It is a matter of serious concern to note the high level of corruption especially in road projects. There is no doubt that corruption is to be blamed for poor quality of roads and the need for urgent correction is the need of the hour. It is not only in Nagaland but corruption in road construction projects has spread like cancer to every corner of India. The recent news report “Corrupt system hijacks development funds” carried in this newspaper highlights the concern over fund misuse and more so at a time when the Centre has pledged to dramatically step up its spending on roads in rural areas. The Prime Minister in a recent conference on rural development had in fact announced that Rs 4,800 crore would now be spent on a four-year project ending in 2009 to connect 66,000 villages. This will be music to the ears of those who have over the years mastered the art of indulging in kickbacks and high end commissions.
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 State governments likewise will have to step up intensive verification of all ongoing projects taken up under NEC, NLCPR, PMGSY, PM’s Package etc. The earlier decision to constitute inspection groups appears to have been an eye wash and whether such verification drives can be conducted in a transparent manner covering all the eleven districts of Nagaland and with the support of the local media. 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.
