Moa Jamir
Lofty promises but little action in Nagaland
The citizens of Nagaland by now are accustomed to lofty pledges and visions. Nevertheless, it was indeed a big surprise when the first Cabinet meeting of the then newly-installed Neiphiu Rio-led People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA), came out with some bold promises, each attached with an ambitious deadline, on March 8, 2018.
On the same day, Neiphiu Rio took oath as the 20th Chief Minister of Nagaland in full public view, a first in the history of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, at the Khuochiezie, Kohima local ground, from where the announcement of Nagaland's Statehood on December 1, 1963, was made by the then President of India, S Radhakrishnan.
“We have chosen to conduct this important function at this historic place in honour of the people we serve and to also remind ourselves publicly of the responsibilities that lie upon our shoulders,” Rio then stated, starting his fourth innings as the State’s top political executive. The election’s mandate was not “just for change of government but a vote to bring positive change in Nagaland,” he added.
Accordingly, marking a highly ambitious first day in the office, the aforesaid Cabinet meeting announced a slew of decisions to be implemented in the first 100 days of the Government, including a 60-day deadline.
In terms of ‘Good Governance/Transparency,’ it declared that “Government Departments and Institutions will be required to have its websites, internet portals and social media accounts that provide all information related to their respective Departments within 100 days.”
Regular appraisals and assessments of the Departments, including Ministers, were pledged while adding that ‘targets for 100 days, six months and one year will be made public.’
“All Ministers and elected Members will be required to declare their assets and the assets of their spouses and dependents within 100 days,” stated another.
For Sports & Youth Affairs, the pledges included a new ‘Nagaland State Sports Policy’ with 100 days, as well as renaming of Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima to T Ao Stadium.
On roads, it had a more motivated target of repairing and renovating the roads and filling of “potholes in the State capital, the commercial hub, Dimapur and the district headquarters within 60 days” as well as “comprehensive master plan for maintenance of all major roads where citizens can monitor and give feedback on the progress of works and quality control using information technology and web-based mapping software within 100 days.”
Other decisions included the establishment of a Nagaland Investment & Development Authority, a new insurance scheme for students studying outside Nagaland, ‘anti-VIP culture,’ and a Civil Aviation Policy. More were added as the Government of the Day presented its first budget including a ‘Centre for Peace and Non-Violence.’
While some promises were executed immediately, purportedly to show its seriousness, including a direction on March 8, 2018 that no government official or dignitary shall use designation plates on their vehicles to end VIP culture. The nomenclature of ‘Chief Guest’ was also discarded. However, other promises have mostly missed the deadline.
‘100 days of question marks’ The Morung Express observed, when the first deadline expired with most pledges unattained. On the first year and second anniversary, the newspaper’s headlines respectively read: “Has the Change Come?” and “2 years of PDA: A Patchy report card,” highlighting some progress, but little action on most pledges.
When the 4th anniversary came, many changes have occurred in terms of political configuration, including a new Alliance as well as many new districts, but most of the 100-days promises remained unfulfilled or outside the public domains.
Drawing from the experience of the citizens as well as the availability of information in the public domain regarding implementation of the promises made on the first day, there is nothing much to write home about. As it steps into the final year, the Government of Day must go back to the drawing board and check whether it is the time for a course correction.
For any comment, drop a line to jamir.moa@gmail.com
