Katihar, Jaiprakash Bhagat, 28th January 2025: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Pragati Yatra aims to bring development initiatives to the people and assess the progress of projects undertaken during his tenure. However, the situation observed in Katihar district has raised questions about this initiative’s impact on public life.
Several directives issued by the administration for the Chief Minister’s visit have become a source of inconvenience for the citizens, making it seem as though the city was effectively shut down for a day.
A Day of Shutdown in Katihar
For the Chief Minister’s arrival, the administration imposed a complete ban on the entry of e-rickshaws and tempos in Katihar city from 6 AM to 6 PM. This decision left thousands of drivers without work, affecting their daily earnings.
For many drivers, e-rickshaws and tempos are their sole livelihood, and losing even one day’s income has created financial difficulties.
Reaction from e-rickshaw drivers:
“Our vehicles are on loan. A single day’s loss of income means no food at home, and we cannot pay our EMIs either.”
Additionally, major roads from BMP Ground to Mirchai Bari-Manihari Junction were barricaded, severely restricting public movement.
Impact on Children’s Education
The Chief Minister’s program also affected children’s education. The district administration issued orders to suspend school bus operations between 10 AM and 4 PM.
This decision caused inconvenience for parents and teachers alike.
Concerns raised by parents:
“School gets over by 1 or 2 PM. If buses don’t operate until 4 PM, how will children wait that long? Isn’t this unjust to the students?”
Public Anger Grows
Local citizens, especially senior residents, have expressed frustration over these arrangements.
A senior citizen remarked:
“Nitish Kumar has visited Katihar many times before, but such restrictions and barricading were never seen. This reflects an authoritarian attitude toward the public.”
Allegations of Authoritarianism and Disconnect
Victor Jha from the Rehabilitation Struggle Committee leveled serious allegations against the administration, claiming they issued a notice to prevent him from meeting the Chief Minister.
Victor Jha’s allegations:
“The administration issued a notice on January 25, asked me to appear in court on January 27, and pasted another notice on my door on the evening of January 28. This is clearly a conspiracy.”
He criticized the administration’s actions as a violation of democratic rights and said that if not for his responsibility toward his ailing mother, he would have openly challenged this suppression.
Public Discomfort Under the Guise of a Pragati Yatra
While the Chief Minister’s Pragati Yatra is intended to connect people with new development initiatives, it turned into a source of distress for the residents of Katihar.
Key Issues Identified:
- E-rickshaw and tempo drivers were stripped of their daily income.
- Suspension of school bus services caused difficulties for children and parents.
- Public movement was severely restricted due to excessive barricading.
A local educationist commented:
“Decisions like these increase the gap between the government and the public. If the people themselves face hardships, what is the purpose of development initiatives?”
A Growing Divide Between Citizens and Government
Though the administration enforced these restrictions as part of the “protocol,” local citizens and experts believe that such measures will only widen the gap between the people and the government.
A local resident questioned:
“The Chief Minister was elected by the people. Who gave him the right to starve and trouble the very people who voted for him?”
A shopkeeper shared his frustration:
“This isn’t a protocol but a violation of public rights. The administration should not have imposed such arrangements.”
Economic Impact
The day-long restrictions brought financial hardship to e-rickshaw and tempo drivers:
- Most of them operate vehicles on loans.
- Their daily income supports their families and repays EMIs.
- A single day of lost earnings has directly impacted their financial stability.
A tempo driver said:
“We thought hard work would feed our families and help repay loans. But losing even one day’s income has left us in a dire situation.”
Adverse Effects on Education
The Pragati Yatra also had negative consequences for students:
- Many children faced difficulties in attending school due to the suspension of bus services.
- Those who managed to attend had to wait for hours at school for transportation.
- Parents had to arrange private means for their children’s commute.
Demands from parents:
“Before implementing such restrictions, the administration should consider the impact on children’s education and future.”
Violation of Democratic Rights
The arrangements for the Chief Minister’s visit in Katihar have been widely criticized as an “authoritarian approach.”
- Public movement was restricted.
- Poor drivers were deprived of their livelihood.
- Organizations like the Rehabilitation Struggle Committee were silenced with notices.
These actions are seen as a breach of democratic values and citizens’ rights.
Key Questions That Arise
- Is the Chief Minister’s Pragati Yatra meant to trouble the people?
- Did the administration consider alternative arrangements?
- Were the concerns of children and drivers addressed adequately?
- How justifiable is it to curtail public rights in the name of protocol?
Conclusion
The Chief Minister’s Pragati Yatra aimed to connect people with development initiatives and review his tenure’s progress. However, the disruptions witnessed in Katihar have cast doubt on the tour’s objectives.
The public believes that decisions disrupting their daily lives may alienate them from the government.
The state government and district administration must ensure that such events do not repeat and prioritize the welfare of the people. True progress lies in building trust and maintaining a dialogue between the government and the citizens.
