Govt failed to curb red-tapism: Choubey

Raipur, January 15, 2010

Leader of the Opposition Ravindra Choubey on Friday charged that the government has failed to curb red-tapism in the state and as a consequence the bureaucrats were deliberately ignoring public representatives. He said the officers’ gallery remained partially filled in the past five days of the Vidhan Sabha session and not even the Chief Secretary was present during the Governor’s speech that was an evident indicator how casual had been the attitude of bureaucrats.

“The government is spending hefty amount of money in sending bureaucrats to the foreign countries but the latter have failed to bring new changes in the state. Due to mismanagement of the government and uncontrolled bureaucrats, the state has become poorer in the past couple of years,” Choubey charged. He demanded from the government to send those officials to New Delhi on deputation who seemed uninterested in the development of Chhattisgarh.

Choubey also lamented the ruling party legislators for absenting from House when the members of Opposition got opportunity to speak on debate on Governor’s speech. He said even the speech of the Governor was not prepared properly by the government. “Among the 46 paragraphs of the Governor’s speech, 28 contained Union government schemes while 32 paragraphs were repetitive. I am also surprised that the BJP government has not even mentioned about implementation of any of its manifestos in the Governor’s speech despite of completing one year in its second term.”

Choubey also expressed surprise over government inaction over Balco Chimney episode that had claimed lives of about fifty people. He alleged that the government even ignored the movements of the officials of SEPKO who freely visited and stay in the places like Janjgir when their visas were meant for Balco and Korba visit only.

Choubey further charged that the government was benefiting the industrialists and providing them lands at cheap rates. “Power plants and industries are being rapidly established in the state and the government is selling large tracts of lands to these investors at minimal rates owing to which the farmers are at loss. The government has not even spared the agricultural lands in spite of its promise that such lands would not be sold for industrialisation,” he added.

Choubey said the BJP government has also failed to create job opportunities for educated youths. “The government has completely failed to please the common mass owing to its anti-people policies. The victory of Congress in Vaishalinagar bypolls is a clear sign of change. In addition, the BJP has not even received fifty percent of the public mandate during civic polls,” he said. Choubey said the BJP managed to secure only 42 percent of the president or chairman posts while meager 38 percent of corporator seats in civic body elections. He also alleged that the government misused its district administrations during the counting of mayor votes of Raipur and Durg municipal corporations.

“The government has always claimed about its development works but where has it established a host of parks like industrial, food processing, metal, herbal, engineering, aluminum and gems & jewellery which were categorically mentioned in the Governor’s speech,” Choubey asked.

He said the government spent huge money in constructing Gaurav Path and beautification works but why had it ignored the municipal schools which lacked basic facilities. “Even in the health sector, the BJP government had not taken initiative to open a single hospital for poor in the capital,” he said.

Choubey further charged that the government was benefiting the industrialists and providing them lands at cheap rates. “Power plants and industries are being rapidly established in the state and the government is selling large tracts of lands to these investors at minimal rates owing to which the farmers are at loss. The government has not even spared the agricultural lands in spite of its promise that such lands would not be sold for industrialisation,” he added.

Choubey said the BJP government has also failed to create job opportunities for educated youths. “The government has completely failed to please the common mass owing to its anti-people policies. The victory of Congress in Vaishalinagar bypolls is a clear sign of change. In addition, the BJP has not even received fifty percent of the public mandate during civic polls,” he said. Choubey said the BJP managed to secure only 42 percent of the president or chairman posts while meager 38 percent of corporator seats in civic body elections. He also alleged that the government misused its district administrations during the counting of mayor votes of Raipur and Durg municipal corporations.

“The government has always claimed about its development works but where has it established a host of parks like industrial, food processing, metal, herbal, engineering, aluminum and gems & jewellery which were categorically mentioned in the Governor’s speech,” Choubey asked.

He said the government spent huge money in constructing Gaurav Path and beautification works but why had it ignored the municipal schools which lacked basic facilities. “Even in the health sector, the BJP government had not taken initiative to open a single hospital for poor in the capital,” he said.