Dr Asangba Tzudir
Concerned about the ongoing government projects in Nagaland, various groups have resolved to keep an eye on the ‘progress’ of the work. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Dhobinalla-Lhomithi-Signal Angami-Thahekhu-Rangapahar road have resolved to seriously monitor the ongoing works for the upgradation of the road to two-lane while cautioning that the funds should not be diverted to any other works. As reported by the Convener of the JAC, the contract amount of the project is Rs. 17,71,89,780.
In Kiphire, the Citizens’ Welfare Society expressed worry at the way the National Highway 202 is being dug up to lay Optical Fibre Cables, the process of which have instead caused damage to the drainage, and have put the onus on the concerned department for any accidents or mishaps.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has decided to pay a periodic visit to the Doyang Bridge Construction Site. As of now the progress of the work seems to be “fully satisfied.” The Committee has appealed to the contractor to maintain the same momentum to ensure completion within the stipulated time.
While there are many other pressing works especially the collapsed bridges, it requires the vigilant eyes of the public to act as pressure groups towards ensuring work completion. There have been too many excuses and therefore the public can make use of the tools to go deep and dig out the truth of the matter. RTI’s can definitely make those at the helm of affairs have sleepless nights. This calls for a collective responsibility. At the end of the day, it is all for the ‘common good’ and also for ensuring ‘quality life’ of the Citizens.
Talking about the need for collective responsibility, this paper had posed an opinion poll question on whether one would support the public monitoring and evaluation of Government projects. The break-up was 79% in favor, while those not in favor came to 15%, and 06% gave other reasons. Those saying ‘YES’ opined the need for public participation with the Government. Trust issue was also highlighted saying that “the government has a high record of failures.” The slow pace of development was also highlighted so also the need for the public to be aware of the funds and projects that comes for development which would ensure transparency and accountability. Some who voted ‘NO’ opined that “the government has sufficient mechanisms to check work executions in hierarchal pattern.” Doubts were also raised about such monitoring committees since “most Nagas are linked to government service in one way or the other,” and rather called for having ‘independent bodies’ to do such evaluations. Those who voted ‘OTHERS’ bluntly put the truth about knowing the roots of wrongs but so far no tangible solution has come about besides ACAUT and other watchdog NGO’s unearthing misappropriation of government resources.
The various responses only portray the sorry state of affairs and how the ‘buck’ is passed across the table. And going by the percentages, there is need for real monitoring and evaluation of government projects to draw a comparison between what appears on paper and the reality as portrayed by the actual status. Thus, what is now required is for strengthening such ‘committees’ and pressure groups and also to function ‘independently’ especially when it comes to ‘truth’ enquiry.
Past ‘stories’ have served as eye openers for the ‘public’ to act as ‘blood-hounds’ though resorting to such means is not desirable. For now, acting as sensible watch-dogs would go a long way towards achieving the desired results. Further, there is need to build trust as well as public-government partnership in order to work together with a sense of collective responsibility.
On the whole, the work of monitoring and evaluation of government projects can be strengthened by sharpening the eyes of the monitoring groups and tying up any ‘loose ends,’ and also for the individuals and groups to resort to the ‘pills’ that will empower them through knowledge and information to carry forward the struggle in the right direction.
(Dr Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
