Dr N Janbemo Humtsoe
Wokha
Ever wondered why there are so many organisations in Nagaland? We know that these unions and associations are nothing inherent to the Nagas, as there were no tribal Hohos or pan-Naga unions in the days of our ancestors. We are able to form an association, asks questions, criticise the government, undertake peaceful agitations, participate in politics and much more; because the modern law permits it. However, there are some unions in the Naga society who, oblivious to the fact that they are able to form a union only because the constitution permits so, attempts to flex their muscle and impose their will on the society on the ground of tradition and customary practices, whenever they come across a policy that is not to their liking.
Sixty years into the statehood, but the state is slowly losing its grip, wings and power, while the civil organisations are becoming more powerful and arrogant, often dictating what the mandated government should or should not do. It is good for democracy that we have robust ecosystem that promotes free exchange of ideas and opinions, and the interventions from the civil societies with good intentions are always welcome. But at times, we also came across situations where the civil societies try to abuse their rights and privileges, makes unreasonable demands and become an impediment towards progress. Worst, when these organisation acts with malice and vested interest. Many at times, we are made to wonder who is in charge, the state or the civil organisations?
Government properties are vanishing due to encroachment from private individuals. Many government quarters are being occupied by private landowners. The roads in our towns are becoming narrower because of ‘my land, my wish’ attitudes. The outcome is a congested space, an inconvenience of many sorts and a wastage of time and money being stranded in the traffic. Water was a common good in the olden days; any citizen could drink from any well or spring. What has become of us? Almost every water source in the urban and surrounding areas have become private property. Even springs and rivers are not allowed to flow freely but are commoditized and marketed to benefit the individual. If such practices are not anti-customary, what is? But the question is, how many civil organisations has championed such cause that could benefit the masses? Are we united only at pointing fingers?
Urban local bodies are an important institution that enjoys political, fiscal and administrative autonomy within the limits set by laws of the county, to promote development and provide economic necessities of the region. This is perhaps the first step for self-governance. The absence of such bodies in our state perfectly aligns with the mess and lack of basic facilities in our towns and cities. For instance, it is very difficult to locate a clean and hygiene public toilets in our towns. Only few percentages of our population have access to potable tap water. Many of our marketplaces, eateries, slaughter houses etc runs in unhealthy conditions. The recent order from the National Green Tribunal directing the state government and Dimapur Municipal Council to adopt certain urgent measures with regard to urban waste management is an eye opener for all and reinforces the need to treat our waste scientifically as envisaged in the waste management rules.
So much needs to be done to enforce methods of best practices, to provide clean and hygiene environment in our marketplaces, to enforce stringent regulation of price and quality; and the need for provision of basic amenities and sanitation. But both government and citizens alike are blind to our shortcomings and excesses, corruptions, lack of quality monitoring mechanisms and enforcement of appropriate rules. We have the Nagaland Building Byelaws (2012), but that is rarely implemented. People construct house and building without any regard to public roads, pedestrian pathways or parking spaces. Obviously, our towns and cities aren’t shrinking anytime soon but are expanding at an accelerating rate. There will be more people and cars that would necessitate bigger roads, marketplace, health care facilities, schools, community playgrounds, parks, eateries and many other essential amenities.
In this era of artificial intelligence, Nagas needs to think on the way forward and not remain shackled to some narrow and conservative mindset of the past. We also need to examine how article 371(A) does not remain as a stumbling block towards development and progress of our state. Eventually, times are changing and we need new perspectives, ideas and responsibilities to create a future that is good and liveable for all of us. Few years ago, Kohima city was adjudged as the second most unliveable city in India and was ranked 110 out of 111 cities on the Ease of Living Index released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. If our state capital can be that bad, we can only imagine the living conditions in the rest of our towns and cities.
The question is who will develop our towns and cities? For long we have lived in the imagination that development is the responsibility of the government alone. That must change. Citizens and civil organisations need to assume greater responsibilities beyond the role of a watchdog and participate more in the affairs of governance and development of our land. We also need to be mindful of our civic duties and responsibilities including our duties to pay reasonable taxes to the government for our development. The outlook that Naga people are not supposed to pay tax may also have to change. Nations that have reached an advanced stage of development have not come to this level through external funding but through their own money and resources. It won’t be, therefore, wrong to imagine that we can also develop our economy with our own resources.
Few years back, a parking tax of rupees 10 was imposed in a certain location in Dimapur but there was a huge uproar against the decision. If we are reluctant to pay even 10-rupee tax, how are we going to generate the much-needed resources to finance our development programmes. Apart from the central and state government funds, our civic bodies should be able to tap internal revenue through reasonable means and use it judiciously for socio-economic development: or else, at this rate of development it will take centuries for citizens of our state to have access to basic amenities of life. After all, the success of the society cannot be measured by the wealth and possessions of the few, but by creating conditions that lead to better opportunities, health and well-being for all individuals and communities. Towards that end, we do need a forward-thinking citizens; a strong pressure groups with a progressive mindset; and a firm, diligent and performing government.
