Near 100-day mark, Raman far from his target

BJP insiders say Singh is pursuing Jogi’s schemes for want of alternatives. They also claim the CM runs the government by proxy. All crucial issues are first discussed at the core committee of state’s top six BJP leaders, including Singh. As far as running the state is concerned, Singh is a greenhorn. Assisting him is a team of equally inexperienced ministers — 15 out of 17 are first-timers.

Singh himself says: ‘‘The 100-day period is too short to transform things or perform a miracle, but this period will reflect one thing — a sincere effort towards public good.’’

To his credit are just a few local initiatives — opening dal-bhaat kendras (meal counters) for the poor and a scheme on distribution of iodised salt to Adivasis at 25 paise per kg.

Singh’s biggest headache, however, is the party manifesto as it would practically be impossible to implement some of the points in it. For example, the scheme on providing a cow to every Adivasi family. Some of the primitive tribals don’t even know about cattle-rearing.

Singh has also gone back on the promise of providing monthly unemployment allowance to the educated youth. As of now, only youth belonging to BPL families are covered for the Rs 500 allowance. So is decision on loan waiver scheme for the farmers. The government has now decided to waive off only Rs 2,500.

Singh has not been able to take a decision on setting up a commission of inquiry into all acts of omission and commission against Jogi. Singh hasn’t even got the CM’s bungalow vacated by Jogi. The only action he has taken against Jogi is ordering a CBI probe.

The government has also decided to replace Jogi pictures on school bags with those of Swami Vivekananda.