Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• Maybe, the govt has adopted some phase-wise measures but we need further elaboration. I doubt if our govt began its austerity measures in full-swing because it's bound to be time- consuming process but which, if done in totality, will have unforseen positive impact within a short span of time.
• If the government thinks that only accepting a bouquet of flowers as a gift during functions and introducing some other superficial guidelines are indication of austerity, than I guess the Nagaland government is genuinely implementing its austerity measures. In this regard they are doing perfect. But I would also like to question the government: should not the purchase of imported and other high end cars also be included in this austerity measures. If top-notch politicians are given one crore from the public exchequer to purchase cars, than their austerity measure is pointless.
• The best option is to serve people using their subtle shoes and living their kind of lives but never like kings or drug lords on the run.
• Yes, by clearing the files for procuring the latest high-end SUVs for our humble, down to earth netas and naga-babus.
• Positive changes are taking place and more are yet to come.
• Partly.
• I have noticed that their security detail has been lessened. Our new Governor will be teaching them lots of lessons on Austerity. This is just 'one step' taken that i noticed and shared for i believe it will help in reducing expenditures. And if you feel reducing them (every vip security detail) will not benefit govts austerity drive, you are wrong, very wrong. Roughly 30 Ministers and Parliamentary secretaries together reduce 30 maruti gypsies with 180 policemen for their movements. How much will that come to in a month in terms of Petrol/spares/repairs for machines and food for armed personnel?
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• So far 'no'. It is still early to judge the present govt. given the fact that we have many new elected members who are capable of bringing a change and who need time. But the basic system of governance of the present govt. seem unchanged from that of the previous tenures. The govt. still seems unsure about its own policies. We surely have visible infrastructural developments but the economic condition of our people has not taken off for a marked improvement. Austerity measures are still not being implemented properly or sufficiently. Also the policies which are already in place do not seem to be working adequately.
• No, when elected representatives are spending lakhs of rupees to buy imported cars using public money. How can they claim to be implementing austerity?
• No. What? Are all nagas gone crazy? The Govt. of n/land is the same old as in 1920s....steal n eat.
• No, out of 100% 60% unemployed 20% involve in nonsense activities only 20% are employed.
• Hell no! Just look around we don't need further explanation.
• Nagaland Govt. will never stoop low to act like it is fed by the Mighty Indians at New Delhi.
• The best austerity measure would be to remove the present Prohibition Act. Make liquor legal and levy significant amount of tax on it. NO use persisting with a redundant law that is not working anyway while the state is reeling under heavy economic pressure, when in fact we can extract huge amount of revenue by lifting the prohibition.
• In public functions the politicians and bureaucrats seem very humble and remind the organizers that they should not be given any lavish gifts. But these people often come in convoys of expensive vehicles. I wish they would come in modest vehicles because their expensive vehicles defeat their austerity measures. How long will they keep lying to the people.
• All these cosmetic measures will not yield any concrete and long term result, also the argument saying" atleast they are trying" is totally obnoxious. The State of our economy, politics and mortally( not in religious sense) is in DEEP and SHITTY morass. What difference does it make when they cut down few security personal....while they buy private SUV's that cost public exchequer 100 more than they paying these NAP security personal. ............
• The real austerity measure can be appreciated and trusted when the politicians and government officers start changing their life styles and begin leading a lifestyle which is reflective of their income. No matter what policies they introduce, unless their lifestyle shows some changes, the public will not trust their words.
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• The government should and can do a much better job in implementing austerity measures. Everyone in Nagaland knows that the government is in a major liability, and so they should take some strong measures. The list of austerity measures they listed such as convoy, travel, bodyguards, gifts, etc are not major measures. This shows that they are actually not so serious about austerity.
• In states like Nagaland it makes no difference whether there is austerity measures or not because the way the government behaves with the people, it clearly shows they do not respect the people at all. The government thinks it owns the people.
• Austerity is not about having few security men around. it about cutting down heavily on financial expenditures like buying latest n the most expensive SUVs/MUvS, travelling etc..etc.
• Austerity measures related to security still under proccess i guess. Announced but not yet implemented.(high-light me)Its the discretion of the state to amend it if necessary. Believe this concept taken from Indian Custom Act 1962. If implemented perhaps would observe a difference.But as we are aware laws are not binding in the context of Nagaland.
• Stop having too many extravagant department parties... I have attended functions of other state governments and no one is as lavish as we are... I guess it is our inherent hospitable nature... but I do believe cutting down on unnecessary travel with an unnecessary entourage is of utmost importance as well. Invest rather in our infra and use modern technology to visit or chat. At least after the initial big investments, this will be there for a long period and will benefit more people, versus a few visiting places and not knowing how to even come back and conduct a workshop on what they learned. Have efficient design in their offices and quality products instead of some to be dumped materials which they have to replace after a few months at times. Of course that means if they did a good job less contract and supplies to their kit, kin and chamchas who hardly venture into public space and rub shoulders with the common man on the street but is rather content behind their high walls with their ill gotten luxuries!
• Recently I attended a seminar in Silchar University and the chief guest who is the Chairman, Khadi Village Industries Commission, Northeast came in a Maruti Alto with his bodyguard. I was so so impressed and equally sad comparing his status with our Babus here.
• It may sound too clichéd or idealistic but what the taxpayer money pumping in at regular intervals from Dehli is no way a govt money as the govt is only a mere custodian of it but it is an open secret about how the corrupt and greedy custodians are doing with the public money is much worse than a daylight robbery taking place while the zombie naga public stand silently by and watch the happenings unfolding with inertia on a regular basis. I see this govt-initiated austerity measure as a babe step in the right direction, otherwise, I see no reason to realistically expect overnight changes in our naga way of life.
