States Watch

Delhi

‘Bhagidari’ Best Safeguard For Citizens’ Rights

Baghdad Gurdwara NEW DELHI : The Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter to the Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt. Amrinder Singh on 15 April and suggested that the Punjab government take initiative to carry out the necessary repairs and reconstruction of the historic Gurudwara in Baghdad which has suffered damages as a result of the recent war in Iraq.

NEW DELHI : The Delhi Chief Minister, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, on 19 April said her Government’s ‘Bhadigari’ initiative during the past three years had established itself as a unique and pioneering exercise in democratic governance based on devolution and decentralisation of power to citizens.

Smt. Dikshit, who was speaking at the inaugural function of the ‘Bhagidari Mela’ organised in the Capital, said the concept signifies coordination, cooperation and trust between the citizen and the Government, and the fair symbolised the establishment of growing synergy between them.

Terming ‘Bhagidari’ as the best safeguard for citizens’ rights, the Delhi Chief Minister said the movement should now strive to establish a system where ‘Bhagidari’ meant awareness and pro-activity among citizens, and transparency, responsiveness, accountability and efficiency on the part of the Government.

Thousands of people from across the Capital visited the ‘Bhagidari Mela’ where over 1,500 groups including resident welfare associations, non-government organisations and housing societies took part. The mela exhibited successful implementation of various schemes under the aegis of ‘Bhagidari’.

Dr. Shambhu Shrivastwa Joins Congress

NEW DELHI : The Samata Party general secretary and spokesman, Dr. Shambhu Shrivastwa, joined the Congress Party here on 12 May. The announcement was made by CWC member and general secretary Shri R.K. Dhawan, here at the press briefing. Expressing gratitude to Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, for welcoming him into the Party, Dr. Shrivastwa said, "the decision to quit Samata party and part company with the NDA comes after serious introspection". The Party High Command has asked him to work in Bihar.

 

Goa

Reservation for SC Communities Demanded

GPCC president Smt. Nirmala Sawant garlanding the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi at the SC/ST conference.

PANAJI : The Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) conference, organised by the Goa Pradesh Congress on 23 February demanded reservation of seats to ST community in both State Legislative Assembly and Zilla Panchayats. The resolution to this effect was adopted at the day-long SC-ST conference held at Institute Menezes Braganza Hall, Panaji, Goa. The GPCC president, Smt. Nirmala Sawant presided over the conference.

The resolution said that since the three communities from Goa were given the constitutional status as ST for the first time, the government should initiate a process for providing reservation of seats to the communities in the democratic institution both at the state level and the district level panchayat bodies. The resolution was moved by GPCC (SC Cell) Chairman, Shri Shambhu Bhau Bandekar and was seconded by Shri Luis Alex Cardoso.

In another resolution the conference opined that the state government has done grave injustice on the SC community members by reducing the reservation quota for the SC from 10 percent to 2 percent in educational institutions and employment and demanded to increase the reservation quota. The speakers also stressed the need to include the Dhangar community into the ST list and urged the government to expedite the matter with the Central Government.

The speakers ridiculed the Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar’s statement that the population of the ST community members was 10 percent of the total state’s population and claimed the ST communities population strength was 25 percent. The Dy. Opposition leader, Shri Dayanand Narvekar alleged that the government was deliberately showing wrong figures so as to deny the benefit to the ST members. The St. Cruz MLA, Smt. Victoria Fernandes, Shri Luis Alex Cardoso, Shri Vasant Molyo, Shri Gangaram Moraskar also spoke. Earlier Shri Shambhu Bhau Bandekar welcomed the guests while Shri Atansio Monteiro organised the function.

Gujarat Bachao Rally A Big Success

GANDHINAGAR : The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee organised a ‘Gujarat Bachao Rally’ here on May 1, coinciding with the Gujarat Foundation Day, where party leaders mounted a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi government alleging that the BJP regime had failed on all fronts and brought misery to the five crore people of the State.

Braving scorching summer heat, large number of Congress workers from different parts of the state descended on Gandhinagar to participate in the rally. The rally was addressed by senior party leaders like Shri Shankersinh Vaghela, Shri Amarsinh Chaudhary, Shri Madhusudan Mistry, Shri Pravin Rashtrapal, Urmilaben Patel, Shaktisinh Gohil, Narhari Amin, Satyajit Gaekwad, Arvind Sanghvi and Mohansinh Rathwa among others, according to GPCC spokesman Shri Jayantilal B. Parmar.

Addressing the rally, GPCC president, Shri Shankersinh Vaghela attacked the Modi government for initiating a move to install electric power meters in the farm sector and also increase the horse power-based power tarrif. He said the farmers’ economy was already under stress due to recurring droughts and rising prices of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides. And the increase in power tarrif would only worsen their condition.

He said the law and order situation has worsened in the state and the poor and middle class people are facing worst-ever situation arising out of sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities. Shri Vaghela lashed out at the BJP regime for the ever-growing violence in the state after Modi being installed as the chief minister and said that the law and order situation has collapsed since his coming to power. He also criticised the BJP regime for not being able to protect its former home minister, Shri Haren Pandya who was murdered in broad daylight.

The Congress Legislature Party leader, Shri Amarsinh Chaudhary said "considering the critical financial condition of the state, the ruling party should have called off the celebrations".

Aneesa Begum Mirza is the first woman in India from minorities to become a Mayor of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

Jayantilal B. Parmar is the first dalit to become Chairman of the Standing Committee of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.