RESIDENTS DISAPPOINTED BY NITHSH’S PICNIC TOUR

RESIDENTS DISAPPOINTED BY NITHSH’S PICNIC TOUR

26-MARCH-ENG 12

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited Bhojpur district today as part of his “Samriddhi Yatra” (Prosperity Tour). Reacting sharply to Nitish Kumar’s visit to Bhojpur, Manoj Singh—the RJD’s General Secretary for Bihar—issued a press release labeling the tour a “picnic.” Expressing his strong disapproval, Manoj Singh wrote that the Honorable Chief Minister’s “Samriddhi Yatra” in Bhojpur district turned out to be nothing more than a mere picnic. The common people of Bhojpur were highly enthusiastic, anticipating that the Chief Minister would announce the creation of a “Shahabad Commissionerate”—with its headquarters in Arrah—during his visit today. However, the Chief Minister’s “Samriddhi Yatra” today remained confined merely to draining the public exchequer and engaging with the administrative machinery. The Chief Minister’s speech, too, was spent entirely on recounting what previous governments had done and listing the achievements of the Central Government. Perhaps the Chief Minister has forgotten that it was during Lalu Ji’s tenure that the Kunwar Singh University, a power grid, the Arrah-Sasaram railway line, Kasturba schools, and Kendriya Vidyalayas were established; furthermore, two new subdivisions and two blocks were created, a dairy plant was set up, housing for the Mahadalit community was built, and four-lane roads were constructed. The Chief Minister spoke at length about agriculture, claiming to have implemented the Fourth Agriculture Roadmap. However, the people of Bhojpur want to know: what tangible benefits have farmers actually derived from this Agriculture Roadmap? The system has become a hotbed of corruption; even today, farmers are struggling desperately to receive fair prices for their produce. Fertilizers remain unavailable, leaving farmers with no choice but to contemplate suicide. The Chief Minister should also address the fact that, in this state—from the block level right up to the district level—not a single task gets accomplished without paying a bribe. Based on his speech today, it appeared as though the Chief Minister has, in some way, become intimidated by the Central Government. His fear was clearly palpable in today’s address. Murders are occurring daily in Bhojpur district; in fact, just one day prior to the Chief Minister’s scheduled program, shots were fired inside the Registry Office. The morale of criminals in this state is high, yet the Chief Minister made no mention of it. Judging by today's speech, it appeared as though the Chief Minister was on his farewell tour.