In the midst of on-going land scam charges, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yedurappa has misused government funds for his self photo-publicity by giving big advertisements in national dailies highlighting major ‘achievements’ of his government. Interestingly these achievements do not list misuse of specific powers to benefit his family-members by giving them costly land like freebies. Continuing in office despite strict-most strictures through blackmail of BJP high-command is perhaps biggest achievement of BS Yedurappa not highlighted in costly media campaign at government cost.
Glorification and publicity of political rulers and other living personalities through photo-publicity, statues, etc. at public-expense or through public-projects should be altogether banned to prevent misuse of public-resources for image-projection of leaders. Instead of waiting verdict on the long-pending writ at Supreme Court, the Union government should make it a rule for not allowing photo-publicity of living personalities including those in legislature at public expense both at centre and in states.
The Union government should also ban discretionary and/or special quota/power for denotification, etc. for land/flat allotments by Centre or States to anyone including MPs and MLAs.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
Delhi