In Nagaland, every other day there seems to be a new public grievance cropping up. For instance in the last one week or so we have had the candidates selected for the Graduate and Primary Teachers Post under the School Education Department forming themselves into pressure groups or unions as a result of the delay in issuing of their appointment orders by the State government despite having being declared successful in the exams conducted. For no blame of theirs, our young people are being compelled to resort to such steps, which is also not only inconvenient but also frustrating for them. By the end of July perhaps we will add another eleven (district wise) such union to the hundreds we already have in existence, seeking justice for their grievances from the government. Similarly, the declaration of the Year of Entrepreneurs by the present government has only contributed towards frustration among the majority of youths. Like the Graduate and Primary Teachers, the so called selected entrepreneurs have also started to mobilize themselves into state level body and the numerous district level units all adding to the mushrooming growth of grievance, anger and frustration. And it is not only the young people but if we look carefully in each of the over fifty departments or so there is likely to be unresolved issues pending some of them for years on end now. It will be interesting to find out the number of court cases pending against the government. This is the state of our government—burdened with the weight of its own folly. How have we come to such a pass? Where have we gone wrong? Who is to be blamed? These are questions that we need to ask ourselves and honestly find out the reasons for our failings. The point is will we change the old order of unfair means, nepotism etc. which dogs our system and in the process ensure a just system of fair play and equal opportunities for every Naga irrespective of class, creed or political colour.
Simply put, we may have to cleanse the entire government system. The head of the bureaucracy i.e. the Chief Secretary and his senior officers should take the initiative to undertake a thorough study of the ills facing our government functioning and recommend ways to ensure order, rule of law besides accountable and democratic governance. We need to put an end to illegality, manipulation and subversion of our government from powerful vested interests. Some measures that needs to be taken up include strengthening the vigilance body-law enforcing agencies and to give them autonomy so that they do not remain under govt control. It will be only fair to say that the bureaucracy in Nagaland must come out of the shadow of its political masters and function in a more independent and professional manner. The other thing that seems to be a problem is compromises made and roll back of many well meaning policy decision taken by the government obviously under pressure from various quarters. Our government should assert its authority and do the needful in enforcing its own notification, order or decision. On many occasion, it seems that the government is unaware of its own order or decisions taken. Clearly, at present, the relationship between citizens and those who govern them is reaching a dangerously low point and this should be a concern for the State government.
