Malda Training Diary - Administrative Training Institute

Page 97 of 97
We finally visited Automobile Repair shop opened by unemployed engineers cooperative.
Unfortunately, their loan is help up because the Secy is too busy with a contract in Bhaluka to
call a meeting and pass a resolution for this. DIO is prepared to advance them Rs.1500 from
cooperative bank and be reimbursed by the govt. loan when it arrives. They are so badly off
that they lack the Rs.30 to get their signboard which has been lying ready in a shop! And yet
they insisted on feeding us sweets, four a head!!! After much pleading it was reduced to 2. I
went to the paint shop and arranged for the signboard to be taken today and paid for later.
They were quite amenable. Speaks well of the boys that they never thought of taking it on
credit. The shop is very well placed opposite a petrol pump on NH 34 at Mangalbari, a little
after the Mahananda bridge.
DM has gone to attend CM’s meeting in Cal. Both Senco and the ice factory have come up in
1969 under the present DIO. We also visited a lens grinding affair he has helped by loans and
found it held up for lack of space. The JLRO is to be moved to expedite giving the khas land
just behind the shop so that machine’s tables can be set up.
Went to SOPD office and dug out the file on N.Bengal Pharmaceutical Works which is lying
here instead of going to govt for getting the Rs.1 lakh loan. I found the reason is that the LAO
is to give his report on the proposed land but has merely forwarded Kanungo’s report. Took it
to Collectorate and found Spl. LAO there. He insisted that under G.O.s he was not to give
any report. Kar requested him to write, “I agree to KGO’s report” but even for this he wants a
formal reference to be made to him. And he began his perpetual cribbing about not getting
the most experienced staff for his office tho’ proportionately speaking he has better quality
staff than any other office. His objection is that he has to train them up and should get people
who have had experience in LA work. He threatened to write to DM that he would be unable
to continue the proposed LA schemes otherwise. LAO finally did the needful at end of May.
News came from Manikchak that Chowkidars of an anchal are on hunger strike because
Pradhan has not paid them their salary of Rs.97 for months. Hence SOPD and I went there.
Pradhan was reported away, so we talked to the Secy of the anchal and with EOP arranged
for disbursement of pay and if necessary sack the pradhan. The D-Day is 25 th morning when
Pradhan returns.
Manikchak BDO expressed resentment over DM’s behaviour on Sunday at a meeting he had
with all BDOs. It seems Sushil Ghosh of Kharba-I was putting forward that TR dealers were
facing great difficulty in lifting stocks from town, so why not make the delivery orders on
Samsi godown of FCI? At this the DM is supposed to have said, “Don’t talk like a street
urchin; you bloody well have to do it.” Whereupon all BDOs have decided to keep quiet
totally about their difficulties. Comparisons are being drawn with MR De who never spoke
thus and who even in 1969 and 1971floods never lost his temper as Mr Midha seems to have
done ever “so slight a matter” they say.
I also find that I am not aware of these meetings.During Mr De’s time I hardly ever missed
such a meeting. It is a result of my going very very rarely to DM’s office, because he does
not seem to take me into confidence or encourage me or take personal interest as Mr De used
to do. Mr De’s house was almost like a home to me. Mr.Midha is somewhat cold and aloof I
find.
Began studies for departmental exams.
23.5.1972
Work done
Toured with DIO 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 21 km.
Information
First we went, along with Handloom Development Officer, to Sahapur to a weavers colony of
100 looms, both pit looms and more mechanised Chittaranjan looms. Thread from Kaliachak.
Excellent dying. Saris 10 cubits of 40 counts. During pujas up to 60or 80 counts, selling at