The rush to grab “premium seats” — the ones close to the boss — is not just confined to political events. The trend can be seen in official meetings also. There was a rush among officers of all the states to occupy the front row in regional meeting of the Planning ommission. Even those who came late were pleading for a seat near Bihar and Orissa chief ministers Nitish Kumar, Naveen Patnaik, Jharkhand deputy chief ministers Sudesh Mahto and Hemant Soren, and ministers of other states. All wanted to show their face to their respective bosses,” said a senior officer, who was apparently irritated by the fact that he was pushed back to the rear seat. The fight for “premier seats” and places in political events is well known. There have been several incidents where two groups belonging to the same political party clashed near or even on the stage just for a place near their leader. “Showing their presence before their leaders is essential in politics because their career depends on it. It’s the leaders who give tickets. But now the trend has crept into the bureaucracy too,” a retired fficer said. Madhubani painting is a traditional form of art practised by the women of Mithilanchal region. The art got worldwide publicity when late LN Mishra was a Union minister and since then successive governments publicised it as “world famous Madhubani painting”. When Madhubani paintings were handed over to all the delegates at the Planning Commission meet as gifts, a few appeared to know about its existence. “One of the delegates asked me if it was a bed sheet and another thanked me for the beautiful table cloth,” an officer, assigned the task of distributing the paintings, aid. “Perhaps the government needs to promote his art form seriously,” e added. Ramesh Lal, the IAS officer who retired on May 31, superannuated on a wrong day. It was the day when the state government cracked a whip on some officers for the murder of doctor Budhdeo Singh in a Gopalganj jail. Some TV channels flashed that Lal had been suspended. The officer did not even bother to contradict the news. “I am going home on the official vehicle from where I will release the car forever,” the IAS officer said, adding that he as now beyond the world of news and contradictions. Ultimately, it became clear that the officer had been removed from his post on the last day of his service. The other officers in the department declared that Lal was going out at the right moment because the rest will feel the heat of the lapses on the part of the jail authorities that led to the murder of the doctor. Chief minister Nitish Kumar has been going out of his way of late to meet students performing outstandingly in various exams. A couple of days ago he met the joint topper of Bihar School Examination Board and presented her a laptop. He also met the successful IIT-JEE candidates. Nitish has openly aired his support for the formation of an advisory body of talented children. His opponents are amused. “We hope the children rub their talent on his ministers. Most of them need it,” said an RJD leader.
Friday, 19 December 2025
