Plane truths

The state government8217;s two aircraft8212;a five-seater plane and a four-seater twin-engine helicopter8212;have become the bone of cont...

The state government8217;s two aircraft8212;a five-seater plane and a four-seater twin-engine helicopter8212;have become the bone of contention between Chief Minister Raman Singh and Governor Lt Gen retd K M Seth. Since the former often uses the helicopter for his tours in the state, the latter takes the plane for his travels within and outside the state. The trouble arises when the plane goes for repairs. Seth then wants the chopper to fly him to his favourite spots. Last week, he flew to Mumbai and Goa, with his family, to usher in the New Year. There are rumours that Seth now wants the state government to buy a new aircraft.

Sitting pretty

Incidentally, the Governor is a political survivor. Although an appointee of the NDA government, he escaped the UPA Government8217;s drive to replace governors appointed by the previous regime. In fact, he is reported to be eyeing another gubernatorial posting, or an equivalent position, after his present term, which ends in May-June this year. Sahay, known to be close to former CM Ajit Jogi, was in Delhi recently, where he met Union ministers Arjun Singh, Shivraj Patil, Sharad Pawar, Natwar Singh and Pranab Mukherjee. State PCC leaders say they won8217;t be surprised if Seth manages to get a new job for himself or his wife, who runs an NGO.

Tough yoga

When asked recently how he planned to discipline his ministers, CM Raman Singh replied: 8216;8216;The ministers have been asked to attend a yoga camp. I will personally see them there.8217;8217; But when the five-day yoga camp began, besides Singh8212;accompanied by his wife8212;only one other minister, Brij Mohan Aggarwal, turned up. The next day, the CM too stayed away, only turning up for the last day of the camp. Similarly, most of the ministers did not turn up either. 8216;8216;It was difficult to get up everyday at 4 am,8217;8217; admitted Aggarwal.

V-C in a row

At a time when the state government has proposed setting up of three new universities, the inclusion of ruling party leader Ramesh Bais in the selection committee to appoint the next Vice-Chancellor of its existing university is raising many eyebrows. According to reports, the present V-C of Pt Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Professor B P Chandra, is a serious contender for another term, despite the many controversies surrounding him because he is a Bais favourite. Academicians fear Bais8217;s inclusion in the panel will set a bad precedent.

Jatropha in Rashtrapati Bhavan

The Chhattisgarh government8217;s much-hyped, but controversial, campaign to promote the Jatropha plant as a source of bio-fuel has received support from unexpected quarters. Sources say President A P J Abdul Kalam is so impressed with the plant8217;s qualities that he has got Jatropha saplings planted in the backyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The credit goes to the CM, who briefed Kalam on the government8217;s attempts to tap the plant8217;s bio-fuel potential.