It is a matter of serious concern to note the high level of corruption especially in road projects. This comment of the Prime Minister last Wednesday at a conference in the national capital where he categorically blamed corruption for poor quality of rural roads is a serious matter requiring timely correction. Corruption in road construction projects as per his diagnosis has spread like cancer to every corner of our vast country. This concern over fund misuse comes at a time when the Centre has pledged to dramatically step up its spending on roads in rural areas. The Prime Minister told the conference that Rs 4,800 crore would now be spent on a four-year project ending in 2009 to connect 66,000 villages. Rest assured, this will be music to the ears of those who have over the years mastered the art of indulging in blatant corruption.
With such massive flow of money coming into road projects, the question that needs to be addressed is how well funds can be properly managed and also ensuring that the sanctioned roads are built on time. However this will be easier said than done more so because the practice of siphoning off such money is a trade in itself and one where powerful interests are involved. Given that rural roads come under State subject, the respective State governments will have a tough task ahead to deliver on this front. The Nagaland government likewise will have to step up intensive verification of all ongoing projects taken up in the State under NEC, NLCPR, PMGSY, PM’s Package etc. The earlier decision to constitute inspection groups should continue with its verification drive in a transparent manner covering all the eleven districts of Nagaland. Advocacy groups involved in the Right to Information campaign should likewise demand information related to such projects. The absence of a watchdog mechanism to oversee and monitor development activities will only create an enabling environment for corruption to thrive.
It has to be mentioned that for too long, people have suffered because the fruits of development has failed to reach the common man whether of proper roads, housing, electricity or drinking water. The delivery system has not delivered the goods, rather those responsible for taking economic development to the grass roots—politicians, bureaucrats and contractors have gained at the expense of the poor and illiterate by way of siphoning off funds, incomplete projects and poor quality of implementation. All this has allowed a majority of people to remain disconnected from the development process. The delivery system has therefore done the reverse i.e. taking away benefits from people rather than giving them their due. This needs to be corrected.
The Chief Secretary on his part should focus his attention in particular on those departments undertaking major development works such as Rural Development, Agri, Horti, PHE, Works & Housing, Roads & Bridges, Power to name a few and ensure periodical appraisal is done to keep them on track. This will help strengthen the delivery system and ensure the proper utilization of development funds. It is extremely unfortunate that even after more than forty years of Statehood, Nagaland has not come anywhere near the level of development that would have been expected commensurate to the amount of money that has poured into the State coffers from Delhi. This anomaly will have to be corrected if the fruit of economic development has to accrue to all sections of the people in respectable proportion.
