Hoarders and Black-Marketers Rule Orissa; Supply Secretary blames the Media: What a Govt!

Subhas Chandra Pattanayak

As long as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is not rejected by the people, how much massive may be allegations against them, they shall continue to govern Orissa, assert the tainted ministers sans any shame.

But Supply Secretary Madhusudan Padhy has made it clear that hoarders and black-marketers de facto rule the State at the moment. He has blamed the media for creation of this situation, as according to him, the publicity given to the approaching cyclonic storm has precipitated panic purchase and resultant black market.

The Supply Secretary’s statement has two confessions: one, media activism in making people aware of impending dangers is not appreciated by this government and two, hoarders and black-marketers are having their heydays in Orissa.

Mark what various Oriya newspapers have headlined today on hoarding and back-marketing.

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The words used and style applied are different, but what they convey has no difference. These headlines are on one specific item – potatoes.

This is the most sought after staple vegetable that has disappeared from the market. Whosoever can afford, get it from the black market at exorbitant rate, all these newspapers say.

The ruling party has suffered the demise of its MP from Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency and therefore, winning the ensuing by-election has become the worst ever experience of challenge to it, in the aftermath of its co-founder and former finance minister Prafulla Ghadei’s scathing attack on Naveen Patnaik’s probity and political acumen . In order not to lose the election, Naveen is depending on money and ministers as a result of which a dozen of ministers including the supply minister are camping in Kandhamal constituency area. Money is to flow into the constituency from as many sources as possible.

When political parties need money to expose the ruling party’s misrule in election times, the ruling party needs more money to overcome the impact of its misrule and, everybody knows, coffers of a ruling party can get the desired flow only if black markets are allowed to swell.

And, that is what exactly is happening now. And, if this reading is not incorrect, there is no possibility of any leash on black market till votes are sealed in EVMa in Kandhamal.

What a government!

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