Bihar bureaucrat gets flak for calling journalists brokers

Patna, March 31 : An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Bihar cadre has stirred up a controversy by alleging that some journalists in the state act as brokers.

In her first press conference after becoming the district magistrate of Siwan, Bandana Preyashi Saturday said: "Patrakar dalal hain (journalists are brokers). I can say this with my own experience in Barh (a sub-division of Patna district)."

The 31-year-old took over as the district magistrate two days ago following the transfer of 67 IAS officers by the state government.

Preyashi, who was posted as sub divisional offer at Barh a year ago, said: "In Barh, journalists are brokers. They become happy after getting a contract for some public work. If they are denied a contract, they publish rubbish reports against the administration. I don't know whether this is happening here or not."

Soon after the IAS officer's remarks, the Bihar Working Journalists Union demanded a public apology from her and asked the state government to initiate action against her for defaming journalists.

Shayam Rajak, spokesperson of opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), said Preyashi's remarks against journalists had proved that bureaucrats had been given a free hand to humiliate elected representatives and journalists.

"Under the Nitish Kumar government, bureaucrats are behaving like real power holders," Rajak said.

Congress leader Premchand Mishra demanded that the government transfer her from Siwan.

"How can we expect an IAS officer like her to be the district magistrate? She should be asked to explain her remarks," Mishra said.

Despite repeated attempt by IANS to get her reaction to the controversy, Preyashi was unavailable.

Till recently, Preyashi was the darling of the media in Bihar for her bold, strict and no-nonsense stand on issues.

She was in the news last year when she alleged that Railway Protection Force (RPF) Deputy Inspector General P.J. Rawal had misbehaved with her and her elder sister Sujatha Preyashi on a train.

Earlier in 2007, Preyashi's ire was felt by don-turned-ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) legislator Anant Singh. Known as Chhote Sarkar in the area, the lawmaker from Mokama found all his food grain godowns sealed by the official after the state government ordered all the godowns in the state to be shifted to market committees.

She was also famous because there had not been a single violent incident during the panchayat polls in Barh and Mokama in 2006 when Preyashi was the sub divisional officer.

This statement is hundred percent true and is known to every body who lived in Bihar. The only fault of this lady was that she was honest in her statement.

I agree with her whole-heartedly. Let me suffice it to say that I know the profession very well (having been an insider) and sympathize with her ordeal at the hands of the scribes. However, I must also add at the same time, it takes two to tango.
Bureaucrats like her curry favor with politicians and there are scribes who are willing to make that connection for them- for a price. Oddly enough, it’s a double edged sword. Sometimes it does not work and then you have these pliant bureaucrats crying foul!
A corrupt system like the one that pervades the state apparatus in India (and Bihar is a blatantly glowing example of that rut) needs the grease of “Mafioso media” muscle to complete the bureaucrat-criminal-politician nexus. She can not absolve herself of all blame as much her media cohorts willing to play the corruption game in Bihar; they are two sides of the same coin.
-Binay Kumar
Washington, USA

tobinaykumar@hotmail.com

There are always two sides of any coin. Has anyone paused to think that what the IAS officer has said about her personal experience with some journalists, may have some truth in it ? Instead of wholesale condemnation and demand for apology, why no one is trying to face her allegation and do some investigative journalism to find out the truth? India is a beautiful country inhabited by funny Indians which includes Bihai too. There is freedom of speech and Taslima Nasareen is driven out of the country for exactly doing that. We, the author of Kaamsutra and the builders of Khajuraho, slap PIL on actor Mr. Richard Gere for kissing Ms. Shilpa Shetty- two consenting adults. Journalism in India and Bihar has long way to go before catching up with their western counterparts. That includes genuine investigative journalism, self criticism, introspection and total detachment of all kinds from the story they are writing. To proceed in that direction, as a small step, why not Bihar Times investigate her claim ?

Dr. A. Kumar

Norfolk, England

ajk305@yahoo.co.uk

This is with regards to the article on Bandana Preyashi's statement calling journalists brokers. I am surprised that when there can be bureaucrats or judges with questionable conduct what is this brouhaha about a young officer calling some journalists brokers based on her experience. Rather than trying to flog her we should rather encourage her to speak out and name those journos who tried to influence her administrative decisions. This would do good to our profession.

I think whatever Ms. Preyashi has experienced in Barh in general are nothing but reality. I am a Bihari and have set up some business. I have had similar kind of experiences where some of the reporters/ journalists tried to harass me and even they were involved with kidnappers and extortionists. If there is any truth commission, I can name a few.

Most of the journalists are honest and unbiased. Me and even Ms Preyashi are revealing our experiences. Especially the reporters at block or district level are mostly brokers for PS and Blocks, bcos they are just picked up by medias to sensationalize the local news.

I think its not justified on part of Bihar journalist association to demand an apology from anyone. If they want they can find enough proof to support Ms. Preyashi’s statement. My observation is that still majority of journalists and reporters are very honest and unbiased in Bihar.

Omer Hejazeen

omer@oryxfilms.com

Though I have high respect for all journalist whether print media, electronic media or any other way. As you all are well aware, the Constitution of India gives fundamental rights to its citizen for "Freedom of Speech" and everyone has the right to express their personal view on any matter.

As an IAS officer, there is no question, Ms. Vandana appeared to be a qualified, trusworthy to her assignment, knowledgeable and honest officer. She is of Bihar origin and as a Bihari, we expect high return from her, in order to focus on various developmental schemes or "Yojna" statement government under wise leadership of Nitish Kumar were initiated and widely reported by various media.

By way of example, one Patna based journalist, Mr. Soroor Ahmed who earlier worked as Special Correspondent, Times of India have confirmed in writing that during Laloo Prasad Yadav's tenure when Fodder Scam was being investigated by CBI, Times of India used to publish several news against Laloo Prasad at the behest of CBI. Can you believe??? I have still in my inbox Mr. Soroor Ahmed's email, in which he stated that he was suprised to learn that Times of India, Patna Branch was severely managed by CBI. This means sometimes, print media and high profile and respected newspaper like Times of India acted as a "Broker" of CBI because what they published at that time was as per CBI and "NOT AS PER THE REAL FACT". Hence, Ms. Vandana's statement should not be taken as "offence" or she does not require to tender an "apology" to anyone. What she expressed her personal feeling as an "Sub-Divisonal Officer" of Barh and now currently as DM Siwan.

I request you all Bihar based journalist to be very cautious in your writing and statement while telecasting your news or publishing on Internet and also I request Ms. Vandana through Bihar Times.com that you please concentrate on various developmental works already announced and undertaken by Nitishjee, as we all have to change and transform Bihar into a "DEVELOPED STATE" and please Ms. Vandana do not relay any statement which personally hurt to a particular person of society or Journalist or anyone. You should concentrate on better governance and make sure that announced government schemes and developmental works should reach to commonmen and women and all developmental works should be physically visible.