Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 28
In contrast to other states in India, Nagaland state receives some of the largest funds from the Central Government for development and “big reports” are highlighted but real work has yet to be seen. A discourse held today, March 27, in Dimapur with participation from various non-governmental organizations, discussed various challenges that are in the way of implementation of urban development programmes in Nagaland.
To mitigate some of these challenges, the wide consensus during the discourse was that a legislative action – a strong policy in the form of legislators and legislation – should be instated to ensure accountability in development.
General Secretary of the Kerala unit of the Self-Employed Women’s Association Nalini Nayak said that a project submitted by the public on being approved, the government has to release funds immediately. She referred to reports given by Nagaland State Government on the urban development program JNNURM. JNNURM funds have been spent “gloriously” but in real there is no evidence of any development taking place, the NGO activist said. “Compared to Kerala, Nagaland gets the highest fund,” she said.
Nayak said that the 74th Amendment Act gives power to the public to decide what kind of development they want. And under this very act 40 % of the state’s fund is decentralised to the ‘panchayats’ and 10 % for women development. Also social audit has to be conducted after every project or programme is implemented, for which the report has to be made available to the public. The social worker opined: “...the economy is not in the hands of Nagas but outsiders”.
Also, President of Naga Council of Dimapur Savi Liegise cited an instance that a project was submitted to the government earlier associated with traffic infrastructure but no action has been taken although it is now three years running since the project was submitted. Concerning government’s initiation in city restructuring, the Naga Council president said the Government of India is encouraging citywide restructuring to ensure that cities are managed efficiently to attract private finance. The private finance would enable preparation of long-term plans for infrastructure investments and poverty alleviation programmes.
However, he lamented, Dimapur is an unplanned city and there is no urban infrastructure for which the city cannot withstand growing population pressures. “Despite the fact that this is the only and richest township is the State, Dimapur is stricken with chronic anaemia that needs urgent attention and suitable remedy,” Liegise said. He said Dimapur suffers from all the ailments: Water supply, sanitation, power supply, sewerage, solid waste management, storm water drains, urban roads, urban transport, street lighting, traffic support infrastructure and urban law and order.
The public leader explained: “... What is urgently required is a community of leaders motivated and driven by honesty and commitment from a welfare government manned by honest politicians, honest bureaucrats, honest technocrats, honest civic leaders, honest social workers, honest business community and an honest public. Policy reforms and brilliant schemes alone will have little or no impact in healing the urban woes and its suffering denizens. With honesty and commitment, whatever paltry resources created or made available through schemes or financial grants, if dispensed judiciously, there is promise for an urban facelift awaiting Dimapur as never before,” the Naga Council president asserted.
Responding to the Naga Council leader’s contentions, Advisor to Dimapur Municipal Council Vikholie Neinu said that DMC is trying its best to improve sanitation in Dimapur and Rs 9 to 10 lakhs have been spent monthly on sanitation. Justifying that DMC was at the brink of shutting down at a point of time.
“DMC is still setting the office in order.” ‘Change Dimapur’ is not easy but if works are executed honestly then Dimapur will see the change, he explained.
Professor at Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary Dr Gabriele Dietrich said people’s participation will challenge the nature of how government programmes are implemented. The discourse was organised by Nagaland Development Outreach in collaboration with North East Network and North East Integrated Programme.
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