviour as "unfortunate" and has blamed Dhumal for forcing the government to adjourn the assembly sine die.
"Dhumal is using the entire party to meet his political ambitions. Opposition had crossed all levels of decency. Opposition members should learn the traditions to be followed in the assembly. The government will not buckle under the pressure created by the BJP. No one can be allowed to dictate terms," Singh said. Dhumal dis agreed. Heated exchanges between the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition say both blaming the other for killing the session.
"Cases are pending against Dhumal and his son Anurag Thakur in a Dharamshala court.We also have a lot to say but we honour the House and its members." Singh said.
In response, Dhumal challenged the CM to discuss any of his cases in the House so thye truth could come out. He said he had promised the Speaker that he would not discuss the subjudice money laundering cases of Virbhadra Singh and the revelations by the Income Tax Department on Singh's revised IT returns reported in the media.
"I request the CM learn how to take criticism. The CM's statement to us are condemnable. But we are maintaining calm," Dhumal said.
Haryana's education system has hit a snag. Staticis show that there were 1.10 lakh school dropouts between 2008 and 2013. These children stopped going to government schools as the state government failed to distribute free books and school uniforms sponsored by the Centre under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme.
The Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) report has highlighted the carelessness of the state education department officers. It says this lackadaisical attitude resulted in the wastage of public funds worth `5.90 crore. Sources in the government claim books and uniforms were not distributed timely as suppliers violated deadlines. "The officers who were responsible for the distribution and printing of books even failed to add the requisite tender qualifications which resulted in wastage of funds," a source said.
According to the CAG report the state government had enrolled 14.55 lakh students in 2008 which were reduced to 13.44 lakh in 2013. The state government had also found 1.25 lakh children who were not attending any school.
These shocking statistics go against the SSA scheme, which was to enrol all such students in state government schools. The state was given `15.12 crore by the Centre to enrol such children who never attended a school.
Interestingly enough, the state government failed to utilise the SSA funds and only spent `1.23 crore out of `15.12 crore between 2008 to 2013. This is being attributed as to one of the reasons for the large number of school dropouts. The CAG has also expressed concern over teacher vacanies. There are 18,383 vacancies in state schools which is costing both students and their parents.
Geetika Sharma haunts Gopal Kanda online
It's been two years since the former air hostess of defunct MDLR Airlines Geetika Sharma committed suicide and accused the MD of the defunct airlines Gopal Kanda for abettment to suicide and sexual harassment. Kanda was forced to quit as Haryana's Home Minister and had to spend one-and-a-half years in jail. He was granted a conditional bail on March 4, 2014.
Kanda, an independent MLA, had withdrawn support to the state's Congress government in May this year. He launched his political outfit Haryana Lokhit Party on the next day and started campaigning for the assembly elections. Since then Kanda launched severe on state Congress leaders but strangely so fa they have remained silent for reasons best known to them. They have neither objected to Kanda nor highlighted the controversies related to him.
But not everyone is keeping quiet. Avantika Makan Tanwar, wife of Haryana Congress chief Dr Ashok Tanwar, has launched a social media campaign against Gopal Kanda seeking justice for Geetika Sharma. Sharma had ended her life on August 5,2012. 'Fight for Justice Fight for Geetika' is the name of the campaign which Avantika has now launched on Facebook. Avantika also attacked Gopal Kanda for his party's slogan 'Har Nari Ko Shiksha, Suraksha va Samman' (Education, Security and Honour for every woman). Criticising Kanda, Avantika has publically asked him what type of honour and security had he given to Geetika Sharma and her mother who also committed suicide later.
"Do you remember Geetika Sharma - Mr Gopal Kanda. You know what honour you gave to her," said Avantika in one of the graphics, which are part of her campaign . Sources believe Avantika is venting her anger against Kanda who on July 31 attacked Dr Ashok Tanwar and accused him of snatching a ministrial berth from him.
Avantika Tanwar has not been available for comment on the issue. However by raising the Geetika Sharma issue many feel she has done what the Congress should have done. As she says in another post, "A person, accused of sexual harassment and abetment to suicide is now talking about the honour and security of a woman by launching a political party. Dirty politics."