Bihar- Some Actions and Some Hopes
Posted : July 27, 2006 at 11:27 am [IST]
From every one coming from Bihar, I keep on enquiring if they find any change with new government. Many today talk good about the government and the steps it is taking. Some perhaps with very high expectation levels still do not think any change coming in Bihar. Media coverage at least in English newspapers is also limited so far Bihar is concerned. I came across two reports about Bihar in last few days that bring kindles hope. It is the right and out-of-the-box approach of Nitish Kumar.
‘The Telegraph‘, Kolkata reports the first one that goes as given below:
Addressing a special meeting of all 38 district-magistrates and superintendents of police, Nitish was quoted as saying by a district magistrate: “Aam janata ko tum nahin aap boliye, unko izzat dijiye (Address the common people as aap, not tum, give them respect).” It is rare in the state that a bureaucrat, often addressed by the vast majority as huzoor, maalik or sahib, would return the address with a polite aap in the social hierarchy that is in vogue. The chief minister’s advice on polite behaviour may be a key to effective administration- sushasan (good governance). Perhaps, this advice if followed may go a long way in quick perception change. Time and again, I had been suggesting if the word could be deleted from the dictionary of Hindi. We must practise using the respectful ‘aap’ for all, even our juniors, children and wife. It will be the beginning of mutual self-repect that is essential for the members of any society.
Nitish further added, “District magistrates and police superintendents are like the chief minister in the districts. They hold the key to good governance. Total coordination between them is necessary. I suggest they interact with each other on a regular basis.”
There is no doubt that if the DM and SP of a region wish to bring a change in the quality of living of the are they command, they with their authority can have the maximum impact. The infrastructure in the area can get a significant boost.
In an article ‘Road To Recovery’ in the July 31 issue of ‘India Today’, Farzand Ahmed comes out with at least some actions of Nitish that is really praiseworthy. He writes:
The government adopted a very simple approach that worked. Instead of working against offences under all the sections of the Indian Penal Code and Criminal Penal Code together, the administration picked up offences committed under the Arms’ Act and trials began leading to quick convictions. Under the Arms’ Act, sentences range from three to seven years. In most of the cases the criminals had used arms. With the criminals in jail under this one Act, other offences like kidnapping, dacoity and robberies also reduced. The government, as the chief minister claims, has successfully smashed the parallel economy and ‘goonda banks’ controlled by the mafia and kidnappers. If it has happened, perhaps this is innovative and praiseworthy initiative.
Nitish talks about another path-breaking experiment made to control law and order. The police force was understaffed, ill-equipped and ill-trained, so the government hired over 5,000 retired army men, gave them uniforms and weapons and deployed them in sensitive pockets. “Recruitment, training and induction of new police personnel will take a minimum of two years while the law and order situation demands immediate attention. It’s not only our priority but also a prerequisite for development and investment.” The result is obvious. The recent 10-phase panchayat polls did not, for the first time, see much of violence.
I agree that for Nitish, the only invigorating thing is development. Is this statement to follow attributed to Nitish is for his opponents?“A lot is being done. What can I do if you don’t see it? I work for 12-13 hours a day. The entire state machinery is trying hard to bring Bihar back on track.”
Let the people who oppose not see the change. Let the people who get affected and suffer feel the change. He must work hard but he is expected to work smarter and a little more tougher too to push the implementation of some of the key projects, may it be NHDP Expressways, BIT, National Law School, Nalanda University, Patna Software Park, AIMS like hospital in Patna, or Nuclear Power Plant. Progress of work on the project must be visible and must also touch the lives of many people.
And the latest
Bihar court convicts rapist in fastest trial
- Indra
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