The second development seminar for the districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kiphire has come out with a compilation of schemes especially with regard to infrastructure development in the core sectors of roads, health and education. Organized by the Government of Nagaland in collaboration with DoNER Government of India, the slew of proposals would look more like visualizing. It is not that one doubts the good intentions of the State government. But simply that past track record of fund use for Nagaland in general and the so called backward areas in particular does not give much confidence to be so optimistic. In fact just going through the development schemes on paper, if at all eastern Nagaland gets all these as stated, then the masses will benefit and this is what development should be all about—inclusive growth. The big plans afoot for the mega projects, especially in education, healthcare, roads, electricity and water supply will hopefully go beyond the paper exercise. For instance in the education sector, proposals are underway for opening of full-fledged Science College, not one but four, at Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire and Longleng. There is also proposal for the establishment of centrally funded College at Noklak/Shamator/Longkhim besides opening of Sainik School at Tuensang and a Technical College at Mon. Similar ambitious plans are in place for other sector of development.
It is clear that there are enough funds available to drive development in the Northeastern States including Nagaland and the backward regions thereof. And it is not that development funds are available only now—they have been flowing in since Statehood. But it is sad that even after more than forty years nothing has changed much in terms of economic progress leave alone the basic development needs such as proper roads, access to health care etc. And if the decades of fund allocations had been used in a judicious manner our small State should have reached a higher level of economic growth that is at par with some of the more developed States in the country. But all of us know that this is not the case. It was therefore not surprising to hear the Joint Secretary, DoNER, Jayashree Mukherjee, saying that notwithstanding huge funds doled out by Delhi, development in districts like Mon, Longleng, Kiphire and Tuensang have not been proportionate to the amount sanctioned by the Centre. This is the truth and all of us should hang our heads in shame.
Those in leadership position whether at the political or administrative level including the past and present leaders from the four districts should also take responsibility for the sorry state of affairs. And just look at the figures as disclosed by the DoNER—in addition to the state’s allocation of Rs 100 crore for these four districts, the Centre has sanctioned several hundred crores under special backward area development programme. There is also a special fund for development of areas on the Indo-Myanmar border. How well the present and future development funds are utilized will remain the determining factor—to ensure real development on the ground as well. We have to learn from the past and make sure that such funds are not merely hijacked by the politicians and their coterie. The public of the region should act as a watchdog making sure that there is transparency and accountability. Otherwise the tall claims of a developed Nagaland will remain a utopia.
