Wednesday, March 14, 2001
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A use for Mr Jogi's cash 

 
Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi says he has Rs 552 crore in the state kitty to bid afresh for Balco. Mr Jogi will do well to spend that money on improving literacy, providing access to drinking water, giving shelter to the homeless in backward Chhattisgarh, leaving the likes of Mr Agarwal of Sterlite Industries Ltd to run Balco. A cash-rich chief minister of a backward state should have better use for his money than run an aluminium company. Chhattisgarh is among the poorer states of India, with a population of impoverished tribals plagued by high illiteracy and unemployment, abysmal infrastructure development and serious health, sanitation and housing issues in their region. Why not spend this sum on creating jobs and incomes, on building roads, on opening up health centers and schools? A grateful citizenry would then rush to vote him back to power - always the ultimate objective of a career politician. Even better for the beleaguered chief minister, Mr Jogi would have numerous supporters for thisaction plan - this newspaper for one.

The `Revive-Chhattisgarh' plan could be monitored by us, a careful eye kept on the manner in which funds are disbursed, the type and viability of projects undertaken and the functioning of the bureaucracy. Moreover, in an ultimate display of support, we could even assist the chief minister in drawing up a report card (a la the finance minister's Action Taken Report), comparing promises with action taken, which would then serve as a yardstick for his success. It's not too late, Mr Jogi. Take up the cause earnestly and let Mr `Sterlite' Agarwal carry on with the task of running aluminium companies. Mr Agarwal can be forgiven for not carrying out social service or tasks aimed at upliftment or emancipation, but the elected state government of Chhattisgarh has not the luxury of running minerals companies at the cost of its people. Surely, Mr Jogi is a seasoned enough politician to know the positive externalities of spending money on the poor rather than the organised working class in public enterprises.

Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.

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