FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2022 | GAJENDRA SINGH NEGI | DEHRADUN
GRAVE THREAT
Even as 228 terminated employees of Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha are fighting a legal battle for their reinstatement in the jobs and are anxiously waiting for the decision of the Uttarakhand High Court (HC) on the issue, the heartbeats of some politicians and power brokers in the Himalayan State are increasing. These employees who were appointed in the Vidhan Sabha during the tenure of former speakers, Govind Singh Kunjwal and Prem Chandra Agarwal were removed when a committee constituted by the incumbent speaker Ritu Khanduri found they were appointed in gross violation of every possible norm which a fair and transparent recruitment process should have. These employees have now knocked the door of the HC with an argument that a similar process was followed to appoint their predecessors also but they have escaped the axe. It is learnt that some of these employees have threatened that in case of an adverse court order they would not hesitate to expose those who helped them in securing the job in Vidhan Sabha and at what cost this help came to them. Not to mention that this warning has resulted in sleepless nights for some.
BHAGAT BATTERED
Known to put his foot firmly in the mouth frequently, the veteran leader of the saffron party in Uttarakhand, Banshidhar Bhagat slip of tongue has landed him in the soup again. This time his tongue, adept in the skill of becoming wayward, made casual remarks while talking about Hindu Goddesses Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga and Lord Vishnu and Shiva. It appears that the former minister and former head of the Uttarakhand BJP attempted to copy the famous poet known for his brilliant comic sense, Surendra Sharma by cracking one of his old jokes. However not everyone was amused by his ill timed and disastrous attempt to elicit laughter from the audience which Sharma does with a professional perfection. As Bhagat got trolled in the social media and the Congress and other opposition parties pounced on him, the veteran leader tendered an apology. The leadership of the BJP and the young CM Pushkar Singh Dhami must be thanking the heavens for having made a wise decision of not including him in the cabinet.
BENIGN BABU
Years of unflinching loyalty and dedication towards a powerful babu proved beneficial for an officer who was scheduled to retire soon. This officer has been attached in the office of a one member dedicated commission in a directorate of the department headed by the husband of the babu. The officer on whom this powerful couple has bestowed its benignity is in all likelihood to remain in this position for a period of five years after his retirement. Naturally he is happy to get the plum assignment which is akin to an extension in service of five years just ahead of his superannuation.
