Moa Jamir
In the past week, apart from the ‘omnipresent’ Naga political issue, some issues have created certain traction in Nagaland. At the risk of repetition, these included a ‘minor’ reshuffle in the State’s political executive, the banning of single-use plastics yet ‘again’; a gag order on doctors and fuel adulteration allegations.
All issues were ‘newsworthy,’ but also reflect a state of affairs whereby there is, if not already, the risk of ‘history repeating itself as a farce,’ to appropriate Marx.
Take the case of the “ban on single-use plastics” announced yet again by the State Government on April 25. The risk of repetition is inherent given the fact that a similar ‘ban’ was already imposed in June 2019, though without much success, either due to lack of implementation as well as non-adherence.
If one looks back at the Gazette notification issued by the State Government on June 17, 2019, the ‘total ban on single-use plastics’ seems to be quite comprehensive on ‘paper.’ However, the implementation so far, at best, has been limited.
In the latest ‘ban’ order, the State Government, on its part, took refuge by declaring that it is partially modifying its previous notification dated November 29, 2018, and June 17, 2019, as well as in pursuance of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2021 notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India on August 12, 2021. But the reality is different.
Again, the constant shifting of political affiliation and configuration has also been a recurring feature of the political landscape in Nagaland. Accordingly, the latest development is seen as a repetition of such a political power game.
Ditto for the gag orders on doctors and fuel adulteration allegations. The State already witnessed similar scenarios before. As a result, the ‘gag order’ to government doctors was received with a sort of déjà vu, as a similar order was issued on April 15, 2020, stating that only concerned the Administrative Heads of Department (AHoD) or Head of Department are authorised to speak to media.
While the issuance of such orders restricting the free-flow of information to media itself raises a bigger question, it would also be helpful to ascertain whether the other provisions cited “Nagaland Government Servant (Conduct) Rules, 1968” invoked by the April 25 order are being followed.
For instance, as per the ‘Compendium of Office Memorandum’ available on the Nagaland’s Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) website, the Rules 13 (I) of Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968 ‘requires’ every Government Servants to submit ‘on the first appointment and thereafter every year’ return of their assets and liabilities “as on first January”. There is another rule for reporting to the prescribed authority every transaction concerning movable property owned or held by a Government servant or family members 'if the value of such property a exceeds Rs 1000” for Class-I or II posts or Rs 500 for others. An OM issued on April 21, 1977, reminded then that the rules are not complied with by ‘any or by most' Government servants so far.
While the provisions themselves need updating, it is anyone’s guess whether these rules are being followed. Incidentally, the OM on “broadcasting or publishing or any communication to the press or public utterance” as well as the complete rules are missing on the DPAR’s website. The issues of adulteration, OM on appointment to government services, and liquor prohibition, among others, are regularly flouted.
As such, the repetitive issuance of policies, memos and other provisions are indicative of three concerning affairs.
Firstly, it implies that the State Government makes rules and regulations without actually implementing the same on the ground.
Consequently, it morphs into a system where there is a blatant disregard for basic rule of law by all stakeholders – the citizens as well as the government.
Finally, the state of affairs is entangled in a ‘vicious circle,’ whereby any repetitive policy measures, face the danger of repetition and becoming a ‘farce’ at implementation.
For newsworthy issues, drop a line or two to jamir.moa@gmail.com
