No more Mitras

There was a time when chief minister Nitish Kumar was offering doles to thousands of people by appointing them as Mitras (friends). He created Siksha Mitras, Tola Mitra, Nyay Mitra and other semi-government employees who received a monthly stipend.

However, his Mitra enthusiasm seems to be on the wane. Recently at his Jan Samvad, somebody advised him to appoint Yojana Mitras at the village level to ensure government projects are implemented.

Nitish shot down the proposal right away. "There will be no more Mitras. They become enemies by holding rallies and protests demanding full pay. The state does not have the capacity to pay salaries to lakhs of people," he said. An official remarked: "The chief minister seems to have understood the dangers of creating para-government employees. The state has to cough up Rs 7,000 crore more to pay teachers appointed on contractual basis."

Sycophants & advisers

When a big political leader appeals to people for advice, there is always the fear of sycophants dominating the show and not genuine people from the grassroots.

Recently at the chief minister's Jan Samvad, a person was praising Nitish on how the education scenario had improved. After a while, the chief minister was fed up. "I make these speeches every day. You are just repeating my speech. If you have any advice to offer, please do so," said an irritated Nitish. Incidentally, his first effort to get feedback was called "Gup Shup at 1 Aney Marg", where he wished to hold dialogue with the general masses to get their feedback.

"Unfortunately, the event too ended up becoming a show of sycophancy dominated by ticket- and favour-seekers. Ultimately, the programme was abruptly terminated," recalled a JDU leader, wondering if the Jan Samvad was going the same way.

Music of health

At a recent function at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, health minister Tej Pratap Yadav regaled the crowd by playing the flute. His action drew adverse comments from BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, who asked his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad to outsource the health department as his son was only interested in music.

But young Tej Pratap was unmoved and said music came from his heart and it should find a release. In fact the crowd, particularly medicos, was thrilled.

"It must be the first live show by a health minister," remarked a young medico. One of them pointed out that ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him "Kishan Kanhaiya" on January 5, Bihar's health minister appears to have taken to playing the flute seriously.

UP bound

RJD chief Lalu Prasad has lately been skipping social engagements like weddings on the pretext that he is busy over the Uttar Pradesh elections. Many who came to invite him were told that LaluI was UP-bound and would not be able to attend.

One person who invited Lalu to a wedding got the staple reply. The man then told him that the marriage was in April, by when Uttar Pradesh elections would be long over. "Then why have you invited me so early," asked an irritated Lalu, telling him to remind him after March.

"Of course the results of UP might decide if Laluji attends or skips the wedding," said another onlooker.