Lesson for desi raja

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi Thursday, July 16, 2009

Syed Sibtey Razi showed the Jharkhand establishment how to win hearts.

Not with packages but with caring eye and promise to solve their problems Razi extended his helping hand to the people who had come from different parts of the State to attend ‘Janta Durbar. The Governor’s House was kept wide open for this on Wednesday.

He personally received the complaints of 368 people. He directed the concerned officials to solve the problem and inform his secretariat within a week about the action taken thereon.

It was a Governor who was not sitting in his royal chair to listen to the grievances of the common man. He rather rubbed his shoulder with the common masses and tried to get the feel of their problems unlike babudom which has been immune to these.

“I have come here to share their pain and suffering and the officials have been directed to take actions within a week. I will take the final decision. People got an opportunity to meet me and I have taken cognizance to their complaints and I will help them,” Razi dropping enough hint that his Janta Durbar was not a tamasha.

The officials will have to face the music if they have taken this initiative as a mere show. “Sabhi ka class lagega, kuch sikayat aisi bhi hai jisme administration ki laparwahi saaf dikhti hai,” a senior official of the Governor’s House quipped.

Will Razi hold another Janta Durbar in future? For those who unfortunately could not get registration to attend ‘Janta Durbar’ Razi signalled: “For me such initiatives are taken to be continued in future. Razi was trying to make the administration responsive to the need of the people and wanted to know how in the past his administration handled the problem of the common masses.

Only last year the former Chief Minister Shibu Soren had held similar Janta Durbar which attracted a huge crowd. On Wednesday among the complainants were those whose petitions were received by the same officials last year only to thicken the file.

Razi on his part refused to draw a parallel between the Janta Durbar held by a CM or Minister in the past and one that he organised. “There is no comparison between the two…I do not want to draw a parallel,” Razi curtly said. For media it was an oblique remark against the political mandarins of this state who flaunt their love for people’s welfare.

Tears rolled down the cheeks of Tapsi Chaudhary a native of Sindgora; Jamshedpur. She clasped the Governor’s folded hands and said: “Please do justice Sir. My daughter Mausmi Chaudhary was killed on May 9 by the owner of Air Hostess Academy Dhiraj and the owner of Hotel Sonnet. Police have not revealed the autopsy to ascertain her death.” Razi immediately instructed Gauri Sankar Rath, DG CID to look into the matter.

Razi cast a bewildered look at 82-year-old Ramdhani Chaudhary when he said that the administration refused to give pension facility despite high court’s order in this respect. “Queer case,” Razi mumbled only to find ‘learned officials’ around him to explain this.

Jatasanakar Prasad, the father of Deoghar based deceased reporter Pramod Kumar Munna deplored police apathy in solving the murder case having alleged involvement of the former Minister Harinarayan Rai. The then Chief Minister Madhu Koda had announced to give exgratia of Rs one lakh to the family of Pramod Kumar. So far the family has not received even a penny from the State Government, Razi was informed.

“Sir, I am forced to do begging. I have no means to keep my body and soul together,” Prasad along with his grandchild requested Razi with folded hand. “Police have been investigating this case. But the State Government will certainly help the family,” on being inquired by the media Razi said this.

Razi was visibly impressed to see differently abled Priti Kumari who sought a job for her. Secured 82 per cent marks in ISc examination this year; she also passed the competitive examination of AIEEE. “I am poor and fatherless. I seek your support,” Priti said.

Will officials swing to action after Razi reminded them that he would take the final decision? Will Razi stay as the Governor of Jharkhand till e date of decision and final judgement? Not sure perhaps?