After a long gap, people’s representatives have finally sat down for a much needed weeklong Assembly Session. It is unfortunate that Nagaland must be having one of the least numbers of legislative sittings. Our government has become executive centric, which is not a good thing to happen. All powers must not be vested in the executive. This is detrimental to democracy. The legislature must perform its due role as one of the organ of the government. Along with the judiciary, the three wings of the government must function as checks and balances so that no one organ is able to usurp power absolutely. While the American system of checks and balances may not be applicable in its entirety, nevertheless, the executive (here in this case the Chief Minister and Ministers) should use whatever discretionary power it has with wisdom and foresight. For instance, the American President can make appointments or sign important treaty. However, this is subject to ratification by the Legislature (here the US Congress/Senate). In our case, there are no checks on the executive power of our CM or Ministers and they wield enormous power. They can make appointments, transfer officials, decide on plan outlay, take important policy decisions etc without much ado. Such powers should not be misused. And wherever possible, policy and appropriation matters must be properly deliberated in the Assembly and put to vote. In fact the executive or the government of the day cannot spend even a penny without due approval of Parliament or Legislature. However there is this tendency to try and push money matters without proper discussion. The Opposition must remain alert and ensure that every penny spent is accounted for. This is the responsibility of our elected representatives.
Further with whatever paucity of time, more time should be used in taking up important issues facing the people. While the Opposition Congress often blame the treasury benches of coming to the House not fully prepared, the public also have huge expectation on the Opposition to raise pertinent questions to the government. As such the Opposition must also go prepared and use whatever little time is allocated meaningfully. Unnecessary protest or politicizing every issue can be well avoided. Focus should be on issues. The Opposition Congress will be well advised to raise in Assembly on the crumbling infrastructure—the pitiable state of our bridges, roads, electricity poles etc and how they can endanger public safety. In the first week of June, 2010 the Morung Express did a story on Nagaland’s crumbling public infrastructure. One of the conclusions that can be inferred is how the government has been unable to maintain its own assets such as buildings, bridges, roads etc. all built at huge cost. For instance, the Dikhu Bridge on NH 155, which is a vital link to the eastern corner of Nagaland, was on the verge of collapse as the condition of the bridge had been deteriorating for the past few years and without attention of the concerned department. A similar situation has now developed over the condition of the foot bridge at Plaza junction in the commercial hub of Dimapur. Despite drawing attention of the concerned authorities over the deterioration taking place in some portions of the foot bridge, nothing seems to have been done. This is a clear case of government apathy. Public infrastructure in Nagaland is indeed in shambles. And this is one issue that the Opposition Congress can bring to the notice of the government.
