Where Angels Prey by Ramesh S Arunachalam Read Free Book Online Page B

microcredit has been in existence for over two decades. And we have no personal or vested interest in any case.”
    “That is not how they will see it. They will come up with their own line of argument in any case, including how the government is trying to crush free enterprise to further its own obsolete programmes.”
    The CM’s bungalow, a beautiful white building on Raj Bhavan Road, comes into sight and this puts an end to the discussion.
    The guards have already been intimated of their visit and they wave the car through.
    As the two wait in the anteroom to the CM’s office, MR points to the files that Rashid is carrying.
    “I hope you are carrying documentary proof of one or two of these MFI-related suicide cases?”
    “Yes, sir. There is information on as many as seven of them here.”
    MR nods as they wait to be summoned in. He hopes the documentary evidence will convince the CM of the need for urgent action.
    Rashid starts flipping through his papers like a student outside an examination hall. MR can’t help but feel somewhat amused at his junior colleague’s obvious nervousness.
    Just then, the door opens and the CM’s private secretary beckons them to enter.
    Rashid jumps, almost dropping the file in a hurry. MR gives him a calming look before walking into the room.
    The CM and his cabinet colleague, the Rural Development Minister, are already seated. The officials greet them with the customary deference before gratefully taking their seats.
    The CM, a former footballer, is of athletic build. The rural development minister, who belongs to the moneylender community, is prosperously plump.
    “How did things turn so bad all of a sudden? Why was the administration at the ground level not alert to the goings on?” asks the CM.
    “Sir, it is obviously not an overnight phenomenon. The MFIs’ activities have clearly gone unchecked for some time now, thanks to the perception that they are our partners in change.”
    The CM is perceptibly disturbed.
    “I understand that development initiatives need to be able to sustain themselves. But growing at the cost of the very lives that they swore to better?”
    MR is only too aware of the CM’s way with words. That and his oratory skills have won him both hearts and votes in the last thirty years of his political career.
    “True, sir. The situation is quite grim and getting worse as we speak. And of course the Maoist threat is only compounding it.”
    The CM glances at MR at the mention of the Maoists. He knows of his history with them. MR was among the seven officers kidnapped by Maoists while visiting a village in their stronghold territory where a dam was to be constructed. He had successfully negotiated their freedom, with some help from the government, of course, but was since identified as someone who had some influence with them. In fact, writing a book on the incident was on MR’s post-retirement agenda, but that would have to wait for another three years.
    “So what are we going to do about them? And I mean the suicides, of course.”
    MR looks up as the CM shoots the question at him. Nodding his head, he points to Rashid.
    “Sir, Rashid will apprise you of the situation first. He has prepared detailed case studies of the seven suicides triggered by the actions of the MFIs. He is ready with a presentation.”
    Rashid is taken aback. He had thought he would be required to chip in with a few odd statistics here and there. He never expected to have to make a presentation!
    “Sir...that is...the situation is very grim, sir.”
    The CM cuts in rather abruptly.
    “I don’t think we have time for long stories. Keep it quick and short. We need to be looking at corrective actions.”
    Rashid is half relieved that he will not be expected to expound at length.
    “Sir, nine people have died in Warangal and Ranga Reddy districts due to harassment by MFI agents.”
    The Rural Development Minister decides to offer an opinion.
    “These MFIs are like leeches that bleed