Ramesh jibe

During his recent Orissa trip, Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh was constantly grilled by mediapersons about the NREGS scam being probed by the CBI and the impression that he gathered about the working of rural development schemes in the state during his field visits to Ganjam and Kandhamal districts. Ramesh, who initially tried to stave them off saying it was hard to arrive at an opinion after a short visit, turned sarcastic when they kept pressing for a more specific reply. “I think the best person to deal with you is your chief minister, who does not answer any of your questions,” he remarked acerbically.

CM writes to PM

Despite criticism, chief minister Naveen Patnaik continues to hone his epistolary skills. In his latest missive to the Prime Minister, Naveen is reported to have sought extension of time for the payment of crop insurance premium by the farmers. The Centre had earlier extended this date once on the request of the state government but many farmers failed to take advantage of the opportunity and may turn defaulters in the event of a further extension not being granted. Hence Naveen has urged the Prime Minister to ask the Union agriculture ministry to allow farmers to pay their premiums till August 30. Farmers would hope the Prime Minister responds favourably to the missive.

Bad publicity

Culture minister Prafulla Samal cut a sorry face when veteran actor Sarat Pujari resigned as president, Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi, citing “humiliating” circumstances, including a meagre pay packet of Rs 5,000. Samal’s ministry had apparently assured Pujari of better working conditions and salary when he took charge of the institution but failed to keep its promises. Sources said that the thespian’s resignation was yet to be accepted by the minister who might make amends but the episode has shown him in poor light. Stalwarts from the world of art and culture are unlikely to take the government on its word in future.

Singhdeo upset

State BJP legislature Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo is upset having received an extortion call from an alleged Maoist leader who demanded foodgrains and money. Such call was something unheard of in Balangir, the home district of Singhdeo, a former minister and scion of the local royal family. An angry Singhdeo has shot off a letter to chief minister Naveen Patnaik wondering what must be the plight of common citizens when political leaders were getting such calls. Singhdeo was anguished that his home district, where peace ruled in the past, was fast turning into a Maoist citadel with the government doing precious little about it.

Back to college

For Cuttack-Bhubaneswar police commissioner B.K. Sharma, college days are far from over. A postgraduate in history, the top cop has enrolled himself in the University Law College, Vani Vihar, for the bachelor’s in law course. Excited about being part of the university life once again, Sharma was seen asking fellow students on the campus whether he would be eligible to vote in the college elections or not. One must appreciate the spirit of the man. But one could be sure that his fellow students would think twice before sharing too much of campus information with him because it would always be on their minds that the police may very well use that information against them if required. Vani Vihar, after all, is one of the most volatile campuses in the state.

Rout trouble for BJD

Former agriculture minister Damodar Rout seems hell-bent on embarrassing his own party government. He was at his aggressive best as the Assembly discussed the issue of block grants for high schools taking the ruling party members by complete surprise. He also lambasted the government for opening new ports along the coast without making a proper feasibility study. Considering that Rout is one of the most experienced MLAs in the House and an excellent debater, he could make life difficult for the Biju Janata Dal ministers if he continues in this vein. If ruling party sources are to be believed, chief minister Naveen Patnaik may soon have a word with his former cabinet colleague in this regard.