Agartala, September 23: Allegations have surfaced over the lack of seating arrangements for journalists at Tuesday’s inauguration of the Howrah Riverfront project, with questions being raised over the role of the contractor and decorators involved in the event.
The project, estimated at Rs 117 crore, was inaugurated on Tuesday in the presence of Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha. According to the allegations, journalists attending the programme were not provided with adequate seating facilities, prompting criticism over the arrangements made for the event.
The allegations specifically target a contractor associated with the project, who has been described by the accusers as having Left-leaning political affiliations. It has also been alleged that the decoration work for the inauguration was entrusted to three decorators considered close to the contractor’s political associates.
The accusers have alleged that the arrangements were deliberately made in a manner that could create dissatisfaction among journalists towards the Chief Minister and widen the distance between the government and the media.
They further alleged that the contractor, despite being associated with several major works, had failed to ensure even basic seating arrangements for journalists at an event attended by the Chief Minister.
However, the situation changed after Chief Minister Manik Saha reached the stage and noticed that there was no proper arrangement for journalists to sit.
The Chief Minister immediately directed officials to make arrangements for seating the media personnel, according to those present at the programme.
The incident has since raised questions over whether responsibility will be fixed for the lapses in arrangements and whether any action will be taken against those responsible for organising the event.
Questions have also been raised over the alleged political involvement in the contracting and decoration arrangements and whether any attempt was made to create an impression of distance between the Chief Minister and journalists.
The allegations have not been independently established, and it remains to be seen whether the concerned department will examine the arrangements and take any action.
