Three cheers to Uttar Pradesh government. It has given a strong rebuff to the Hindu right- wing groups flexing their muscles against “PK”, alleging that it “defamed” Hindu religion. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav would now be a star among the Bollywood fraternity and lakhs of moviegoers who have hailed the film, which even Insaf would say “does not in any way hurt
Hindu sentiments as alleged. While both the VHP and the Bajrang Dal are demanding that the film be banned or offending parts deleted, the UP government has made the film tax-free, so that more people can watch it! This, despite the fact that the VHP and Bajrang Dal members have gone on a rampage in Bhopal, Delhi, Bhubneshwar, Ahmedabad, Mumbai etc, against screening the film. Even the BJP-led government in Maharashtra has ensured that the film screening is not affected. Indeed, the Amir Khan blockbuster is brilliant. It basically evokes a debate on the true nature of any religion and their concept of god and godmen. Importantly, the Censor Board has refused to delete scenes from the film as it is already out for public viewing. And yes, people have enjoyed it. In less than two weeks, the film has grossed Rs 246crore!
Poll bugle in Delhi
Delhi is gearing up for the big battle. With reports the much-awaited assembly elections will be held in mid-February, the three big players– the BJP, the Congress and the Aam Admi Party– have shifted their campaigning strategy into top gear. For starters, the Congress has approached the Delhi high court, alleging that a large number of ‘bogus voters’ will cast their votes as they had numerous voter cards in their name, but with different addresses. The court has issued notice to the Election Commission to file their response by Monday. AAP was the first to voice concern over irregularities in the voter lists, which the BJP has rubbished, saying the rival was preparing grounds for its ‘wipe-out’ this election. This apart, top leaders of both the BJP and the Congress are being lined up for campaigning. While the former plans to facilitate its new Chief Ministers from Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Haryana, among others, at a rally, the latter has asked its leaders to camp in Delhi and assist local candidates. Undeniably, the fight for the seat of power in the nation’s capital is going to be a fiercely-contested one.
Solar CM
Haryana is taking the baby steps to resolve its power crisis. The first BJP government in the state has issued an order making it mandatory for all buildings on 500-sq yards or more to install rooftop solar power systems within nine months. Accordingly, group housing societies, malls, offices, private bungalows, schools, hospitals etc will need to get cracking. A failure to install the solar panels will mean shelling out anything between Rs 10,000 to Rs 10lakh as penalty. While the order is said to be in line with the previous Congress government’s solar power policy framed in September last, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar wants results. He has even offered bait. The government will give 30 per cent subsidy on the installation costs on a “first-cum-first-served” basis. Will it help meet the deadline of September and ease pressure on the power-hungry state, prone to heavy network breakdown and power shedding? The new and renewable energy ministry too will be keenly watching.
Land as rallying ground
The land acquisition ordinance provides a golden opportunity for the Opposition to unitedly take on the NDA government. Political parties such as the Congress, the Left, the JD(U) and the SP have vociferously spoken against the ordinance on the ground it favours the interests of the corporates and that exemptions would lead to forcible land acquisition and diversion of land acquired. The TMC in West Bengal has taken the lead, by going for direct action. It staged protests across the state. Terming the ordinance as “draconian and black”, its leaders held rallies and burnt symbolic copies of it in Kolkata. Not only has Parliament been bypassed, but the Centre has held no consultations with Chief Ministers. This is causing some heartburns. On the other hand, the government claimed the ordinance was necessary as there were complaints by ‘various states’ and industry against the “consent clause,” (now removed). It was an obstacle for defence, highways and infrastructure projects other than holding up the economy’s growth potential. It also has had the BJP-ruled states welcoming the ordinance. Clearly, the lines are drawn for the battle between those for and those against.
Ghar Wapsi, Buddhists
Maharashtra has added a fresh version to the ongoing ‘reconversion’ programmes in many states. Around 6,000 OBCs from 1,600 families are reported to have registered themselves in a campaign for ‘ghar wapsi’ (home coming) for the Buddhists in the state. The Satyashod OBC Parishad claims that these families want to embrace Buddhism as it is their “real home.” An argument is that while trying to find their roots, the OBCs realised they were ‘nagvanshi’ and thus originally Buddhists. Besides, the OBCs are alleged to have been cheated by upper caste Hindus in the past and thus the need to break out from the system. With this goal in mind, the Parishad says it embarked on its “Original Buddhist Cadre” mission in 2011 to reach out to the OBCs. Apart from home visits, it has been holding small rallies, group discussions and conclaves. Will it achieve its target of mass conversions of five lakh OBCs into Buddhism by October, 2016 in these trying times, is the big question.
Inland waterways
States may well be preparing their wish-list, following the road transport, highways & shipping ministry promising to take up the challenge to revive the road sector, reduce the cost while enhancing quality of road construction on a war footing. This apart, minister Nitin Gadkari is all set to give top priority to boost the country’s inland waterways network just like the National Highways, as it is a cheaper mode of transport. For starters, the ministry is working on developing the Varanasi-Haldia project for which the World Bank has already sanctioned Rs. 4,200crore. The project on the Ganga too would be extended to Allahabad later. As for national highways, the ministry is restructuring cancelled projects, reviving stalled projects and integrating border check posts with toll plazas, etc. Clearly, with goals such as meeting the target to construct 30km of roads per day, developing expressways alongside industrial corridors and improving connectivity, various chief ministers are said to be making a beeline for the transport ministry. There is hope of proposals getting the nod.