People's Democracy

on file

MR Lal Muni Choubey and Mr Sushil Kumar Modi, both BJP members of the Lok Sabha from Bihar, were found missing from their berths no 31, 32, 33 and 34 of coach number A 1 of second AC in Patna-Bangalore Express last (September 3) night.

In their place the persons travelling in the coach were L M Singh, S R Singh, S K Sharma and R S Prasad. The four passengers claimed when intercepted at Naini station that they were ‘escorts’ of the two MPs. The MPs are allowed one escort to travel free with them but only when the MPs themselves are physically travelling. The berths were booked in the name of the two BJP MPs, officials in the Rail Bhavan said today (September 4). All the passengers who were Bangalore bound to take part in the agitation against the arrest of Miss Uma Bharti were forced to cough out Rs 14,464 as fare including the penalty charges.

— The Statesman, September 5

AS Ms Uma Bharti bides her time in jail, leaders in the state BJP have started lobbying for vacant posts in government-run bodies. At the same time, supporters of the imprisoned sadhvi are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping that their didi will be able to safeguard their interests.

Leaders all over the state have started thronging their mentors who have supported Mr Gaur against Ms Bharti. "My boss has been standing behind Mr Gaur since Ms Bharti’s camp started angling for her re-entry in the state. We paid dearly for not deserting our leader when Ms Bharti was the chief minister. Now, it’s our turn. The organisation and Mr Gaur should compensate us for the losses and rein in Ms Bharti’s supporters," said an MLA who belonged to the anti-Uma camp and was a ministerial aspirant……

Ms Bharti amply rewarded her supporters as soon as she assumed the chief ministerial charge….Of the 16 persons appointed as the head of different board corporations, 11 are known to be her supporters.

— The Pioneer, September 5

THE prevailing drought has created a "hunger-like" situation in entire Jharkhand, according to a report released by an NGO.

The survey conducted by NGO ‘Gram Swaraj Abhiyan’ in 96 villages of Godda, Deoghar, Pakur, Palamu, Garhwa, Latehar, Ranchi and East Singhbhum, representing more or less the entire state, said that about 80 per cent of the upland paddy land has been left unsown……

They described the state government’s response to the situation as "highly inadequate." The delivery system for social security schemes has almost collapsed…

"Nearly 54 per cent of Antodaya beneficiaries have not received grains since June 4, and over 71 per cent of Annapurna card holders have not received grains since the advent of drought this year," it said.

The status of human days created during June 4 to August 15, under government and non-government sector was also dismal as compared was also dismal as compared to the magnitude of the problem.

— National Herald, September 5

TWO British women, who have sought damages to the tune of Rs 22 crore from Gujarat government for the death of their husbands during post-Godhra riots, on Saturday (September 4) urged a court in Himmatnagar not to allow CM Narendra Modi and six others to file written replies to their suit.

According to A M Malek, who appeared for Shameema Dawood and Sheeren Dawood, they have filed an application that Modi and six others must not be allowed to file their written statements as the stipulated 90 day period is already over.

— The Times of India, September 5