Tenders, Land Compensation, Extortion and NFHRCC

With the agonized cry of the people being finally heard and channelized through the formation of the NFHRCC, and the construction of the Foothill finally underway with the support and cooperation of the State Government and the PWD R&B Department, we the common citizens were hopeful that better days were ahead for the Nagas. That we could finally agree on common issues and actually work together in the interest of the people. But alas, with the present imbroglio between the PWD (R&B) and NFHRCC, the matter appears to be heading the way of the factions. Each party claiming to be working in the best interest of the foothill highway, but threatening to bring the project to a standstill, and in the process, even creating further divisions within the Naga community. What can be more frustrating than the present turn of events? We were expectantly awaiting freedom from the pain and indignity of traveling through Assam every time, but now that appears to be the least concern of the authorities. Does those in power, know how many innocent traveling Nagas, had been severally beaten by elements in Assam within this stretch of the highway, which we are now trying to bypass? Many has even being killed or maimed for life.
Even during the last Lok Sabha elections, have we forgotten how Nagas were humiliated as Assam Police has occupied the school building and did not allow voting in Ladigarh (Longleng district)? Such humiliation just because Nagas did not have their own road to reach their own village, but had to go through Assam! OR does the pain, suffering and humiliation of Nagas of the northern districts mean nothing to those in power in the State capital?
Therefore, the objective should be to complete the foothill highway at the earliest, of the best quality at the most economical cost. Egos and red-tape procedures should not stand in the way. As mentioned by NFHRCC, the project is an extra-ordinary project, birthed through historically, politically and socially extra-­ ordinary circumstances, and should therefore be understood from such a larger perspective and executed accordingly. Now, coming to the cause of the present imbroglio, I feel that NFHRCC should be more diplomatic and use less harsher language. Its threat to Minister (R&B) to “force his resignation” is also premature and uncalled for. NFHRCC itself has called for not politicizing the project. Such threats shall not address the issue, but shall only politicize the issue, further complicating the project. NFHRCC should stop threatening the Department at every drop of the hat.
We know that money has been drawn for uncountable road contract works, but the works were actually never executed or superficially done at best. We also know that many road construction works are held up due to land compensation issues and unabated taxes (extortion). The 2-lane highways too had the highest quality of Tenders by MoRTH, and even more than Rs 1,000 crores has been released to the contractor Maytas. But where does the status of the highway stand at present?
Development of critical infrastructure such as Airport at Dimapur, Rail station at Dimapur, 4-­lane Dimapur-Kohima highway, are all stuck because of land compensation issues. Many more projects are abandoned because of rampant taxation. Knowing these ground realities, the NFHRCC stepped in promising to bring the project to reality by addressing these land compensation and taxation issue which the State Government and the PWD (R&B) had proved itself unable to handle.
With just Rs 40 crores, 70 percent of earth cutting is claimed to be completed by the NFHRCC. This is a tremendous achievement within such a short period of time. They have proved themselves more capable than the National level tendering process selected firm of Maytas for the 2-­lane highways under MoRTH. Under normal circumstances, even if Rs 100 crores or more had been released, the same quantity of work would not have been achieved without the kind of involvement of NFHRCC. The Government is talking so much about PPP (Public-­Private-­Partnership). Is not the involvement of the 10 tribes through NFHRCC a kind of PPP? This has saved at least Rs 60 crores for the State Government as of today.
The State Government and the PWD (R&B) should therefore climb down a little bit from its high pedestal of “Open Tenders and procedures”. The people know how many “open tenders and proper procedures” road work contracts have gone up in smoke. The people know for how may road projects money has been drawn as per procedure, but without actually doing any work.
Yes, we all know that award of works without open tenders is improper. The Foothill highway should therefore not create a precedent for such practices. But as mentioned earlier, since it is an extra-­ordinary project, the contract works can be awarded as per the earlier understanding of the NFHRCC and the State Government to an NFHRCC recommended qualified and competent contractor as per PWD Schedule of Rates, as a one time special dispensation. If this is not agreeable to the Department (R&B), it should give its assurance that it shall execute the works without land compensation and no taxation/commission shall be imposed upon the contractors by any faction, including the Department. The time table for completion should also be expressedly stated to the public. If the Department can officially make this assurance to the people, let the NFHRCC step back and let the Department take over completely. But if the Department fails within a stipulated time as per specifications, some drastic steps should be taken by the people for fooling it.
Maybe, it would be more advisable for the Department not to dig itself into a hole of tenders and procedures. We neither want the Minister (R&B) to resign, nor a lesson on tendering process. We just want the foothill highway.

Dated: 28th June 2014
M.T.Aier.
Mokokchung.