Nagpur: On October 30, 2014 the much hyped BJP-Sena government sworn in Maharashtra, after the conditional political wedding of both the allies. The political drama that surrounded the government formation clearly revealed that it was a ‘marriage of compromise’. However, fresh from the Modi win at the Centre, Nagpur MLA 44 years old Devendra Fadnavis, rose to to become the first Chief Minister of Nagpur. His pleasing personality became an overnight cult and people, particularly citizens of Nagpur, were rest assured of achche din from their new neta.
Cut to this day i.e. October 30, 2015, exactly an year after this event, the partners of this political wedding, though apparently estranged but together, have hit the rock bottom in their mutual ties.
Nagpur has been living into an illusion of development, and the process continues with the change of power too. The city is disillusioned once again. However it would be too early to say as the road to power still has much time to reach the finishing line.
Meanwhile let’s take a look on how the State Government fared in its one year of power.
Nagpur roads… who cares???
Right from local civic body to local MLAs who has sprung as the State head, all echelons of power claimed big on the condition of roads in Nagpur. But what we are seeing – the same old potholes being repaired. Irony is that on many of the key city stretches the potholes are even not fully repaired. The contractors are reportedly working on their whims and fancies. Many of them are even dealing the potholes with corrupt hands, making it the deadly paths for the commuters.
LBT Gone… Drought Tax On
While the decision to abolish Local Body Tax and Octroi on selected check posts was warmly welcomed, the only immediate effect it showed was petrol and diesel prices brought down. But that too was evened up by fresh drought tax. The prices of liquor have also come down.
Inflation at all time high
The onion prices at Rs 50 a kg make a good tadka of inflation in the price of tur dal which soared to an all time high of Rs 200 per kg. Though the government raided hordes of installation of hoaders but it yielded nothing. The raids proved ineffective in tiding the dal prices. The prices of essential commodities too have gone at all time high
Reliance Aerospace Park
The decision to bring 70,000 crore reliance aerospace park appeared just another announcement in the aftermath of serious of such announcement earlier made for the upliftment of Mihan. Though few corporates have started operation but the development of Mihan is still at snail’s pace. “The helicopters manufacturing will not benefit the common man,” quips a citizen. “We need roads, proper parks, clean water and benefits of public oriented schemes,” he added.
IIM – A commendable move
The city saw a new dawn in its academic scenario with the Indian Institute of Management starting sessions from VNIT campus. The development is expected to bring about betterment in the educational fabric of Nagpur.
Sena-BJP rift at its ugliest
The Shiv Sena, after severing ties with BJP on the eve of assembly polls, joined the government in December, 2014 and since then has relentlessly been attacking the policies and approaches of the ministry through its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ on various issues. Increasing its stridency, the Sena recently forced cancellation of Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali’s event in the city and later opposed the book launch of former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri. Sena activists blackened the face of the event organiser, Sudheendra Kulkarni, causing much embarrassment to BJP and triggering widespread protests across the country. Political observers say BJP has failed to control Sena’s capacity to create “nuisance repeatedly”.
The disconnect between the allies, both wedded to Hindutva ideology, further widened when Sena ‘boycotted’ all functions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai on October 11.
Chikki Scam & Foreign Trip!
The Maharashtra Women and Child Welfare minister, Pankaja Munde, has been alleged of awarding contracts for various items including the sweet snack, “chikki” for tribal area schools without her department calling for e-tenders.
Recently, an RTI filed by activist Anil Galgali found that the chief minister approved Rs 8 lakh for a government employee dance troupe that participated in a competition in Bangkok. CM Devendra Fadnavis sanctioned the sum that was transferred to Sachivalaya Gymkhana for the dance contest.
Nothing for farmers yet!
The Congress government in 1972 had laid down the rules to be followed in case of drought, like making available drinking water for people, fodder and water for cattle, concessions in power bills for agriculture pumps and phasing out of arrears, rescheduling of crop loan. However, this government delayed its response to the natural calamity. The state witnessed drought, hailstorm and unseasonal rains last year and this year, too, there have been drought conditions in majority districts. The state’s debt has crossed Rs 3.8 lakh crore and there is no borrowing capacity left. The main issue is how to raise funds for drought relief. Due to deficient rainfall, 3/4th of the state will face drinking water scarcity. Money can be raised, but where does one get water from?
Big ‘Ban’ Theory
In its one year of existence, Maharashtra government has certainly earned a tag of ‘ban waali sarkar’, thanks to the couple of key bans it imposed. Right from Maggi ban to Beef ban, Fadnavis government played up all quite efficiently. Now it is giving its ban policy an edge by advocating stay on dance bar ban.
