Austerity drive? U'khand CM to distribute minister-level posts

Despite a call by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for austerity measures, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh P Nishank has decided to distribute minister-level posts, popularly called ‘lal battis’, to MLAs and state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

An approval to this effect has already been taken by the party high command, official sources said here today.

Those who are vying for such posts include Bachi Singh Rawat, who was recently removed from the post of the state party chief.

According to a rough estimate, the distribution of these posts that would be nearly 30-40 would put a burden of Rs 10 crore on the state exchequer, which is already reeling under the impact of the Sixth Pay Commission. The Sixth Pay Commission has already put a burden of Rs 2,500 crore on the state exchequer.

An indication for the distribution of ministerial level posts has already been given by Nishank, who has justified the move in the larger interest of the party.

Significantly, Nishank had withdrawn such posts soon after he became the chief minister in June.

But later, the pressure mounted on him especially after the BJP won the Vikasnagar Assembly by-election early this month.

“For boosting the morale of our workers, these posts are justified,” said a top state BJP leader.

These posts are mainly in the state-run corporations like Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) and various other committees where these leaders would be made their heads as chairpersons or deputy chairpersons. BJP had opposed tooth and nail the distribution of ministerial level posts in bulk during the tenure of former Chief Minister N D Tiwari.

But when BJP itself formed the government in 2007 Assembly by-elections, Khanduri provided nearly 50-60 posts to state party leaders, which in turn was opposed by the Congress this time.

“In the next few days, am announcement regarding ‘lal battis’ would be made,” said the party leader.