BJP, Cong on same page?

Though Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and his ministerial colleagues harp on the new BJP regime’s commitment towards zero tolerance on corruption, the conduct of some ministers seems to be contrary to this. Much to the surprise of officials, a first-time minister has handed over a long list of household items, including kitchen gadgets, utensils, dustbins, quilts and mattresses, to officials in his department. The officials, who are quite used to such demands by their senior officers, are not surprised at all. Though taken by surprise by the demands of the minister, who keeps swearing by the clean image of the new BJP regime, the officials are more than happy to oblige. This will obviously give them leverage to take such undue benefits for themselves. The only question coming to the mind of those in the knowhow of such demands is whether this government is any different from the previous Congress regime.

Rituals and criticism

It is a hot topic that the Sangh-backed Jai Ram government is bringing Himachal Pradesh back to rituals and liturgy. Both Governor and CM are more often busy here and there performing havans and other rituals. Though Sangh Parivar is certainly happy, it has drawn the ire of rationalists. Swami Vivekananda and other spiritualists never gave much importance to myths and preferred to promote rational philosophy and spirituality in modern India, points out a government critic. Are those ruling in corridor of power listening?

Politics for cheap drug stores

Food and Civil Supplies drug stores in prestigious hospitals, including the Tanda medical college and IGMC, are up for grabs. This week pharmacists at the Tanda medical college and the IGMC were changed abruptly. The changes were effected without the knowledge of the minister concerned that left him fuming. Sources said the orders for the change of pharmacists, who are hired on a commission basis by the department, came from the CM office. After sudden orders to replace the pharmacists, hectic lobbying took place to stop orders. With the CM’s Office being involved in effecting changes in drug stores that are meant to supply cheap drugs to the people, it raises doubts if stores are really serving the purpose for which they have been opened.

All eyes on CM

All eyes are on Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur whether he will choose to go by seniority in the appointment of the next Chief Secretary or he too, like his predecessors, will prefer his own suitability. The topic of hot discussion these days is that Chief Secretary Vineet Chawdhry has applied for the post of member both in the Central and State Administrative Tribunals (CAT and SAT). This has led to hectic lobbying for the top administrative post in the state, especially by those belonging to the 1985 batch. Chawdhry, a 1982 batch IAS officer, is due to retire in September. His early exit, if he is chosen to be Member of the CAT or SAT, could prove to be advantageous for his wife Upma Chawdhry. She is the seniormost IAS officer and Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy for Administration at Mussorie. Though there are four IAS officers, currently on the Central deputation who are senior, it is three IAS officers of the 1985 batch whose names are doing the rounds for being elevated as Chief Secretary. These include BK Aggarwal, Srikant Baldi, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) and Manisha Nanda, Principal Secretary to the CM. All three are well-connected and could use their links to get the top post. It is now for the CM to allow lobbying or just adhere to seniority and make Upma Chawdhry the Chief Secretary.

Contributed by Pratibha Chauhan, Kuldeep Chauhan and Lalit Mohan.