In a sharp critique of the ruling dispensation, senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Shivanand Tiwary on Wednesday accused the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government of displaying a profound insensitivity towards the state's impoverished population. The veteran politician highlighted the dual crises of homelessness and hunger, questioning the administration's commitment to its professed ideals.
A Government Accused of Abandoning Its Roots
Launching his attack through a formal press statement, Tiwary pointed out the stark contrast between the government's frequent invocations of iconic leaders and its current policies. The state government often references the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Karpoori Thakur, he noted, yet its actions seem disconnected from their core principle of standing with the marginalised. He argued that amid the "glare of five-star development," the administration's focus has dangerously drifted away from the weakest sections of society.
Bulldozers in Winter and the Struggle for Meals
Tiwary painted a grim picture of the ground reality facing Bihar's poor. He specifically condemned the practice of demolishing houses of poor families using bulldozers during the harsh winter season. Simultaneously, he underscored the acute economic distress where daily wage earners are struggling to arrange even two meals a day. Referring to disturbing reports of hunger-driven extreme steps taken by some individuals, the RJD leader held the government responsible for failing to ensure employment for all.
He directly alleged that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), a critical safety net, has been systematically dismantled by the Central government, exacerbating the livelihood crisis in Bihar.
A Concrete Proposal for Relief: Subsidised Canteens
Moving beyond criticism, Shivanand Tiwary put forward a tangible proposal for immediate relief. He urged the state government to launch a network of highly subsidised canteens. His plan has two key components:
- Subsidised canteens operated by Jeevika self-help groups, serving full meals for just Rs 10 throughout the year.
- The launch of 'Karpoori Canteens' at every district headquarters to provide affordable meals to the poor, named in honour of socialist leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur.
This appeal, directed squarely at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, frames the canteen initiative not just as welfare but as a necessary action to align the government's deeds with the socialist values it publicly champions. The statement from Buxar-based leader adds to the growing political discourse in Bihar around welfare, employment, and the government's accountability towards its most vulnerable citizens.
