The author had assured to deal with the unholy matrimony between the State Political Parties and the NPGs during the elections...as Part III continuation of the headlined subject.
However, having been a sportsman in the distant past, the Summer Olympics 2016 at Rio was a serious distraction to schedules that could not be met...but now we are relieved to proceed as planned.
This author is painfully aware that the issues being focused upon in public domain is not a popular subject because it certainly is not a pleasant sight to look into the mirror and recognise the deformed reflection we see therein.
Nevertheless, the deplorable reflection that we do see of ourselves in the mirror has to be dealt with as best we can with utmost Christian fortitude. It is imperative for all eligible voters in Nagaland, prone to selling their votes and political candidates who are either compelled or tempted to buy votes, to clearly understand the devastating consequences of 'buying', 'selling' of our votes. This is a 'killer' transaction that is taking us down to a bottomless pit of self-destruction. As long as we fail to recognize this deadly cancer with Christian dignity, honesty, integrity and honour in our action, we will be hastening its terminal progression.
Now, let's consider the unholy matrimony between the State's Political Parties and the high flying Naga National Political Leaders of the Factions. The two dominant political parties in Nagaland...NPCC and NPF...have adopted "Equi-Distance" and "Equi-Closeness" policy in their interaction with the NPGs respectively. Each of these stated policies is aimed at maintaining "fair deal" with all the Factions. However, in practice NPCC maintained closer 'distance' with NSCN (K) as compared to the other factions, resulting in NSCN (IM) taking several life-threatening pot-shots at the NPCC Chief Minister who fortunately survived through Divine intervention. By practical definition therefore, "Equi-Distance" policy harvested bullets. In contrast, the Chief Minister from NPF craftily harvested financial conveniences from the party's "Equi-Closeness" policy especially with the most dominant Faction. With the opportunistic merger of the two opposing political entities the present Government has reconciled on "Equi-closeness" policy which obviously opens up more lucrative doors for all concerned. The State Government has effectively become a eunuch in the harem of NPGs because the Factions are getting away with daylight robbery in the name of sovereignty, mercilessly taxing the desperate common man to the bones. Instead of checking the excesses being committed by the NPGs the GoN is not only involved in illegal taxation of their own but has in fact become the main revenue collector for the NPG Factions by deducting 5-6% of the State's development fund and 24% of State government servant's monthly salary. We normally say Nagaland is devoid of any recognizable industry but we do have a thriving invisible industry spawned by the NPGs' imposition of 5-6% deduction from all development funds and 24% government servants' salary deduction at source by the DDOs. Yes, every legitimate Government have a clear legally defined tax regime which is not negotiable and mandatory for the citizens to pay...but Nagaland is the only territory on earth where unregulated 'negotiated tax' exists that fluctuates like hell.
We often hear stories of Mr. A having received tax demand note for (let's say Rs.1,00,000/-) which get negotiated with the Faction concerned and finally settle payment at let's say Rs.5000/-. In practice, this power of demand and negotiation is vested in a simple sepoy of the cadre to the highest ranks of the Factions. The DDOs of the Government of Nagaland belong to the same club. While the deduction at source is exacting, no one asks questions of the Controlling Officer or the DDO how much was actually paid to the NPGs. The salvaged 'savings' between the 'source deduction' and the actual 'negotiated payment' made has become de industry in most departments of the Government to the extent that there are some DDOs who threaten their staffs on behalf of the NPGs, if they refuse to have their salary deducted. This is a factual scenario that had been brought to light from the sworn deposition rendered to the High Power Committee (HPC) set up by the Government in 2015. The HPC has recommended suitable disciplinary action against such identified overzealous DDOs. The HPC has also seriously indicted State Finance Department as the main source of deliberate financial information leakage to the NPGs. All Controlling Officers in the Directorate, summoned by the HPC, had confirmed on oath that the NPGs get precise information about the LoC and in fact bring the copy of the Drawl Authority even before the official copy of LoC from Finance Department is received by the Directorates. Notwithstanding the lack of political will, there seems to be a serious problem of brain drain in bureaucracy as well because the Government is still studying the recommendation of the HPC for the past one year plus and will continue to study it till kingdom come. The question is: Why is such extreme indifference happening in the governing system?
The reality starts with our Political Parties selling their soul to one Faction of the NPG or the other during the election. Astronomical sum exchange hands to obtain their support. Purely for public consumption, the NPGs officially disclaim any involvement in the Indian Election. What they do in the field during the election however, is an entirely different picture. The people have consistently witnessed the style of NPGs campaign in support for one Indian Political Party or the other with their omnipresent threats of dire consequences. Necessarily the Political Party that pays the most gains advantage in most circumstances because of the fear factor. Most NPGs are active participants in the State elections one way or another without doubt. No amount of denial cuts ice. This is hypocrisy at its flagrant best. So, when Government is formed after such collaboration with the Factions, the State Government can only function as a shadow government at best with the main strings being pulled by the dominant Faction lodged somewhere in Biblical fortress. The functioning of the present Government is amply manifested in soft paddling and humouring the factions under the "Equi-closeness" policy. The people are exposed to damning NPG taxation, being threatened and manhandled but the government conveniently looks the other way for obvious stated reason. This is a Government that is more prone to responding only to extreme public ultimatum or on indictment by the courts and goes back to money hunting leisure under normal times.
What salvation do you see in such a scenario? Kaput! Courage is what our voters must collectively master in every village. The primary task at hand is to teach our rural populace the finer details of the ripple effect of vote selling and the permanent cycle of destabilization that it causes to the society. Each village needs to be encouraged to adopt a collective resolve to vote for their village development rather than sell votes and counter the threat of any NPG Faction by forewarning the political party candidates that the village would vote against such candidates who dare to threaten the village through extraneous forces like the NPGs. If this can become a standard collective resolve and response the political party would have to think twice before seeking help from the NPGs. Eliminating the involvement of NPGs in the election would free the voters to exercise their democratic franchise as fairly as they understand it and without selling votes. When candidates win without buying votes they will be duty bound to focus on development and serve the people in real terms. Then perhaps change for the better will become eminent. It is a long shot but against a non-existent alternative it is worth a try. This is a challenging task not only for the NBCC but for all other NGOs and Tribal Hohos and conscientious citizens to join hands towards a collective responsibility and cleanse the system for all our sakes.
Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Rtd), Kohima E-mail: kksema@gmail.com
