Raipur diary

Opposition puts up 'wanted' posters of ministers

While the ruling BJP ministers and legislators are undertaking foot marches across Chhattisgarh, the Opposition Congress is pasting posters of ministers, MLAs and MPs dubbing them as “missing” and “wanted” in Raipur. The posters accuse the ruling party leaders of ignoring the plights of the masses and adds that all BJP MLAs and ministers are undertaking Jansampark Yatra with an eye on election, But, the BJP leaders claim they are getting ‘ashirwad’ (blessings) from the masses in their ongoing programme owing to development works.

Data error leaves education dept red-faced

Outgoing principal secretary, education, Vikasheel has pointed out some discrepancies in the school education department’s data that highlighted its achievements. The IAS officer, who is leaving for New Delhi on a Central deputation, saw the facts and figures on Twitter account of the department. He, then, brought it to the notice of the officials. An ‘embarrassed’ education department was quick to remove the data from its Twitter handle. One of the inputs was regarding government schools in Chhattisgarh. The principal secretary asked the school education department to re-check the figures again following which the wrong data were removed.

Award for Shyam Benegal

Chhattisgarh will confer Kishore Sahu memorial national award to veteran film director and screenwriter Shyam Benegal. The award was constituted this year by the cultural department in memory of Kishore Sahu. Sahu was a film actor, director and producer who appeared in 22 films between 1937 and 1980 and directed over 20 movies. The award will be given to creative writers, directors, actors and screenwriters in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi cinema.

Complaint box outside schools

The Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed complaint box be put up outside schools in Raipur. The idea is to let students discreetly submit their complaints regarding any wrongdoing of teachers, non-teaching staff, classmates and even parents. But, several schools have questioned who would corroborate the charges filed by “anonymous” complainants. Some private schools declared that their counselling mechanism and internal grievance resolving system are enough to look into the concerns of students and their parents.

Ejaz Kaiser

Our correspondent in Chhattisgarh

ejaz@newindianexpress.com