The Hindu : Khurana discounts reports of `darbar politics'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 07, 2004

Other States

Other States - Rajasthan

Khurana discounts reports of `darbar politics'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 6. The Rajasthan Governor, Madan Lal Khurana, today said that he was not indulging in "`darbar politics'', and his efforts were aimed at redressing the grievances of the people below the poverty line. This weekly initiative, he said, was no way aimed at undermining the authority of the elected Government of the Chief Minister, Vasundra Raje Scindia.

Mr. Khurana said he had taken up the issue with Ms. Scindia and she would be joining his "`grievance centre'' every Monday after the Lok Sabha polls are over. "`I may have quit active politics but I am doing everything within the provisions of the Constitution to resolve the problems of the people of Rajasthan.

The doors of Raj Bhavan are always open to people below the poverty line and even financial help is being extended to the needy,'' he said.

Stating that he was against the concept of "darbar'', Mr. Khurana said that it was associated with the royals and the British Raj and he was looking to provide succour to the poor. In fact, he said his weekly meeting to redress the grievances of the people had alerted field officials, as they fear that the poor would get attention at the hands of Raj Bhavan.

However, he said the Governor's Relief Fund had very little money. It has a sanctioned strength of only Rs. 2 lakhs and when I joined already Rs. 1.75 lakh had been used from it.

Now, it had been decided to raise funds for providing financial aid to needy people and in this regard it had been decided to take the religious and spiritual course. He said a "Katha'' programme of Asa Ram Bapu would be organised in Jaipur very soon for collection of funds. In addition to this, a "`kavi samelan'', "mushaira'' and "bhajan sandhya'' would also be organised to raise money for the cause. Drawing inspiration from the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Jagmohan, the Rajasthan Governor said a decision has been taken to promote "spiritual tourism'' in the State and take up renovation and development of around half a dozen temples.

The Union Tourism Ministry had already sanctioned Rs. 6.5 crores for the development of "ghats'' and other activities at the famous Pushkar destination.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

News Update

Stories in this Section

Khurana discounts reports of `darbar politics'

Call for mine workers' safety

Fast track courts to settle accident cases