Patna, (Bihar Times): Former President Kalam, who was invited to deliver the key-note lecture in three-day Bihar Science Congress on May 7 would no
more be coming to attend it as the state government
had withdrawn from the meet. The Congress is being
organized by Bihar Brains organization.
Finance Commissioner, Alok Vardhan Chaturvedi, who on
Tuesday last was given the additional charge of
science and technology flew to Delhi to convey the
former President about the reasons behind the state
government’s decision not to associate with the
Congress. A couple of days back Kalam had confirmed
his participation in the meet, which is to be attended
by about 300 scientists from prestigious institutes of
the world.
Reports say that the officials attribute growing heat
and examination season as the factors responsible for
the governemtn’s withdrawal from the Congress, but the
truth is something different. The government is, in
fact, angry over the manner in which the former
President was invited without following the protocol
and necessary procedures.
It was because of this that Ajay Kumar , the
then Science and Technology secretary was shifted from
the department. Nitish Kumar was also not happy with
the frequent invitation to man like Kalam’s stature as
his visit requires security arrangements. It is Kumar,
who asked Chaturvedi to personally go to Delhi and
apprise Kalam of the matter.
Officials said that the government would organize the
Congress afresh if it felt the need to do so. A letter
has been issued to all those concerned with the meet.
The organiser of the conference Bibhuti Bikramaditya informed Bihar Times on phone that the fuction would go as per the announced schedule at S K Memorial Hall. Dr. S. E. Hasnain, the Vice Chancellor, Hyderabad University would be the Chief guest of the function. A host of scholars who would present their paper include Animesh Jha from univ. of Leeds, Ashish Kumar from univ. of Oxford, UK, Ajay Jha from USA and many teachers and scientists from different universities of the country.
However, the decision to withdraw from the Bihar Science Congress at the eleventh hour exposed the anarchy in the state government machinery after the April 13 cabinet reshuffle. How can the government remain unaware of the Congress and invitation to the former President?
