"What is wrong in giving land to the software companies? The company said it would invest hundred million rupees and provide employment to 5,000 people. Is it not development? How would development come?" The revenue minister Mr Ram Yadav sought to know.
While some media persons looked convinced, others kept shooting questions as to why the government chose to alienate precious land to non-software companies.
Irked by the question, the minister said, "Am I supposed to comment on all sundry questions? We have our own way of bringing development. We have public mandate and we know what is good for the people." He did not mind other questions and hastily walked away.
For quite sometime, the Opposition Peoples Movement leaders have been questioning the initiatives of the government. The ruling People Front members ignored them and whenever the media men pointed out, they accused the Opposition of politicising every issue.
"The Peoples Movement is trying to gain political mileage." "They are desperate to come back to power" were the oft repeated remarks made by the ministers and ruling party legislators.
The Opposition party did not relent. They accused the ministers of receiving kickbacks by alienating precious land in favour of rich people and their relatives. They said the government could distribute land to the poor for housing, only to instigate people.
The revenue minister Mr Yadav came prepared with a bunch of papers to the Secretariat and called for a press conference one day. He listed out the bits and pieces of land alienated in favour of private companies by the Opposition while in power the previous term. He also gave details about the companies that did not invest or create any employment but only existed on paper. The minister thus wanted to shut the mouths of opposition leaders.’
The next day, the Opposition party too came out with the similar documents that clearly exposed the ruling party which simply gave away lands to the companies that too existed only on paper. The party also came out with some evidence that pointed out how much money the ruling party leaders amassed since assuming the power four years ago.
The media persons kept themselves busy covering the press conferences that were hosted by ruling and opposition parties. Often, they too prompted the leaders to organize one when they badly needed a good copy for the day. The politicians sometimes courteously obliged.
When the elections came and ruling party lost the power, the Opposition Peoples Movement leaders came to power. They busied themselves finding out new welfare programmes. The ruling party members who came to opposition without wasting anytime began attacking the new government. And the game went on with the media persons as witnesses.
Again Mr Ram Yadav became impatient. This time for the ruckus that was going on at home one morning. His wife Leelavathi was arguing with the domestic help in the backyard. His wife answered him. "Suddenly this woman demands more salary."
Mr Yadav became very angry and asked `what do you think of yourself? Do you know to whom are you talking to?’
Fear stricken woman folded her hands and said "Sir, I have only asked for an increase in my salary. I have to come from far off place changing two buses to reach early to your house. All that you give goes towards my bus charges.
"It is your problem," Mr Yadav said rudely and continued `why don't you rent a home near rather stay at such a distant place?'
"Sir, I do not get a house for rent here. I cannot afford even if I get one. This is the place where only the rich can live," she replied.
Sensing sarcasm in her reply, he again said "It is your problem. You better stop working in my home. We will look for another servant," Mr Yadav shouted at her.
The old maid pleaded but in vain. The former minister refused to revise his maid's salary thinking that she will go on demanding more or other servants might also follow suit.
The former minister engaged himself reading the newspapers browsing to find out how well his comments against the government were displayed. His son suddenly came rushing down from upstairs. He said grandmother suddenly fell down and lay unconscious.
Mr Yadav jumped out of his sofa and ran upstairs. He asked his son to call for an ambulance. He admitted her to the corporate hospital. As the doctors examining in Intensive Care Unit, he waited in the corridors remembering how happy his mother was when he became the minister. He longed for her smile again and again. As soon as the doctor came out wiping his hands, the former minister eagerly reached him and without allowing the doctor to speak said “Is she alright doctor? Do all that you can and I am prepared to spend any amount."
The doctor said `It is not the question of money. She suffered a heart stroke and she cannot withstand another. Let us see."
Soon, Mr Yadav’s well wishers, party men and relatives arrived at the hospital to console him and to see the condition of his mother.
But the poor woman succumbed when a second stroke attacked her late that night. The whole family plunged into deep sorrow. There was endless stream of visitors, mostly those who benefitted from him and who aspired to get benefit in future. Everyone talked about according a grand funeral to the old woman, though they did not know her earlier. The minister too considered it an opportunity to show his strength by making it big.
Mr Satyam, the personal secretary of the former minister came and whispered into the ears of his boss.
"Sir, the arrangements for the last rites of your deceased mother were made in the village located 80 kilometeres east side of the city that falls in the neighbouring district."
Mr Yadav was shocked. "What? Neighbouring district? Why?" he wondered.
"Sir, there is no place here within 80 kilometres to cremate the dead," he replied.
"Are you mad?" shouted the former minister. "There is a smashan vatika on the way to new bus stand we developed on right side of the city," he reminded his secretary.
"Sorry sir, we issued a GO shifting it to outskirts as the burial ground was in the midst of the newly formed residential colonies," he said.
"Then there is one old cremation ground where we built the state of the art stadium on the west side. We can go there," Mr Yadav pointed out.
"Sorry sir, since the stadium came up there, the value of the land had gone up and people occupied whole of the burial ground. Our government issued GO regularising the illegal occupations to raise revenue," the secretary reminded.
Dumbstruck and helpless former minister suddenly came out of the senses and wanted the secretary to ensure the cremation by evening.
The secretary again said "Sorry sir."
"Why again sorry?” He posed impatiently.
"Sir, it is 2 pm now. We cannot negotiate the city traffic and reach that village early. It will be dark by then. According to our traditions, cremation cannot take place after sunset. It can be done only tomorrow morning," the secretary explained.
Mr Yadav looked puzzled. Like a deflated tyre, he collapsed in the sofa and tried to solve the riddle which he did not quite understand.
Ends/
No comments:
Post a Comment