Nashik diary

For decades, illicit liquor dens have been flourishing in the Waghadi nullah area. The hooch business, launched by a group of leprosy-affected people, has passed into the hands of some local goons, who carry on their business undisturbed.

The local corporator, the Congress Party8217;s Asha Bhoge wife of former Congress corporator Bhagwan Bhoge, who is now the district unit chief of the Samajwadi Party has been demanding action against the illicit distilleries and even filed complaints with the concerned authorities last year. She named seven persons who she claimed were running the hooch trade. However, no action has been taken against them.

So when Asha Bhoge submitted a memorandum to State Health Minister Daulatrao Aher at his janatadarbar, demanding closure of the hooch dens and the minister countersigned it and handed it over to the police, it seemed a routine affair. Vijay Sane was present at the darbar and echoed Bhoge8217;s views on the matter.

But the trouble started when photocopies of the memorandum were circulated in the Waghadi area. Sane8217;s house was attacked. Subsequently, Sane launched an agitation, marching to the Panchvati police station and accusing Inspector Aher of circulating copies of the complaint to the bootleggers.When Sane contacted Dr Aher a BJP minister, the latter asked him to 8220;refrain from making it an issue8221;. The 8220;issue8221; in any case had been taken up by Bhoge and all the credit would go to her, he reasoned. Inspector Aher on the other hand reportedly claimed that he was immune to punitive action as he was related to Aher, the minister.

When Sane refused to withdraw his stir, city police commissioner Ambalal Verma asked Inspector Aher to proceed on leave, promising action within a week.

Sane has nowaccused Dr Aher and the latter8217;s brother Balasaheb Aher who was chairperson of the civic standing committee last year, deputy mayor Balasaheb Sanap BJP, Dr Aher8217;s blue-eyed boy Sanjay Chavan also a BJP corporator of scuttling action against the bootleggers. A routine complaint by a Congress corporator has evidently boomeranged on the BJP. The city chief Sane was antagonised, exposing the interests of Dr Aher 8212; who countersigned Bhoge8217;s complaint without ordering action against Inspector Aher 8212; and local BJP leaders. Now, did someone mention 8220;illicit distilleries?8221;

Joshi-Munde Gap

During his last days of chief ministership, Manohar Joshi visited Nashik to personality invite Jnanpith Award winner Marathi litterateur V W Shirwadkar alias Kusumagraj8217; and playwright Vasant Kanetkar for the Marathi literary conference in Mumbai.

Unlike Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde, who is known to keep people waiting for him, Joshi was punctual. When he met Kanetkar, the writer could not helpcommenting that Joshi had kept perfect time.

Kanetkar should know. Last year, Munde, as chairperson of the reception committee of a similar conference in Ambejogai, had come to invite Kanetkar to the meet. And had kept the author waiting for hours.

Easy Way Out

When in a hurry, bend the rules. But when at work, go by the book. This truth was brought home to passengers of a State Transport bus plying between Pavan Nagar and Panchvati when the vehicle ground to a halt midway.The driver obviously needed help, so some of the passengers got off and threw their weight behind the vehicle. The conductor, to their astonishment, stayed put.

How about some assistance, someone asked the conductor. Pat came the reply: 8220;I am not paid to push buses.8221;

You needn8217;t bother either, he told the group trying to get the bus started. 8220;Start walking, or grab another vehicle.!8221;