Kohima, April 19 (MExN): The Nagaland Government’s April 16 decision to ban ministers and government officials from attending any function as Chief Guest and donating monetary grants has found support from the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO).
The NVCO in a statement voiced out that the cabinet decision will not only help Ministers, MLAs and government officials but will also be beneficial to the common people.
The ban, according to the NVCO, will reduce the extract of public funds and allow the public funds to flow for the very specific project – whether it be MGNREGA, old age pensions, infrastructural developmental, human resources projects etc.
Viewing that the people of the state “fondly used” the ‘Chief Guest’ nomenclature with the expectation of getting money, the consumer organization stated that people are more concerned about how much the chief guest donates and cited various such instances.
Also viewing that the ‘pride’ which tags along with VIP culture “was affecting our state’s economy,” the NVCO exclaimed, “Thank God this culture has come to an end!”
The decision has resulted in a ‘win win’ situation where both the general public and politicians/public servants/rich businessman/contractor/govt. employees are equally benefitted, it further insisted.
As such, the consumer organization urged the general public especially civil societies/public organizations/associations/students’ union not to practice chief guest culture and expect monetary grants or give gifts/presentation except flower/bouquets.
Meanwhile, the NVCO has suggested the State Cabinet to take a decision “not to deduct commission/percentage in the name of party fund / secretary commission / minister commission / MLA commission from public funds especially meant for various infrastructural developmental funds and human resources projects.”
It may be recalled here that the Nagaland Govt. Registered Class-1 Contractors’ Union (NGRC-1 CU) had earlier appealed the Nagaland Chief Minister not to deduct ‘commission’ or percentage from project funds in the name of party fund or minister commission or MLAs commission etc. so as to ensure quality works and timely completion of the various projects.
