Kedi Haralu
Press Secy to Lok Sabha MP
The last Assembly election was somewhat of a paradox as well as prayers answered for most citizens for when one party tends to rule without opposition bench then it becomes dictatorial and as a result democracy suffers. One cannot say that the Congress government was an anti-Naga party nor can we say that the DAN government is a party accepted by all Nagas, but the trend in which our society deteriorated within its political as well as bureaucratic fabric during the last five year term run by the Congress was something which needed immediate change.
Favoritism and communalism plus tribalism became a major dimension and it was obviously a one man rule. But giving all credit to Jamir where it is due, he managed to keep his ministers on the leash regardless of whatever methods he may have used, plus the question of downsizing did not arise then. That fear factor of a school headmaster was ever present amongst his ministers and his chit or consent was final, which is a vast difference to this present government where many a times certain senior ministers as well as bureaucrats do not give two hoots about the “C.M’s chit”.
Although national workers deny any hand in the elections, we all know both factions had their own candidates, but ultimately when we think practically, just a handful of armed cadres with guns cannot change the mindset of the people not the people’s mandate.
Therefore the DAN government coming to power was something most Nagas were looking forward to, as the need for change had come. It is most surprising though that the BJP which is usually considered a ‘Hindu’ party made such inroads right in the heart of Christian dominated Nagaland. Also what surprises me most is the way the BJP lost the last Lok Sabha elections. Was it because of the way their nucleus, the RSS and the VHP mistreated the Christians? More interestingly, that defeat came right after the crusades held by Benny Hinn.
As for the past two and half years of DAN rule, their have been major achievements but sadly there has been failures as well. The latter require quick rectification before the next Assembly elections.
For one, the Chief Minister must be congratulated for being able to tackle his ministers during the downsizing where it was like “which fingers should you chop off and which fingers can I keep”. Most of the ministers were first-timers and there were 16 tribes to appease. A tough task no doubt for any politician to overcome. Although there were dissidents amongst those axed, the government has been able to maintain its stability. More importantly, it has successfully countered the coup attempted by some politicians who had faced the guillotine.
Another achievement of the DAN government is its success in the urban sector, especially with the up gradation of the town committees to that of Municipal Councils. This has not only enhanced the cleanliness drive as well as sanitation, but also it has checked most of the sprouting syndicates, starting from the vegetable to the meat markets to public transportation. The department of Urban Development and Planning too has contributed much to the drainage system, which was one of the main factors for flooding and unhygienic conditions in the major towns especially Dimapur. The Home department has done much in managing to curb the drug trade as well as anti-social elements. Little known departments like Excise, Home Guards as well as the City Patrol under various Police Stations have become more active and diligent to go along with new their found discipline.
The tourism sector too has managed to sell Nagaland in the International market. This holds true particularly with regard to identifying tourist spots and not to forget the attractive packaging of Nagas colorful festivals especially the Hornbill mega event which has taken a quantum leap. No more is Nagaland portrayed as the barbaric, cannibalistic, guerilla infested region, but it has become “a place to visit” in the International Tourist calendar. There has been a major improvement in the jails and prisons as well as in hospitals and government runs clinics, which has improved a hundred fold. And with the success of Communitization, the villagers are now willing to send their children to Government schools instead of opting for private schools, which had become more like money making institutions a few years back.
Although some departments have been left out there has been major improvements and one thing the public needs to realize is that the offices are now manned with people and not with furniture (attendance has improved but there is still a need of officers and Ministers to be there for the public since they are there to serve the people and not vice versa). One comment most people give is the difficulty to enter some Ministers gate due to the ego problems of the body guards. They should be made to realize that their “Barra Babu” is putting up residence only because those not being allowed to enter had made it possible for the Minister to become a Minister, plus many travel a long way just to get an interview.
Every Government does have its failures for to err is human. But some significant failures which need to be addressed are the Food and Civil Supply departments as well as the PWD. The food grains allotted to Nagas for their consumption miraculously ends up with non local Crorepatis like Tinku, Pinku and Sinku. The public know very well who are responsible. If one starts to vent out frustrations, a lot of head will roll. There are a million and one grievance with a certain officer who tends to act more like the Minister of the said department. A note of caution though is that one needs to be more careful and accommodating. For politicians will remain the same breed regardless of which party comes to power, but officers are always in the hands of politicians.
In Conclusion when we do our mathematics correctly, the present DAN Government has had its share of failures, but it is also encouraging to see that all in all, much has been achieved in just a matter of two and half years, and there is time for more development and rectification, and to do justice to those that have been left out in the past two and half years. One stand of the DAN government (which has certainly earned the respect of the people) is their bold stand on the issue of integration of Naga inhabited areas. Despite criticism of the neighboring states as well as the Centre, Rio and co have bravely stood their ground.
The integration factor has successfully nullified the massive damage done by the infamous “Bedrock” booklet. The name itself is self explanatory-a Bed made of rocks!
