When would this stop in Uttarakhand

Ever since I came back to Uttarakhand there have been frustrating experiences. Be it small things like the lack of traffic rules enforcement or BJP's internal fighting and hamlet of the CM stalling all the works in the state. After recent change at the helm of affairs in BJP and the subsequent actions like raids on government offices by CM etc., one hoped that now there would be atleast some activity against corruption etc.

But recent incidents involving a not so cleam minister, his chelas in departments and a secretary in secratariat have left me completely baffled. Secretary recommends action against HOD of one department after completion of departmental investigation. Minister instead of approving action against HOD, gives him clean chit instead. Now HOD starts to ask for action against Secretary for harrassing him!!!

Now important thing is, do ministers have right to give clean chit to anyone just like that? If so then why there is no report from minister giving justification or why there has been no investigation committee constituted to refute finding of the earlier investigation? This action has now put departmental discipline in complete dissarray as chain of command is completely broken.

This has now led to another even more embarrassing incident 2 days back when another department involving same minister and same secretary made mockery of departmental descipline. It seems that secretary wanted a particular file for investigation of earlier irregularity in recruitment. He sends his subordinates from secretariat to get the file. HOD of the department refuses to give the file!! Secretary decides to go the office of the department himself, all officials inclduding HOD flee the scene of action!! Can you believe it!! HOD and his staff leave the office just like that. Drama ensues as secretary summons police to look for the HOD !! He waits till late into the night and finally locks the office and gets it sealed!!

Next day's drama is even more embarrassing... Minister and HOD publicly ask for action against the Secretary!! CM and CS also seem to be not happy with the situation but still no statement from CM about the core of the issue ... CORRUPTION!!

So how long will this go on...!! Fight against corruption would be just an eye wash? If ministers are clean why cant they take action or atleast balance their act. I think seeds sown in earlier CM's reign are now sprouting ... total break down of the state's administrative machinery isnt too far...!!

Maa | Mother

Other day while listening to Taare Zameen Par's "Maa" I was suddenly reminded of "Mother" by Pink Floyd. Though both are written in different context, one from a young boy and one as a grown man looking back but these 2 songs definitely help us understand the cultural differences of east and west.

I think most of us Indians or people from subcontinent would immediately identify wouth "Maa". "Mother" is a powerful song in itself and sometimes as a grown man I do relate to it somehow.

Just to bring home the contrast.. here are these two songs

Lyrics

"Mother" : Pink Floyd

Mother, do you think they'll drop the bomb?
Mother, do you think they'll like this song?
Mother, do you think they'll try to break my balls?
Mother, should I build the wall?
Mother, should I run for President?
Mother, should I trust the government?
Mother, will they put me in the firing line?
Is it just a waste of time?

Hush now baby, baby, don't you cry
Momma's gonna make all of your nightmares come true
Momma's gonna put all of her fears into you
Momma's gonna keep you right here under her wing
She won't let you fly, but she might let you sing
Momma's will keep Baby cozy and warm
Oooo Babe
Oooo Babe
Ooo Babe, of course Momma's gonna help build the wall

Mother, do you think she's good enough
For me?
Mother, do you think she's dangerous
To me?
Mother will she tear your little boy apart?
Mother, will she break my heart?

Hush now baby, baby, don't you cry
Momma's gonna check out all your girlfriends for you
Momma won't let anyone dirty get through
Momma's gonna wait up until you get in
Momma will always find out where you've been
Momma's gonna keep Baby healthy and clean
Oooo Babe
Oooo Babe
Ooo Babe, you'll always be Baby to me

Mother, did it need to be so high?


"Maa" : Taare Zameen Par
Lyrics Courtsey : http://www.taarezameenpar.com/

Super Citizens!!

After every election we witness this phenomena. Ex MPs, MLAs Ministers not rushing to vacate their official residences and perks etc.

Uttarakhand though is witnessing a slightly different version of it these days. As a result of BJP's internal politics last CM had to resign. He did this but only after installing his own nominee to the same post. It has been almost a month since the new CM has taken over but still he is not able to move into the official CM residence. The pretext is that a suitable accommodation has not been found by the state government for the ex CM.

It maybe a courtesy extended by the new CM but I think it stinks of a very unethical practice of our politicians who consider themselves super citizens. As ex CM is now only an MLA, he should set some example of ethics and honesty( which he and his supporters keep repeating as his virtues) by moving out of the CM residence atleast.

Just hope that this doesnt create a new precedent for future CMs!!

The bigger question is, in democracy should there be a room for creating such super citizens for whom state government has to provide all these facilities? Ex CMs, Ministers, MLAs already amass enough wealth through corruption and on top of it taxpayers have to give them retirement benefits? Rewards for poor governance?!!