Regional Journal: Cabinet reshuffle buzz
The buzz over a Cabinet reshuffle in Punjab kept the political pot boiling last week. Two things added fuel to the fire — AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal reposing faith in Bhagwant Mann as the CM and the party appointing Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain as state unit incharge and co-incharge, respectively. Since one Cabinet berth is still vacant and two party leaders have expressed reservations over the working of some departments, there is a buzz about new inductions and some ministers being asked to step down.
Anchor in news
The Prasar Bharati Board decision to hire anchor Sudhir Chaudhary for a whopping Rs 15 crore + GST annually has caused a flutter in political circles. The amount is 50 times what India’s topmost bureaucrat — the Cabinet Secretary — earns at the pinnacle of his career. A Cabinet Secretary earns around Rs 30 lakh a year after 37 years of dedicated service. Chaudhary will be required to produce an hourly exclusive show for DD News to be aired five days a week. Chaudhary is apparently not coming alone. He will be accompanied by a huge team.
Hooda-Vij banter
Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij turned 72 on March 15. When curious former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda asked Vij about his age, he replied, “I am counting.” Hooda (77) repeated the question the next day, to which Vij responded, “I am still counting.” After Hooda didn’t relent even on the third day, Vij told him he was 45. “If it is true, I will resign,” Hooda said jokingly. Vij reacted, “I have got it calculated and it is 45… Age can’t be calculated from the date of birth but from courage one possesses.”
Packed officers’ gallery
For the first time in years, the officers’ gallery in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha was packed to capacity. New Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi had specifically instructed officers to attend sessions and the dinner hosted by the Governor. The directive sparked a flurry of activity, with the Chief Secretary’s office sending reminders to ensure attendance. Eager to stay in Rastogi’s good books, officers showed up in full force, creating a rare sight of a full gallery.
Jawans & kisans up in arms
The slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” does not seem to hold true in Punjab nowadays. Soldiers and farmers are up in arms against the police. While farmers have accused the police of a crackdown at the Shambu and Khanauri farm protest sites, ex-servicemen have blamed the cops for botching up the investigation into the Colonel assault case in Patiala. Farmers and ex-servicemen are running social media campaigns to mobilise support as the state police face dissent on two fronts.
When VP was asked to ‘shut up’
Had Derek O’Brien, leader of the TMC in the Rajya Sabha, asked Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to “shut up” inside the House, he would have faced suspension. O’Brien did use the words recently, but Dhankhar felt pleased than angry. Dhankhar, who was hospitalised earlier this month, had called up O’Brien to wish him on his birthday (March 13) from the hospital bed. “Shut up, take rest,” came TMC MP’s reply. After being discharged, Dhankhar narrated the incident to underline how he was overwhelmed by the concern expressed by his colleagues during his hospital stay.
Contributed by Ruchika M Khanna. Aditi Tandon, Bhartesh Singh Thakur, Geetanjali Gayatri,
Mohit Khanna and Shubhadeep Choudhary
