Even as the anti-corruption crusade led by social activist Anna Hazare makes its impact across India with a new found urgency to tackle corruption at all levels, reports about a few Chief Minister’s—Gujarat, Bihar and Kerala to be precise—taking bold steps to improve governance and promote transparency is indeed like a breath of fresh air. In fact a US Congressional report has hailed Gujarat as the best example of effective governance and impressive development in India. The report prepared by Congressional Research Service also praised Gujarat CM Narendra Modi saying the state under him has become a key driver of national economic growth. According to the US report, Gujarat is followed by Bihar. Its Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also been praised for his effective governance and administrative skills. The report hails Nitish Kumar for the restoration of law and order in the state as well as for improvement in infrastructure and education besides his success in emphasizing good governance over caste-based politics. Other CMs must also follow suit and be inspired to do the same. Interestingly, both Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar are Hindus from the Hindi belt area. To those Chief Minister’s who profess to be Christians there is even more reason to reflect on their conscience.
We have already mentioned the Kerala CM as belonging to the current league of inspiring role model CMs. A devout Christian who leads a spartan life, Oommen Chandy is the longest serving Congress legislator from Kerala. Chandy has been a legislator from Puthupally since 1970, never losing an assembly election since then. The Kerala CM has been at the forefront of promoting transparency and good governance. He has taken several bold measures to achieve this and this column felt that this must be shared with the Naga public and our politicians. Recently, the Kerala CM’s office went live on the internet. Anyone sitting anywhere can log onto the website www.keralacm.gov.in and see what is happening inside the Chief Minister’s chamber. Four cameras have been placed inside his office and chamber. According to the CM himself, this is being done to ensure that everything is transparent. This novel exercise will be extended to other minister's office also. All his meetings, press conferences and cabinet briefing would be available live on this site. In fact our politicians often talk about doing the right thing but they should also be seen as doing the right thing.
It is obvious that politicians here in Nagaland specially the Chief Minister and his colleagues should also adopt the latest available technology for better governance. Besides, the above steps being taken, the Kerala CM has his own separate website. And since transparency is the hallmark of this Christian CM the website has disclosure of personal assets of the CM himself, Ministers, Government officials etc. Another novel feature of this website is the inclusion of a separate ‘Citizen Journalism’ section where any complaint, public grievances etc. can be brought before the attention of the Chief Minister through this online platform. Even the footage recorded in your phone, the URL of the blog in which your social commentary is written etc can be sent through the option given. It is a shame that not many of us have heard of Oommen Chandy. But like the Gujarat and Bihar CMs his is also an inspiring story worthy of emulation.
We have already mentioned the Kerala CM as belonging to the current league of inspiring role model CMs. A devout Christian who leads a spartan life, Oommen Chandy is the longest serving Congress legislator from Kerala. Chandy has been a legislator from Puthupally since 1970, never losing an assembly election since then. The Kerala CM has been at the forefront of promoting transparency and good governance. He has taken several bold measures to achieve this and this column felt that this must be shared with the Naga public and our politicians. Recently, the Kerala CM’s office went live on the internet. Anyone sitting anywhere can log onto the website www.keralacm.gov.in and see what is happening inside the Chief Minister’s chamber. Four cameras have been placed inside his office and chamber. According to the CM himself, this is being done to ensure that everything is transparent. This novel exercise will be extended to other minister's office also. All his meetings, press conferences and cabinet briefing would be available live on this site. In fact our politicians often talk about doing the right thing but they should also be seen as doing the right thing.
It is obvious that politicians here in Nagaland specially the Chief Minister and his colleagues should also adopt the latest available technology for better governance. Besides, the above steps being taken, the Kerala CM has his own separate website. And since transparency is the hallmark of this Christian CM the website has disclosure of personal assets of the CM himself, Ministers, Government officials etc. Another novel feature of this website is the inclusion of a separate ‘Citizen Journalism’ section where any complaint, public grievances etc. can be brought before the attention of the Chief Minister through this online platform. Even the footage recorded in your phone, the URL of the blog in which your social commentary is written etc can be sent through the option given. It is a shame that not many of us have heard of Oommen Chandy. But like the Gujarat and Bihar CMs his is also an inspiring story worthy of emulation.
