Dr. Asangba Tzüdir
The people of Nagaland go to bed every night with a hope that tomorrow will be better than today. WHEREAS, the ‘TR loyals’ have got their Cabinet berths and Parl. Secretary posts. WHEREAS, the back again Chief Minister has assured “a better tomorrow.” HOWEVER, the general public has been deeply pained by your musical chair drama and that faith will not be easily reposed. HOWEVER, the general public will also find it difficult to believe in the assurance given by the CM that his newly installed government will deliver “a better tomorrow.”
The current state of affairs has reduced the life of the people to such a level of despondency. Ironically, such a condition where normal life is not only paralysed but has also caused deaths and further endangered lives is necessary to trigger the rational and emotional minds and hearts of the people to show resentment as a right and a duty. The current situation has clearly served as a wake-up call that, the ACAUT Nagaland is considering holding a large scale rally based on the current situation and is seeking the opinions and advice of the people. Contextually, such mass-based rally is really needed to show that the public is no longer tolerant and cannot be taken for a foolish ride.
Delving into the state of affairs, there are too many instances that speak volumes about the lack of developmental works or the quality of work done considering the crores of money pumped in. Case in point are the roads and bridges. The collapse of the Chathe river bridge has further highlighted its importance as a lifeline, a realization caused by its absence. The latest as reported in the local dailies is the release of Rs 5 Crores in 2016 for “improvement of road from City tower junction to DC Court junction.” The reality cuts a very sorry figure, not to mention the excuse that “there are no funds.”
Who is to be held responsible for the condition of roads and bridges in Nagaland? Blame it on the rains??? As an exception to the now normal, the German technology applied road from Dhobinala towards Signal has withstood the first monsoon. This can be seen as a huge achievement in the context of the standard of developmental works in Nagaland. Well, if Nagaland wants to see real development of infrastructure, of public works properly done, then the amount of money initially sanctioned should be used to good effect. For too long the public have been made to suffer because of poor development works, or development works being stalled or worse still, the amount sanctioned for developmental works ‘disappearing.’ The main players who are to be held responsible are the contractors and the bureaucrats concerned as much as the Ministers when it comes to public works. Let it be seriously known that, building a better Nagaland comes first and foremost leaving aside personal gains. But as the saying goes, which is not simply for the sake of it, “as you sow, so shall you reap.”
With the level of corruption coming to light, few organizations and individuals have taken the responsibility of filing RTI’s so also taking the matter to court. Such measures are also necessary to curb corruption and also to ensure that the money meant for development does not get reduced to a trickle. Time is such that we cannot depend on the assurance of “a better tomorrow” but it is now for the public to be vigilant and act towards creating a better tomorrow. The responsibility also rests on the public to make the contractors, bureaucrats, so also the Ministers accountable and responsible in delivering better life.
(Dr. Asangba Tzüdir contributes a weekly guest editorial to The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
