Puja revelry makes Opposition indifferent to iron ore fines issue

Pranav Pratyush/Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi

They have virtually stopped the proceedings of the house staging silent protests after a stormy day in the State Assembly on the issue of conditional sale of iron ore fines during the recently concluded monsoon session. The vocal leaders of Opposition, who had forced the ruling coalition to announce review of its decision, appeared quite indifferent on the issue on Thursday after the State Cabinet decided to maintain status quo over the decision.

Although voices of protest were raised by a number of leaders from Congress, JVM and the Left parties separately, they seemed too busy with Durga Puja preparations rather than being united and take a firm stand on the issue.

“The decision is a ploy of the government to mislead the Assembly. When the Chief Minister had announced that the government would review the decision, there was no such haste to bring the issue for discussions in the cabinet,” said State Congress Spokesperson Shailesh Sinha.

“The act of the government inadvertently suggests that there is some sort of pressure on the ruling coalition from certain ‘unknown’ forces. Although several leaders of the party have been talking separately about the matter, we would sit again to discuss it after puja holidays,” Sinha added hinting that party leaders were engrossed in puja revelry.

Although, party chief Babulal Marandi were unavailable for their comments, legislative body leader of the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha Pradeep Yadav said that the government was being forced to take such decisions in the pressure of some industrialists. Despite the CM’s assurance such cabinet decisions make the fact very clear, he added.

 Another vocal leader Samresh Singh who had made hue and cry over the issue in the Assembly was ignorant about the decision. After being briefed about the cabinet decision Singh said, “The government is no more trustworthy. People do not have any faith in this government. We will take strong steps against the decision after Puja vacations.”

Echoing similar views CPI (ML) legislator Vinod Singh said, “This is a conspiracy to mislead the legislative house and the people of the State. The Government had assured that it would review the decision. If the word review means this kind of action then the government should not have misguided the people of the State.”

Alleging that the government was representing few capitalists in the State, Singh demanded issue of White Paper on the matter by the government and explanation as to what benefit the State would get with the decision.

It must be mentioned here that the decision of the government to grant conditional permission to private firms to sell iron ore fines outside the State has been reaffirmed in Wednesday’s Cabinet decision.

In search of scraps life ends!

VIJAY DEO JHA/Mukesh Ranjan

RANCHI

Life often comes at cheaper cost than these blind grenades and spent bullets which the poor collect from notified firing-ranges of security forces once after forces pack-off fusillading exercise.

Three boys of Sikhiya village under Hazaribagh district, Rahul Kumar, Ghulam Sahid and Ehsan Raza; got killed on Monday when they tried to extract metal out of a blind mortar which they had collected from BSF’s firing range situated near the village. It was one of the many missing blind mortars that remained unexploded and traceless for safe disposal by the BSF or security forces.

If the mortar would not have exploded them to death then any petty scrap deal would have happily paid them at least Rs 200 against half a kg metal: a mix of high grade aluminum, copper and nickel. They probably wanted to turn metal into money to regale and rejoice during Durga Puja festival but were sadly unaware of security risk involved.

In fact spent shells of 81 mm mortar and a 7.62 mm medium machine guns and likes have become the part of the economy of villages situated close to two firing-ranges in Hazaribagh at Sikhiya village and other at Silwar situated in foothills of Juljul Hill. Such stories have often been reported from many datelines of Jharkhand, and, equally come the story of tearful termination of life. But such deaths never stop people risking their life even if after horrific statistics of deaths in the past few years.

A few years back a 15-year-old boy died when he tried to extract metal out of an unexploded grenade close to the BSF’s firing range here. In 2007, an 11-year-old boy had met the same fate of Rahul and his friend. These are number of other instances which went unreported when people have sneaked in firing range and received bullets or splinters despite precaution taken by BSF and other security forces during routine practice firing.  Both the incidents had taken in Silwar firing zone.

Poor villagers from Pauhta, Berhampur, Dhawaiya and Chandwar Sitagarha, Merhetta, and others keep colleting empty cartridges and shells which they sell in the scrap market which fetch them Rs 300 and even more for one kg.

“We take best precaution before to start range firing. We inform local police and village sarpanchs beforehand and deploy at least seven sentries and seal all the routes to stop civilians straying in firing range,” a BSF official said.

Thrice a week range firing is conducted mostly by the BSF or by the CRPF, ITBP, Jharkhand Police and others. The BSF has an elaborate guideline and procedures to be followed before and after undertaking routine firing.

“Normally, we don’t collect spent shells. But we keep record of blind ammunitions. We detect it and defuse or explode it through artificial process to stop any casualty in future. But sometimes a couple of remain missing which is collected by people. It kills them when they dismantle it,” the official said. The official claimed that the BSF regularly educate local people about risks involved in collecting and dismantling spent or blind shells.

Village head of Sikhiya Jeev Narayan Ram blamed the BSF for neglecting elementary arrangements and demanded compensation to the family of deceased. But in search of metal scraps people visit firing-ranges is another side of story.

“It brings extra income for them. Metals extracted from spent shells and cartridges are sold in the local market. There are nearly 12 such villages situated around these two firing ranges where poor people use to collect metals. This is the mainstay of thousands of people who are poor,” an official said. Even local scrap deals reportedly deploy poor people, grown-ups and children as well. Picking few scraps they feel lucky and when it fate frowns at it ends their life.

Naxal crime graph declines, anti terrorist squad proposed

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi

Reviewing law and order and anti-naxal operation in Jharkhand, the state police claimed ration of Maoist related violence has come down by 50 percent in Jharkhand in comparison with previous years.

The state police have proposed to set-up a specialized anti-terrorist squad in Jharkhand owing to the fact that in the last couple of years Jharkhand has emerged as sleeping cell for terrorist modules.

“We are satisfied over ongoing naxal operation. Maoists are on retreat. The number of Maoist related violence has gone down,” Jharkhand Police DGP Rath told the Pioneer after the meeting, on Friday.

Asked further about anti-naxal operations in Jharkhand Rath said that extra forces will be deployed in bordering area to contain Left extremism. “Anti-naxal operation has to be consolidated further. We have intelligence in-put that Maoists are trying to regroup themselves,” he said.

Talking about proposed formation of anti-terrorist squad Rath said that others states like Maharashtra have formed a separate police wing to counter terrorism. “We will discuss the aspects of the proposed squad. But I can say that the best hands from ancillary units will be picked-up for this job.”

But despite statistical claim of fall in naxal related incidents Khunti and surrounding areas has kept top police bosses on tenterhook where the graph of naxal related and general crime registered a vertical rise in the past few months.

Sources in police attributed couple of reasons saying that the crime graph has risen because of group rivalry among splintered naxal group. “Off course we are worried. It is one of the top concerns. Around half a dozen splintered groups are operating in area who regularly clash with each other. We have discussed these matters in details,” a top official said.  

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Congress forms committee for Hatia, factionalism on rise

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI 

State Congress is reported to have formed a five men committee in the anticipation of the Hatia assembly by-election and will forward its recommendations for the candidature if Jharkhand High Court clears the deck.

“Official announcement of the formation of this committee has been kept on hold since the matter is subjudice. It will recommend candidate any time after the court’s verdict,” a party insider said. Leader refused to disclose the names of the members, though, but dropped enough hint about the committee comprising senior most party leaders.

From throwing lavish lunch party to calling old and forgotten party workers on the name of felicitating them claimants for the tickets have swung in backstage negotiation. “These are all off-stage drama. Some of them returned from Delhi after they were not taken seriously by the central Congress which is preoccupied with upcoming assembly election in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab,” a party functionary said.

Sunil Sahay whose candidature is powered and projected by his heavyweight brother; Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, may not expect the committee to make a favourable recommendation. “The privy of being bother of party heavyweight is not going to be the sole criteria of candidature. Seniority and association with the party matter while his political life in the Congress is less than two years,” a senior party leader agitatedly said.

It will provide enough reasons to State Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu to glee and giggle who having several brushes with Union Minister to get control over party. Apart from other claimants like former party spokesperson Alko Dubey, Rana Sangram Singh, Congress mahanagar there is Pratibha Pandey, former state president of Women Congress who is seeking fair justice this time. In 2005 election she was given party ticket from Hatia and withdrawn barely 12 days after to accommodate Gopal Sarannath Sahdeo of royal Sahdeo family.

But, Subodh Kant Sahay is not sure about the card that Balmuchu might have kept in his sleeves to stop him in Hatia. Talk in the air that the anti-Sahay camp might convince central high command to strike a deal with the JVM to support in Hatia and secure the support of the JVM for the Rajya Sabha seat. It will be a smart move to push back Sahay and please party’s Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand Mabel Rebello who is left with few months to complete her term.

“An addition of seat does not make any difference in Jharkhand in the near future. Rajya Sabha seat matters the most for Delhi,” a party leader said.

On face the Congress has repeatedly announced its intent to contest and sought support from the JVM chief Babulal Marandi. And every time Marandi disparagingly rebuked the Congress.

The proposal is not acceptable to the JVM even it appears politically profitable though JVM leaders like Pradeep Yadav would refuse to say anything till the Congress brings such proposal. Congress had promised handsome political and personal return to the JVM to get its support during previous Rajya Sabha election which it convivially forgot.

CM Munda to take part in crucial review meeting today

Strap: State performing well under IAP schemes

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi

Chief Minister Arjun Munda will take part in the crucial meeting over naxal related problems and development issues in Delhi on Wednesday called by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. Chief Ministers of other states affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) would also attend the meeting.

The meeting besides discussing ongoing anti-naxal operations in the affected States will discuss development projects in the naxal affected districts under Integrated Action Plan.

“It is going to be an important meeting which will review development projects in the naxal affected districts,” State Home Secretary JB Tubid said. Recently the Centre has announced development projects under Saranda Action Plan for 56 villages falling in Saranda area of East and West Singhbum districts of the State.

The Centre released Rs 770 crore under IAP for raising infrastructure in 14 Naxal-hit districts of Jharkhand. Later on Centre conceded to the demand of Jharkhand government to include Ranchi, Khunti and Giridih districts under IAP.

The said amount would be used to create infrastructure like roads, culverts, irrigation facilities, potable water facilities and creating job opportunities for the people living in remote areas. Under the scheme each of the Naxal-violence affected districts were granted Rs 55 crore for development activities under the IAP. 

IAP a key concept of the Home Ministry to counter Maoists by focusing development on the grassroots had earlier included 60 districts across nine naxal affected states. The number shot up to 78 after Centre added 18 new districts.

Jharkhand has kept an impressive track record at least on the paper. Out of Rs 630 crore allotted to Jharkhand under IAP in the fiscal years 2010-11 and 2011-12, the state government utilised Rs 377.45 crore for 14 districts. Compared to national average of 51.14 per cent, Jharkhand has spent 59.91 per cent.

But Jharkhand lags behind in comparison with Andhra Pradesh, which utilised 71 per cent of the total allocated fund.

Fears of stars and omens goad politicians

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI 

“Something is rotten in the State of Jharkhand,” Shakespeare would have said had he been born in Jharkhand. Sadly, there is no Shakespeare here to write dramas on a State that produced many tragedies, satires and even crude political comedies; enough to qualify the state for basket case distinction.

The Shakespearean tragedy has remarkable parallel here, as politicians of Jharkhand fear omens and stars quite like Marcellus and Horatio; the two character of drama Hamlet.

They secretly consult pundits and astrologers before taking political decisions which their fingers stuffed with precious stones partially admit. But their fear for stars and inauspicious time is quite glaring on the Hindu Lunar Calendar that they admit quite publicly. Till inauspicious time passes-off let the government and people suffer: no cabinet expansion, no major decision.

So recently coalition government’s partners, JMM and the BJP; have plunged the state in deep uncertainty as each have dared other to withdraw from coalition government. Senior JMM leader Shashank Shekhar Bhokta publicly admitted his party of secular credential will avoid taking a decision during December 15 to January 15 — the period known as Kharmas.

“Whether we stay with the BJP or not the decision will be taken only after Kharmas…because this period is not auspicious for taking any such a decision. You know it may bring disaster,” Bhokta said. The JMM may use the time to negotiate with the Congress and bully the BJP. But Bhokta admitted his party chief Shibu Soren has this thing in his mind.

The BJP after initial verbal match with the JMM has softened its stand to avoid further damage. Best blame stars and inauspicious Kharmas for conflict. “Such things are happening due to Kharmas. Let the Sun go northward the dispute will end,” Goswami sounded innocently. Nevertheless, inquisitive BJP leader and Chief Minister Arjun Munda had consulted three top astrologers to select moment to take oath in September 2010. But even arrangements and alignments of stars and constellations can’t guarantee political stability in Jharkhand where politics suffers from unpredictable predicament.

If stars and omens indeed make and mar the fate of these earthly Gods JMM chief Shibu Soren might not have forgotten his second stint as CM in 2008 that met with a tearful termination after he lost Tamar assembly by-election as CM in the first week of January 2009.

Soren is after all a secular man not known for chasing stars. But when Opposition mounted assault for his resignation he had privately wished he should be allowed to continue as CM as namesake till Kharmas was over.

Soren probably believed he will tide the time and situation once the bad phase was over. “Soren that time wanted the Congress to re-prop him as CM for another six months which was constitutionally wrong.  Kharmas and other inauspicious periods are actually an alibi. It is very funny that cabinet expansions are withheld due to such reasons. Jharkhand has set an example of superstition,” Congress leader Radha Krishna Kishore said.  

Politicians of state have long been indulged into a debate questioning the timing of very foundation of Jharkhand on midnight of November 15, 2000 when first Governor of the State Prabhat Kumar was sworn in three minutes past that midnight followed by the first Chief Minister Babulal Marandi. Many years later Marandi admitted Jharkhand took birth on wrong time. A senior BJP leader had admitted that two astrologers from Ranchi and Uttar Pradesh had warned against the very timing of oath taking. But Marandi did not want to wait till morning as he feared central bosses could change their mind in favour of Kariya Munda.

Four hundred years back Shakespeare tempted to say something is rotting in state of Denmark; in Jharkhand it is stinking.

JMM’s 3 D approach on FDI

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

JMM’s political stand over Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and voting pattern in the Parliament; is basically a three dimensional story that can confuse even seasonal dabblers in politics.

The JMM having three MPs in the parliament — two in the Lower and one in Upper House —drifted in three different directions when the UPA government was stitching numbers for smooth passage of the FDI Bill against Opposition’s many a roadblocks.

The JMM chief and Dumka MP, Shibu Soren, preferred to stay in Ranchi on the day of voting. Party’s Palamu MP Kameswar Baitha supported FDI saying he voted as per party instruction. But the lone party MP in Rajya Sabha, Sanjeev Kumar, walked-out during voting that led many in the party to clamour the man must be served with show cause notice for going against the party line.

And the party line remained as confusing as the JMM happens to be. Sanjeev who is long time associate of Soren and his family lawyer as well, promptly clarified the party did not issue any whip or a written directive to support UPA on FDI Bill during voting. Though, the hawks in the JMM soon withdrew their daggers once realizing the lawyer is technically correct if not politically. But they insist a through debate on the party forum since the party patriarch had cleared his stand some two months back. 

“It happened due to communication gap. Guruji (Soren) had made the stand very clear the JMM will not align with NDA and other Opposition. Our MPs were required to support FDI Bill. When a high level meeting will be called in coming days we will definitely seek an explanation. But no show cause notice against him,” party’s central secretary Vinod Pandey explained.

Nevertheless, these odd three votes could not make much difference in the number game of the UPA but Soren’s loyalists feel the Congress may interpret it JMM sailing in two boats: UPA and NDA as well. Technically, the JMM claims to be in the UPA fold. “We are running coalition government with BJP in Jharkhand but we are not with NDA. But I am not sure as how FDI voting move is going to be interpreted,” a senior party leader said. 

The leader elaborately explained that even absence and walk-out during voting is a kind of latent or indirect kind of support which the Congress bosses should appreciate.

At this moment ‘communication gap’ has been offered as probable reason behind ‘walk out’ but no idea so far that probably guided Soren to stay at home instead joining UPA’s solidarity show during voting. “He was set to attend parliamentary session but had to defer it due to some reasons,” Pandey said.

But then the JMM is known for taking surprised political decisions believed to be influenced by intriguing political and personal circumstances. In 2010 Soren was Chief Minister of BJP supported coalition government when he had voted against BJP sponsored ‘Cut Motion’ against Central UPA government. An exasperated BJP withdrew support causing his unceremonious exit from the power seat. That time Soren had dispatched passionate letter to BJP bosses and lamented it a lapse on his part saying he did it out of mistake. And within a quick succession Soren made a volte face and fired ammo on BJP and said that voting UPA was his conscious decision. This one man show party has always remained a puzzle for BJP and Congress which is its USP, too.

Mandu by-election today!

Vijay Deo Jha/Pranav Pratyush

Ranchi

State Government and Hazaribagh district administration are all set to hold a peaceful by-election of the Mandu assembly constituency on Wednesday. To counter any security threats enough security arrangements have been made including deployment of 32 companies of Central Para Military Forces (CPMF).

Informing about the security preparation Hazaribagh SP Pankaj Kamboj said that four times the number of companies of different wings of the State police forces will be deployed during the election.

“We have decided to deploy a minimum of 20 static forces against each booth. Special security measures and deployment will be made in the naxal affected areas like Vishugarh and Churchu,” he said. Heavy deployment of the forces has been made in the area around the Jhumra Hill affected by the Maoist.

Sources in the government said that the around 70 per cent booths in Vishugarh have been declared as highly sensitive while 100 per cent booths under Churchu have been declared highly sensitive.

Polling will be held at 400 booths out of which 152 have been declared highly sensitive.  A total of 298460 voters will take part in the polling out of which 1,35,940 are women. 

The Election Commission of India has deployed 95 micro observers whereas 400 control units of the EVM will be used during the polling. To conduct polling 4500 officials and employees of the government have been deployed.

The emerging poll scenario, according to sources, indicates that JMM candidate Jai Prakash Bhai Patel and JVM (P) candidate Manish Jaisawal are the major contenders in the fray. Nevertheless, all political parties including Congress and JD (U) and CPI (ML) have left no stone unturned to woo the voters of the constituency.

The Mandu Assembly seat became vacant after death of senior JMM leader Teklal Mahto in September this year.

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Chidambaram pats State police for successful operations

Strap: Raises concern over casualty

VIJAY DEO JHA / MANOHAR LAL

Ranchi 

Terming some of the major anti-naxal operations conducted in Jharkhand between June and October as successful Union Home Minister P Chidambaram expressed his concern over “unacceptably high rate of casualty of security forces and civilians which needed to be reduced.”

“Greater steps needed to be taken in Jharkhand and the Centre will extend all logistic support to the State. Jharkhand should act with more vigour and planning to meet the challenges,” Chidambaram told the media after holding a high level review meeting with Chief Minister Arjun Munda and senior officials of the state government on Wednesday.

Sources said that Chidambaram matched the report of number of casualties in Jharkhand in the said five months -- total 26 the report he had carried with him. Chidambaram pulled the State officials for not starting recruitment drive of the vacant posts of police constables and sought and directed to set a deadline to complete it. Chidambaram also expressed concern over the failure of the State police to stop Maoists from running Jan Adalat, kangaroo courts, which he said, had been on rise in Jharkhand.   

Chidambaram said that 130 police stations in Jharkhand are badly affected by red rebels. “Around 13,000 security forces of 14 battalions of the CRPF and two CoBRA battalion are engaged in anti-naxal operation and equal number of regular state police forces,” he said.

He informed that the Centre has provided Rs 55 crore to each of 14 naxal hit districts under Integrated Action Plan for the development purposes. So far, the performance and the development of these districts under IAP in terms of physical achievement and financial achievement is 50 and 55 percent respectively. “It should have been 70 per cent at the end of the month of November. I hope the state will be able to use hundred percent funds by March, next year,” he said.

“I have reviewed strategic details of the operation and also ongoing development works. Jharkhand is a naxal hit State and the Centre will extend all support to the government,” he added.

Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Arjun Munda said that several issues related with naxal problem and development works were discussed in the meeting. Though, he refused to divulge whether the state government placed any specific demand and support before the Home Minister. 

Soren asks farmers to plough leaves deep furrow

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI 

JMM chief Shibu Soren asked villagers to plough their field during meeting of the agitators at Nagri leaving a deep furrow on the forehead of many in the government. Soren, on Sunday, was addressing a meeting of agitators who are opposed to establishment of IIM, IIIT and Law University on 227 acres of land at Nagri. 

Soren made best use of podium moment to assure his core constituents that he would oppose any decision of the government if it is subversive to the interest of tribal and farmers.

“Go and plough your field. I have always spoken against the government even I happen to be the part of the government. Land belongs to farmers. Government can’t take their land away. Government taking their land is unjust.” Soren said this to a gathering.

Soren spoke around 10 minutes; but did not talk much about the issue except extending support to their cause. But he made loud and clear to his BJP counterpart in the coalition government that either he or his party can’t risk becoming the party of such decision. 

A week back, a delegation of agitators had visited Soren and sought his support for farmers from the public forum. Soren agreed to attend their meeting which was scheduled on Sunday. Despite of heavy rain thousands came to attend public hearing.

“He has supported us. We hope he will pressurize the government to withdraw decision to establish institutions here. Our land will be returned” Soren had barely left the dais when the announcement was made.

But sources in the government have their own sets of concern that Soren only helped to turn more conflicting. “Five men committee has already been formed which is exploring ways to short out this issue. Let the negotiation to take place first. Addressing a public gathering and making such statement so loud and clear will create further deadlock…after all he happens to be the chairman of State Coordination Committee. What he utters will be considered the policy of the government,” top sources in the government said.

Five men committee headed by JMM leader and Land Revenue Minister Mathura Mahto is likely to convene meeting with villagers and their representatives on Monday.

“We have called them for a meeting. We will listen to their points and their demand. Farmers should be given justice,” Mahto told The Pioneer over telephone. 

“What Soren announced can’t be said as reflection of the mind of the government. But the way JMM leaders in the government are speaking it seems that they putting blame on to the BJP for the crisis. Any public statement of this kind reflects poorly upon the government,” a BJP minister of coalition government headed by Chief Minister Arjun Munda said.

Minister argued that the government will take all aspects — humane and legal before taking any decision. “But this is not the way. You (Soren) are grilling your government where you are a partner,” minister said.

But the JMM insisted that Soren being a mass leader can’t be confined to the nitty gritty of the governance. “Unka dil janta me basta hai sarkar me nahi wah janta kee baat karte hain (his heart lies in the people not in the government, he talks about the people,)” JMM MLA Shashank Sekhar Bhokta said.   

After controversy flared into flame the BJP too appears jittery about venturing out too far alone. The BJP has already faced political consequences during anti-encroachment drive last year when the JMM had shrugged off from taking responsibility of the drive. It cost the BJP in Jamshedpur parliamentary election and elsewhere.

Maoists adding ammo worries security bosses about anti landmine vehicle

VIJAY DEO JHA / Mukesh Ranjan

Ranchi

The way (CPI Maoist) rebels have been tossing and mangling powerful steel boded anti-landmine vehicles by adding ammo and quantity in triggering powerful landmine blasts have shocked bosses of Jharkhand police. Former chief of Jharkhand police BD Ram too raised similar doubt over the efficiency of these vehicles.

Worried over the media report questioning utility of these vehicles in the wake of Saturday blast in Garhwa killing 13 policemen by blowing landmine vehicle top police source admitted a time has indeed some to find dome way. “It is bogus to say that these vehicles are not able to withstand the pressure of landmine explosion and becoming death chamber for the security forces. But after Maoists have changed strategy and now planting landmine of 30 to 40 kg of weight these vehicles have indeed become vulnerable if not outdated,” a top police official said.

The state police have around 80 such vehicles pressed in anti-naxal operation across Jharkhand that on average can withstand landmine blast capacity of 10-15 kg. In the past one decade around five such have been destroyed in the landmine blast.

Explaining the pattern and the way Maoists have gone beyond planting landmines of around 10 to 15 kg a serious review over getting a new fleet of vehicles and replacing old fleet is indeed required. But the Police and the Home Department find it a tough poser.

“We have recently ordered four vehicles that can withstand blasts of 30-35 kg. But what if the Maoists start planting 40 and 50 kg of landmine? We can get vehicles of enhanced capacity that naturally will be of jumbo size. But can we move with these jumbo size vehicles in interior during operation” official said while reeking concern.

The question does not worry Jharkhand alone. Neighboring state Chhattisgarh is too worried over rising number of such vehicles failing to withstand landmine blast. Like Jharkhand, the pockets of Chhattisgarh are too littered with landmines. While the Chhattisgarh government recently took help of military and international experts in removing these landmines the move offers few clues to Jharkhand police the way to tackle it.

“We regularly hold detection and sanitation drive to remove landmines from the roads falling in the areas where Maoists are operating. This is a war like situation and such incidents are built in the framework of such operations. But then we need to be cautious must and work on some intuitional memory and take extra precautions while moving in a naxal- prone area,” IG and Jharkhand Police spokesperson RK Mallick said.

What worries top cops the most is that while moving in anti landmine vehicles police forces often ignore security warning and feeling safe while Maoists lurk to trap them. 

DIRTY GAME (An investigative report by The Pioneer over horse trading in RS election in Jharkhand)

Kings and pawns under IT scanner

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Top sources in the Income Tax department claimed having gathered sufficient clues about a woman legislator of ruling coalition who believed to have received Rs two crore from an independent candidate of RS election outside Jharkhand as a price to cast her vote.

“We can’t reveal mush about the payment as it will affect the case but one of her relatives received said amount,” top sources in the Income Tax department told the Pioneer over telephone.

The case is likely to be transferred to the CBI by Tuesday, after the Jharkhand High Court directed Election Commission of India to handover the case to horse trading to the CBI. IT sources said that a former MP from Jharkhand who was involved in mustering MLAs support for an independent candidate is likely to be quizzed.

“He was chief architect of the election strategy of an independent candidate who used his political and personal connections to get support of some of the independent MLAs and others. We strongly suspect amounts were paid to MLAs and can’t feign ignorance,” sources said.

Investigating the matter Income Tax suspect involvement of a city based hotelier who had arranged five rooms at his hotel to one independent candidate Pawan Kumar Dhoot during RS election. A search operation was carried in the hotel on Thursday night—a day before RS polling by the Income Tax. “We did not find anything to suggest wheeling and dealing. “But the suspecting thing was that the hotel had not maintained proper register of its occupants and check-in period. They need to explain us,” an IT official who was the part of the search team said. During the grilling hotel authorities accepted that one Ram Bangar who was working actively for Dhoot had booked these rooms.  

Interestingly, suspended BJP MLA Ramchandra Baitha who is believed to have voted for Dhoot made a secret visit to Income Tax department a few days back. “We can’t doubt anybody just because one has voted for those who are under scanner. But Baitha said us that a former MP had contacted him for vote in the favour of a certain candidate,” an insider said.

Baitha accepted having met some top IT official but he refused to divulge the detail. 

While scores of MLAs cutting across the party line have been under constant watch of the Income Tax and investigative agencies; IT Department has prepared the list of persons who are alleged to be either a liaison or acted as a courier to pay money to some of the MLAs. The IT Department has got vital lead about a person known as Pappu belonging to Barhet who was managing votes of MLAs from Santhal Pargana.

“We request common people and whistleblowers to help us to provide information about the horse trading during RS poll,” Income Tax Commissioner Ajit Kumar Srivastava said.

BJP opposes President’s Rule, demands fresh election

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi   

The BJP threatened to pitch protest against Union Cabinet’s decision for imposition of President’s Rule in Jharkhand terming it an attempt of the Congress to rule the state by proxy. “We have been demanding dissolution of assembly for a fresh election. People should be given chance to elect a government. The Congress has long been instrumental behind political instability in Jharkhand to run the government from proxy. The BJP will start statewide agitation,” caretaker Chief Minister Arjun Munda said.

The BJP ran into angry protest near Raj Bhavan on Thursday. It called President’s Rule undemocratic and the Governor as political agent of the Congress and the Centre. Meanwhile, Munda has flown to Delhi to apprise party seniors of fast rolling political situation in Jharkhand after the JMM withdrew support from the coalition government.

The BJP has drafted plans for serial demonstration right from the state capital to district headquarters. “We will launch Halla Bol programme to expose the Congress. The Congress has always been looking out for opportunity to destabilize elected government in Jharkhand and elsewhere. Agitation will be more vigorous in the coming days till assembly is dissolved,” state BJP leader Anant Ojha said.

Ironically, President’s Rule was even not welcomed by the JMM and its party leader, Hemant Soren, who had withdrawn support from BJP led coalition government to fulfill his Chief ministerial ambition with Congress’ support. The Congress has not assured JMM anything over government formation.

“President’s Rule can’t be the option of a popular government. Possibility of government formation was not explored properly. But we will surely try our best to explore options. It is responsibility of every MLA to come together to form government. We are not responsible for this situation. There are other people who are responsible for it,” Soren said.

PMO responds to the Pioneer report

 Strap: Grants Rs one Lakh to poor man for treatment of his son

 VIJAY DEO JHA

Establishment finally took notice of the pain of poor Surendra Ram (40) last week, the man who sold all his belongings to save his son Anuj Kumar (12), currently under treatment at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) took notice of report published in the Pioneer on December 19 last year, ‘Ram needs to be God to save his son!’ The PMO directed financial assistance to Ram whose son is suffering from complete paralysis from the last two years due to corporal punishment by his teacher.

 

An official of the PMO said that Ram was given a cheque of Rs one lakh from Prime Minister Relief Fund on January 3.  “PMO has taken note of the pain of the man after the news surfaced in the Pioneer. More payments could be made. The hospital authority has been asked to take proper medical care of child,” the official said.

 

Confirming this, Ram expressed his gratitude for raising his plight. “I am thankful to all of you and all those who helped me out; otherwise, who listen to poor people,” Ram said.

After the Pioneer report a team of central officials visited Ram and collected all the details. From the last two years Ram has been staying on hospital’s premise along with his wife Neelam. Hailing from Purnadeeh (Palamau), in Jharkhand this marginalised farmer has sold his entire property — two acres of land and pair of oxen — and even borrowed Rs 80,000 from local moneylenders for the treatment of his son.

The couple has been forced to the disgraceful act of begging outside Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, where Anuj has been admitted in ward 34. Doctors say Anuj’s motor neurons, controlling movements of his limbs, have been damaged beyond repair. This can be partially improved only by highly specialised surgery and treatment which is very costly. Anuj has undergone two major surgeries and doctors expect a couple of others.

Having no means of income Ram had begged before all the high and mighty of Jharkhand government and politics. He had submitted petitions to the then Chief Minister, the Governor, Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha Kariya Munda, Chatra MP Inder Singh Namdhari, former HRD Minister Vaidyanath Ram etc, on different occasions. Among politicians and government only Subodh Kant Sahay (the then Union Minister) helped him out while rest offered assurance.

The district administration has provided him with a BPL card that holds no meaning because it merely certifies his poverty but offers no support or solution.

Ram twice met the CM in Delhi with a request for son — first when Munda was visiting an ailing relative, Gautam, admitted at Safdarjung in 2011 and next, when he was in Delhi to demand special status tag and package for Jharkhand. Ram had not sought a package; he had just prayed for a small favour.

For PMO it took two days to act and it took a year for CMO to respond Ram’s petition is pending.

Sangama, Mukherjee to visit Jharkhand to garner support

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Two front runners of presidential election; the NDA nominee Purno Agitok Sangma and Congress’ pick Pranab Mukherjee have scheduled their Ranchi visit on Wednesday and Thursday respectively to garner electoral support to secure passage to the Raisina Hills.

Their respective party and allies have already explained reasons as to why political parties in Jharkhand should support them.

Announcing scheduled of Ranchi visit of Sangma, state BJP spokesperson Pradeep Sinha at a press conference, on Monday, said that he (Sangma) will meet coalition Chief Minister Arjun Munda. Sangma will meet Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren and Deputy Chief Minister to seek JMM’s support. BJP legislative body meeting is likely to be held the day Sangma will arrive; BJP sources said. While Sangma is expected to explain reasons behind expecting support from this tribal state; the BJP explained it beforehand.

“He is a seasoned parliamentarian one who has proved himself as Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Important thing is that he is tribal and Jharkhand being a tribal state must support him,” Sinha said.

Mukherjee is also scheduled to visit Ranchi on Thursday for a formal meeting with his party MLAs and MPs besides confirming supports from other regional players and independents.

Mukherjee might have chucked many a demands of Jharkhand for concession and special economics as Finance Minister but he is getting support of political parties including JMM, JVM and independents. BJP’s two sets of arguments to persuade its coalition ally; the JMM, seem to have failed miserably. JMM being a tribal centric party ought to support him, and, Mukherjee must be punished for ignoring genuine claims of Jharkhand. BJP and the JMM are the part of coalition government under queer political arrangements: JMM is within NDA fold in Jharkhand while at the Centre it is with the UPA.

Soren seems to have cleaved effortlessly away from BJP and reconfirmed his well-earned reputation for political trapeze in the light of thick hints dropped by the party could consider a tribal as next President. Party sources explained cryptic and profound reasons behind change of mind. “Mind it is a presidential election and not the election of village head,” a senior JMM functionary cautioned, “being a tribal can’t be the sole qualification. Experience and political acceptability matter in such cases. Mukherjee has no comparison with Sangma.”   

It could well be said that the BJP in Jharkhand is sulking in a corner where it can’t locate an ally to support Sangma. The JD (U) having two MLAs in Jharkhand will be hardly important either for Mukherjee and Sangma but the state leadership has been harping on the Nitish Kumar tune to support Mukherjee.

There is no clue yet to come to a conclusion that how AJSU Party leadership intends to respond the BJP’s call. There is even lesser knowledge of calibrated strategy of the AJSU Party that acts discreetly at the last moment without going loud over megaphone. 

Mandu forces JD (U) in a review

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Mandu assembly by-election is unlikely to spring any soothing electoral surprise for the JD (U), but clash with the BJP over support issue has forced the leadership for a radical restructuring of the party in Jharkhand including a review of relationship with the BJP.

The sentiment is not limited among the State leadership including state JD (U) president and party candidate Khiru Mahto, rather it is backed by the Bihar JD (U) leadership that mostly controls the party in Jharkhand.

“Off course, we are concerned about Jharkhand JD (U), in terms of alliance with the BJP and its organizational structure. We never expected the BJP to part ways with us in Mandu. The JD (U) has the alliance with the BJP at the national level we will be happy to remain out of the alliance in Jharkhand if we can’t remain a friend…and this is precisely what we are going to say to the national leadership after the result,” Bihar JD (U) MLA and state JD (U) co-in-charge Sharavan Kumar said. 

The Bihar JD (U) that a week back was more engrossed in the Lokha assembly by-election in Bihar put the Mandu by-poll on the priority list, quite suddenly. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will pepper-up the poll campaign by agreeing to address two rallies in Mandu on Sunday. He has already dispatched two of his trusted colleagues Shravan Kumar and minister in his government Narendra Singh for Mandu.

Sources close to Nitish though confided that Nitish is playing politically coy over this issue. “He is aware of the rout and ravage of the party in Jharkhand. But, the way the BJP dishonoured the alliance despite knowing that the party president has been contesting, has indeed angered him. He will be in Mandu not merely for campaign but for confidence sake also. We are not in a position to bargain in Jharkhand but certainly not a beggar,” a party insider said.

The state BJP has tactically decided to keep Chief Minister Arjun Munda and its senior leaders off the Mandu, on Sunday, to avert any face-off with Nitish. The BJP-JD (U) relation further worsened in the wake of the Mandu by-election after leaders of both the parties fired salvo against each other over the matter of support. The BJP seems to be caught in the intricacy of its own arguments behind not supporting —local sentiments opposed any support and the decision was taken by the Central BJP leadership.

“After elections are over the JD (U) will raise this matter in the NDA meeting to get at least a convincing reply from the BJP for not supporting us. Was it the decision of Delhi or Ranchi we should have been explained. I can understand the circumstances under which the BJP sided with the JMM in Mandu which the BJP might like to state,” said party’s national general secretary Javed Raza told over telephone from Delhi.

Even if the BJP took politically correct step to support the JMM it erred substantially.  It unconsciously became the victim of JD (U)’s angered reaction just the day BJP announced support to the JMM and let loose some of its robust lungs in media war with the JD (U). “The best way for the BJP would have been to let JD (U) fume and frown at us and pacify them later rather than indulging in a public spat,” a senior BJP leader said.

When the question of alliance in Jharkhand has just been caught in the wind of faithful and unfaithful quotient the JD (U) is prompt enough to place certificate. “If Nitish flagged off the Rath Yatra of BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani over black money and corruption he did it despite it was BJP’s programme because it involved a national issue. BJP is beseeching new ally like AIDMK on the national level but loosing fast one such in Jharkhand,” a senior JD (U) leader said.

With cloud of concern on weekend Munda rushes to US

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Taking time out from the distressing domestic wrangles that he has been facing of late, Arjun Munda flew abroad on Friday, leaving behind two partially-resolved issues — the striking JSEB employees and MLAs fund.

By the time Munda took flight to Delhi this afternoon to board a flight for US; agitating employees of Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB) had called off their strike over privatization of power distribution in Ranchi and Jamshedpur. Munda will return on December 18 likely. 

It is not enforcement of ‘Essential Service Maintenance Act’ on recalcitrant striking employees rather Jharkhand High Court taking suo-motto notice of the strike and severe reprimand over state facing blackout; hastened them to dissolve their agitation. Otherwise they have been calling privatization a corporate conspiracy.

For Munda who holds Energy department; it is a baby step towards reformation and revamp of JSEB. CMO sources said that Munda is quite likely to start the process of unbundling of JSEB which has long been pending. “Reforms are required and even High Court has felt the need of trifurcation of JSEB for professional reasons. Controversy over CESC and Tata Power being given power distribution work in Ranchi and Jamshedpur are unfounded. They will be investing Rs 160 crore and Rs 150 respectively in both towns to install fresh lines and electric transformers. While JSEB bosses have tendency to supply inferior stuff,” CMO sources said.

CMO sources listed merits of above privatization: said companies will stop 32 per cent of transmission loss out of power theft and others. In Ranchi Rs 12 crore of power theft is reported annually and if stopped it will add into shrinking revenue of JSEB.  “Reforms have been initiated in the light of ‘Central Electricity Act 2003.’ Please note it is a personal initiative of CM,” sources added.

But employees’ union on previous occasion had argued the government should give them last chance of to streamline functioning of JSEB on cooperative basis. They sounded like a spoilt child now promising to be disciplined because JSEB has been a house of scam and a horror story of mismanagement all these years.

But over the issue of non-release of MLA fund CMO sources admitted Munda faced isolation inside and outside of the House during recently concluded Winter Session of the assembly. Speaker had to suspend the proceedings because of lack of quorum as MLAs refused to attend the house over non-release of fund from last nine months.

Munda is learnt to be particularly unpleased with his own party MLAs led by his bête noir Raghuwar Das who with behind the scene support of Assembly Speaker CP Singh joined hand with Opposition leader Rajendra Singh over this issue.

Munda assured the House to resolve the issue within 15 days. Munda reportedly expressed displeasure on his deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Mahato and Hemant Soren whom he believed blithely eased responsibility off their shoulders and pretended not a crease of blame, much less a scar. 

“Where is CM is culprit? Technical objections over release of fund were made by the Finance Department held by Hemant Soren and the fund is released by Rural Development Department headed by Sudesh Mahato. And where was public account committee?” a legislator asked.

For two days when the House boomed over the issue; Munda deliberately turned late in the assembly, aware of Das-Singhs tandem having laid deadly trap for him.  Munda can’t bet on calm for a while yet.

Soren calm, son cries bureaucratic highhandedness 

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

They say it takes two to tango. But the dance of the polity was a shade out of step on Wednesday, when Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s father and son sang differing tunes. While a magnanimous JMM chief Shibu Soren exhorted party-men to extend complete support to the coalition Government, his son seemed more weighed down by the more pragmatic compulsions of bureaucracy.

A day before when Soren is supposed to preside the meeting of State Coordination Committee (SCC) as chairman to review performance of coalition government, he summoned meeting of party’s core committee as well as district presidents to gauge their mood about coalition government headed by BJP.

“He (senior) was of the view that the performance of the government should be critically reviewed keeping in mind limitations and odds that the government has been facing in matter of governance. He accepted government need to improve on its performance in certain key areas. He rather advised that any note of dissent or disapproval over the functioning of the government should not cross beyond certain decibel,” a senior JMM functionary said.

Soren was critically high and jarring in his note and sounded like a monarch who is overshadowed, rather crippled by bureaucracy in matter of governance in both the meetings. Hemant Soren, party sources said, was critical about bureaucracy during the meeting of JMM’s minister saying that a particular bureaucratic circle seems to be allergic towards suggestions coming from the JMM’s fold about governance and they are critical and conspiratorial towards departments under the control of the JMM in the government.

Junior Soren was termed the coalition government being shoved and shuttled in different directions by the coalition partners: BJP, JMM, AJSU and JD (U). “He did not refer any particular case to suggest this. He was just giving certain outline of the situation. He indicated communication gap coming in the way of taking a collective decision,” sources said.

Hemant and his party critically differ with the BJP and CM over Nagari land row where CM has refused to buzz under the pressure of the JMM which wanted the government to return land to its owners.

Junior Soren speaking against bureaucracy is an old signature tune which he repeatedly announced from the public platform. But the JMM insiders confided that father gave some useful tips to son to tame-in the bureaucracy.  “He (Soren) advised Hemant against such serial cry and bemoaning in public. He (Hemant) by this way is exposing his own administrative and political incompetence which he should not. JMM is equally responsible if the government is labeled as under achiever,” sources said.

At this moment both JMM and BJP are seems to be in competing clamour to take credit of some of successful the welfare projects started by the government. But the JMM feels the BJP has smartly taken credits to these even ignoring the right claim of JMM.

About Thursday meeting of Coordination Committee; Soren may press for a united effort besides asking government to rein-in the bureaucracy. But at least on one policy decision of the state government Soren decided to defer. A few months back, state government formed a panel to indentify people who took part in separate Jharkhand movement. The government will give them monthly pension on the line of Bihar which started pension plan for the people who had taken part in Jayprakash Narayan led movement during 70s.

“We don’t have problem with panel. We have objection that district and block officials have been asked to prepare the list. The government should have asked political parties involved in that movement to furnish ground list of such people. We beg to defer here. We have formed a committee of the party in this regard,” Soren said after the meeting.

But those who know Soren don’t offer any guarantee that Soren will not cry hoarse against the government on Thursday.

The darling of scamsters now in pit of despair

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

“The ground had receded horribly; the drop appeared terrifying out of all proportion to this height he had reached. From the ground such a height would have appeared un-noteworthy.”

From The Vertical Ladder by William Sansom

If not the story, at least former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda is metaphorically close to Sansom’s poor boy Flegg, who was instigated by his friends to climb a vertical ladder to reach dizzying height of an old gasometer. At the top he was in the grip of isolation and fears with no way to climb down: his friends had vanished and ladder removed.   

Decency doesn’t allow commemoration of jail going anniversary of a convict or a suspect. On November 30, three years back, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda was arrested for massive corruption charges which investigative agencies are still struggling to find out exact figure of heist. Couple of his associates in alleged corruption (Koda & Co, that’s how investigative agencies often refer to) Binod Sinha, Vikash Sinha, Vijay Joshi etc were arrested and charge-sheets were produced against couple of them.

Koda has been granted bail in few cases but denied in the rest because he was dubbed as mastermind and key of huge loot of public money of a poor state: Rs 2500 crore and even more. It is beyond the capacity of a normal calculator of nine digit flash to compute the alleged heist. But if one divides the money made by Koda and his cahoots, Binod and Sanjay Choudhary, by the number of days he remained as CM (23 months) and as minister of mines in the BJP-led Arjun Munda government, it is whopping Rs 3.6 crore a day.

Those in the power portal who controlled him as Chief Minister and baptized him in corruption are loath to admit him as friend. And the man is desperately begging sympathy and support against frustrating numbers of sections of penal code imposed on him which he refutes false and fabricated. “Charges against me are politically motivated. Sometimes they (investigative agencies) say I made more than Rs 3,549.72 crore, sometimes the figures go higher. They claim I invested in abroad. Why don’t they bring proofs? How long will they keep me in jail,” Koda had told The Pioneer during Presidential election.      

This year Income Tax Department issued him a notice to pay fine of Rs 1200 crore against his undisclosed assets. The CBI and Enforcement Directorate claim Koda individually minted Rs 1,340 crore out of allotment of mining lease, rural electrification projects and others.

Koda may not be totally wrong in claiming innocence but probing agencies are also not wrong in claiming the man compromised with conscience to indulge in corruption.

A simple and innocent tribal man rose from a petty miner at Gua mines in Chaibasa to Chief Minister of Jharkhand and earned a place in the Limca Book of Records for being the first independently elected legislator to have led a State for such a long time.

But what goes up must come down. “I don’t know whether he regrets or not from behind the bar but he must be thinking as to what went wrong with him in the pits of despair. Look at this man everybody despise he has become a generic name of corruption in Jharkhand,” Ashok Sarangi a resident of Gua known to Koda observed.

Koda is critical legal and political story: the man who took the wrong man’s company just like Flegg.