New Delhi, November 6 (Agencies): Nagaland’s Leader of Opposition, I Imkong has said that the grant of autonomy and recognition of diversity in federalism gives rise to innovations to make the systems work better. Addressing the ongoing International Conference on Federalism today at New Delhi, Imkong said that although the 16 Point Agreement of 1960 was not the final answer to the Naga political problem, it had helped the Nagas evolve an identity and a unique direction for governance based on their tribal customs and traditions.
Elaborating upon the State of Nagaland which is the only State in India born out of a formal written agreement, Imkong said that there is a “practical manifestation” of the process of federalism in the State which has given rise to various institutions leading to the growth of federalism through the vast scope provided in the Constitution of India. The Naga leader said that the special Constitutional provision in the form of Article 371 A gave vast scope to the people of Nagaland to develop according to their own genius and to safeguard their various social, customary and traditional practices.
“The institutions being evolved are being recognized as deserving replication in other parts of the world,” Imkong told the delegates and added that some of the unique institutions that have evolved are the Village Councils, the Village Development Boards (VDBs) and the latest concept of Communitisation which he termed as “classic examples.” Stating that the creation of the Village Councils was based on the age old tradition and customary practices of the people, Imkong explained as to how this institution has evolved to become a strong and viable institution to maintain administration at the village level.
“With very little policing by the State Government, the communities are maintaining law and order in their respective jurisdiction. It is to the credit of the Village Councils as an institution that there are no police outposts in any of the villages of Nagaland,” the Leader of Opposition averred and added that the local communities are able to organise themselves and act much more efficiently for their various requirements including the development process.
Imkong also explained as to how the Village Development Boards emerged basing on the strength of the Village Council. He said that a large chunk of the budget of the State Government is being provided to the villages in the form of Matching Cash Grant (MCG) to the fixed deposit raised by the villages as also ‘Household Allocation’ at fixed rates annually for village based planning and development activities.
Touching upon the concept of communitisation, Imkong stated that under this programme of the Government, various public institutions and services such as primary education, primary health care, power supply and water supply systems are being handed over to the communities for management and maintenance.
He said that it is fitting as an ideal reform and restructuring process in the present context of globalization and liberalization.
“On the one hand, the Government did not absolve their responsibilities to extend services to the people while at the same time, the people were made responsible and accountable for quality delivery of such services to the people including the delivery systems,” Imkong said.
Taking the case of Nagaland, Imkong said that such examples are relevant to other federal and democratic countries who are confronted with similar problems as the issues of indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities are prevalent throughout the world.
“A serious look at Federalism from the angle as experimented in Nagaland could perhaps provide answers to many similar situations around the world,” he added.
It may be mentioned that the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh addressed the inaugural session of the Conference yesterday. Around 1000 delegates including President of Comoros Ahmed MA Sambi, Nigerian Vice President Goodluck Jonatha, President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Ray besides heads of states, experts and activists are participating in the three day conference.
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