Congress' photo finish

The money that the Centre had been sending to the states for development schemes has been of no use to Congressmen in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh. That’s because Chief Minister Raman Singh’s photograph is attached to every identity card issued for different schemes. So, although the schemes are funded by the Congress-led Union government, a smiling picture of Singh has diverted the political benefits to the BJP kitty. Finally, on Sunday Union Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh visited the Naxal-infested Dantewada district and local Congress leaders brought the matter to his notice. The minister offered little help. First, he told his partymen that they should lodge a case against the chief minister; then realising that the slow pace of justice is unlikely to help, he lamely suggested that they visit beneficiaries and orally inform them about the centrally-sponsored schemes.