The title of this article (borrowed from K.Singh) is self explanatory and will endeavour to portray a few myriad problems faced by the common man in the state of Nagaland. Now, that the retirement/superannuation age has been enhanced from 57 to 60 years, we can feel the pulse for its appreciation, frustration and lukewarm responses. First, it must be appreciated because 60 years is not too old to work. Even after retirement, one can be gainfully employed in various sectors. However, the question is 60 years as per date of birth certificate or a tempered one or actual 60 years old!
At present my mother is nearly 70 years old. One of her male batch-mates started schooling when she got married. He must be 18 years old then. After school and college he entered into government service at the age of 35 years. He would have served for only 22 years had he not changed his date of birth due to exigency that enabled him to serve for a good 43 years and retired as a senior bureaucrat in 2006. Areas in Nagaland where education has been introduced early, the case will portray an entirely different scenario. These days most children start schooling by the age of 4 which is comparable to other states. Records show that entry point for Gazetted Cl-I & Cl-II posts, the average age is 25 and above. They will serve for pretty good 35 years and that seems enough. It is ridiculous to compensate the pay received by a non-gazetted govt. servant to that of a gazetted by allowing them to serve for about 45 to 50 years by encouraging them to use unfair means. Another point that comes to mind is a classic example which is an important and prominent office i.e. NBSE. What sort of policy does the government adopt that makes people to occupy high posts for so many years? It is nearly 20 years that her name and signature is in our HSLC certificates and continue to do so till today.25 years? or is it already more than 30 years now? By singling out this issue, please do not misunderstand me. I have no ill feelings whatsoever or question her integrity. Instead, it should be viewed as an eye opener for all of us to give due credit to her for manning the office excellently. Let us be thankful for making the NBSE one of the most clean and efficient boards in the country. At the same time this is a reiteration that 33 years or say 35 years of length of service is sufficient. Let the younger lot with bright ideas and inexhaustible energy be given a fair chance in the welfare society.
Secondly, with election round the corner, the decision of the state cabinet to enhance superannuation age may be politically correct. At the same time let us consider two issues that will have adverse ramifications. The decision of the Cabinet made a scapegoat of one of the most influential NGOs, the NSF redundant of its obligations. What was the motive of the NSF in the first place? Given the benefit of doubt- Was it for political mileage? Monetary gains? Publicity? Checking corruption? Or have been intimidated? Otherwise, the priority I suppose is to work for the uplift and welfare of the students’ community. How are controversial issues deliberated and resolved in the assembly? Why is that its federating units not averse to its resolutions? Is it by just because of being invited to be the guest of honour of a government sponsored programme that the immediate priority is ignored?
The motive and timing of the govt. decision are wrong with disastrous consequences. There are many inefficient and outmoded govt. servants who are not appointed through open competition and are a liability to an efficient and effective working in the organization. May be in their time, the quality of education was not satisfactory. May be they were offered the job as typist and then given promotional scope as there weren’t many qualified people to occupy the post. Do you know any person who does not know how to draft a letter that is not conventional? This refers to the middle rung officers who demands respect instead of commanding it. It would have been graceful had the govt. waited for a few years and enhance the same in a phased manner. This is because for the year 2007, NPSC had advertised about 50 non technical posts on account of resultant vacancy. Excluding contract and fixed pay assistants in the secretariat minimum post will be advertised for the next 3 years. Anyways, this will be compensated in the year 2011 & 2012 due to retirement of those who are to retire if the status quo of 57 was maintained.
Thirdly, lifting of blanket ban of creation of posts: Notwithstanding the long overdue and genuine cases, let us consider this.9:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. pretty good 7 hours on a working day. As per administrative manual 7 files a day for an assistant, 49 files for the controlling officer and 100 files for head of department (This is just for one assistant and the nature of work also differs) How much are we paid for the work done by us? Does it commensurate? Is there enough work to entail creation of more posts? Come to office by 11:30 a.m.-12:00 noon and leave for home by 2:00-2:30 p.m.3 hours of work!!! Or come to office and don’t work at all. Or better still draw your salary and show your face once in a month.
In advanced economies or countries, the average working hours is 12 to 14 hours per day. They are too busy to hang around. What I am trying to say is that there must be enough work to keep oneself busy in the office. Just by checking the attendance register and issuing orders will not solve the crux of the matter. With the present attitude and work culture, the government encourages the workshop of a lazy mind. Generally speaking, if an entrepreneur works like a government servant, her enterprise is bound to fail. Or those who just sit and wait also serve even though they are not appointed for that purpose? Can the government at the risk of losing power down-size the over-saturated govt. employees?
Fourth, the church must play a more proactive role in moulding the conceptions of its members. As a good shepherd they are expected to protect the flock in the midst of evils and dangers. Why so rigid a stand on prohibition? I think more harm than good is committed as we cannot expect everyone to be teetotalers. Good and evil do exists together in this world and we as preachers, responsible parents, teachers and elders must be able to inculcate values and imbibe principles into the young ones to enable them to know how to refuse the evil and choose the good for freedom of choice is the best discipline. Or are we still to continue to cast away and ignore as if such things do not exist? Come on, let us be liberal.
Fifth, I am a timid man like most people who would hand over their treasures, reputation or dignity when a gun (even a dummy one) is pointed at the forehead. We dare not speak against those who wield guns for we have only one life. We would treasure to see our children grow up and sing lullaby to grand children.
At this point of time, I don’t foresee an immediate solution from the negotiation process with the govt. of India. This is not to belittle the importance of the initiative taken by the conflicting parties or undermine its necessity or question the authority or faith reposed on them. We have great hope and give unflinching support for an early solution to the vexed issue. Let us consider some hard facts and truths. Ten years and still counting by weeks and months. Unification is the need of the hour and the recent moves are a welcoming gesture. Yet, for a skeptical person, it appears to be a bloodless coup (not necessarily be bloody) and therefore, more time is necessary to fully appreciate. I am sure Nagas will be a happier lot once unification is materialized, for we don’t have bargaining power for lack of unity till date.
Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister unleashed a reign of terror into our land. Indira Gandhi who wielded immense power did not accede to our demands. In the same footstep Rajiv Gandhi relinquish the job. Whom can we depend upon- Sonia? Manmohan Singh? Doubtful. Or the Prime Minister in waiting- Rahul Gandhi. 10 fifteen 20 years? Can UN grant us freedom? USA, the only super power can ill afford to challenge India, the elephant for economic reasons. Another dialogue with the Burmese Govt for the sake of Nagas living there? There is a conflict of interest between the dragon and the elephant which can be utilized to the fullest capacity. We have to make the first step and rest assured that God be with us.
Finally, who am I to tell someone what to do and what not, for you know better than me. However, the urge to make our land a better place for posterity and the love of our people, let me share raw ideas on three aspects.
Let the underground along with the rank and file distance themselves from politics. Involvement in elections and executive matters will eventually encourage dictatorship in uniform like Pakistan. The Indian diplomats are experts in dally dallying in matters that are not comfortable to them. What can we do then is the logical question. Let us target their fear. Fear of security concerns. Let every Naga soldier (the commoner as well) learn fluently the languages of Hindi (India), Urdu (Pakistan) or Mandarin (China). This also has the advantage of teaching our children so that one day Nagas as a nation will send 10,000 missionaries to these countries. Let us learn languages of others instead of imposing others to learn our language.
Let the church encourage truthfulness and discourage corruption at the risk of losing tainted money in the form of tithes and donations.
Let the politicians bring in economic sovereignty starting from the ensuing general elections by committing to implement the developmental programmes in letter and spirit. Let them begin by spending at least 75 paise in a rupee that will percolate down to the common man. Let them after election, adopt villages and show to the people what progress really means. I believe in this because when a king disposes justice with vision, the subjects live in peace and prosperity.
This is my vision 2020. (Comments or criticism is most welcome)
Thejasalie Nuh
