Dimapur, March 5 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers' Organisation (NVCO) has made a number of appeals to the newly elected government of the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NNDP) and its ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), urging it to continue its earlier cabinet decision of doing away with ‘VIP culture’ in Nagaland, among others.
In a press release received here on Sunday, NVCO president Kezhokhoto Savi urged the new government to complete development projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings, in time with good quality. In order to achieve this, the NVCO urged politicians, advisors, ministers, and others not to deduct any amount by way of percentage/commission or in the name of party funds from developmental project funds. The organisation also requested the new government to avoid unnecessary extraction of money from the state budget/exchequer.
In addition, the NVCO also requested the new government not to appoint non-legislators as advisors in the rank of cabinet and minister of state, not to re-consider the blanket ban of taxes on highways, and not to continue the practice of creation of ex-cadre associated with the Chief Minister's Office by appointing several non-government employees who enjoy monthly salary scale pay equivalent to the rank of commissioner & secretary, secretary, joint secretary, deputy secretary to the Government of Nagaland.
The NVCO acknowledged that the recent 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election was expensive, and candidates spent huge amounts of money to buy votes. In this connection, it urged watch dog organisations, associations, and RTI activists to be on the watch-out and not compromise with corruption. The organisation also urged them to find out how many Personal Secretaries (PS) are required by each minister or advisor, where in some cases, the PS become richer than their respective boss (minister, advisor, or MLA). It also called for strengthening of the Lokayukta in Nagaland and said that ‘corrupt and political party-affiliated candidates’ should not be appointed as members.
The press release also highlighted many incidences of persecution and violence against the Christian community in India, including Nagaland, where ‘churches are continuously being destroyed or burnt, and missionaries, pastors, and church workers are hiding in jungles.’
The NVCO urged Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the BJP leaders who are likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government on March 7 to “have mercy upon the Christian community as one of the minorities” and not allow laws, such as the Freedom of Religion Act or anti-conversion laws, which is within the state prerogative.
Meanwhile, the NVCO's press release appreciated the Dimapur Naga Students' Union (DNSU) for raising concerns over massive fund drives and donations and suggested the student bodies ‘work and earn,’ so they do not solely depend on fund drives and donations from the business community.
It also urged the state government to ban fundraising activities, including the sale of food items, calendars, lottery, and buffet tickets, which are sold at exorbitant rates and lead to price-rise.
