By Z. Lohe
We all have closely watched the paper duel between ACAUT and NPF on account of corruption charges levelled against NPF Govt. by anti-corruption organisation, ACAUT, which was formed in 2013. The purpose of forming ACAUT is to be a watchdog and to voice against illegal and corrupt activities in the State of Nagaland. Had ACAUT remained silent over those major and minor scams as highlighted by ACAUT on 31.3.17 under NPF led DAN Govt., it would have become irrelevant. And in absence of formidable opposition in the Assembly, had not ACAUT been active, Nagaland would have been mortgaged by people in power. The ACAUT has been cleaning the dirty linen for the sake of common man during the last four years and its contribution to society is immense. For instances, had not the ACAUT exposed the fuel adulteration, by now the business would have been expanded and legalized. Had not the rice scam in Civil Supplies Deptt. been caught red handed and exposed, the PDS would have totally fizzled out. One can go on, but for the sake of sharing space just to mention few.
I was part of the Congress ministries prior to the advent of the DAN Govt. in 2003, and I can never vouch for our ministries to be perfect. Yet, during our time we had respect for the system of governance and we protected the system despite of our imperfections. Whereas, today, the system is destroyed. There is no more system of governance. Rules of Executive Business has practically disappeared. Be it recruitment of manpower, be it promotion of employees, be it allotment of contract or supply work, be it release of payments to contractors and suppliers, no rule seemed to be followed. “Mati norom, tyre khushi, khushi” was once the NLA adage prior to introduction of Anti-Defection Law and it has revisited. The head of a Govt. institute told me recently that some suppliers floated tender for supply of few items to his institute. A firm whose quoted rates on the specified items were found reasonable and was selected. The authority ordered the firm to execute the order within the stipulated time. The supplier then approached the head of the institute and pleaded that he cannot supply those items at the rates quoted by himself. The reason was that ‘these days’ no one supplies the materials despite of the coded formalities. The supplier insisted that paper works be completed and the bill be drawn to be shared between the parties. The head of the institute had to succumb to the pressure. This is how Nagaland is governed. And who cares? Who bothers? No politician cares. No bureaucrat cares. Except the ACAUT, the NTC and few others including countable individuals.
Whereas, the NPF was found virulent in defence of its Govt. particularly in its three successive statements on 28.3.17, 30.3.17 and 1.4.17 respectively. The NPF claimed that appointments are given to deserving Naga youths but ‘not to any outsiders’. Should any prima facie of induction of non-locals into service be produced by anyone in near future, I hope NPF will stand by this statement. What you boast about ‘several warnings’ so given by your leaders in camera are not solution to the problems. Warning is necessarily meant for pre-emptive measure. The post action measures are disciplinary actions. Can warnings be suffice when crimes are committed? Such post action warnings are the humming of winter bee. A Govt. without disciplinary action is dead.
The most unfortunate posture adopted by NPF is to have the temerity to brand the charges of ACAUT as ‘grandiose’. Can the magnitude of the corruption which has been endemic during the last 14 years in Nagaland be a mere grandiose? Quoting the 30.3.17 statement of NPF that ‘The NPF is pro poor party, and therefore, it shall not do anything detrimental to public benefit’. Fantastic! What NPF talks must carry credibility. Better not talk something which you never walk the talk. In NPF’s parlance, non release of salaries to its employees for months together is called pro poor. Using water cannon against teachers who urged the Govt. to pay them their salary through peaceful agitation was a remarkable pro poor action. Ignoring to pay 10% matching share in RD Deptt. and due to which DRDA staff cannot get salary for 9 months is an appreciable pro poor scheme. Siphoning hundreds of crores of rupees meant for developments is called pro poor. Abandoning roads throughout the State of Nagaland is very pro poor. The endless pro poor policies and activities are being highlighted almost everyday by CAG. Had it not been for space one can go on.
The NPF rightly claims that it is the oldest regional party in the NE. Therefore, I expect its statements and reactions to opinions expressed by others on the performances of the Govt. to contain wisdom, maturity, rationality and realism. The NPF’s reaction to ACAUT is nothing less than bullying as though ACAUT can be frightened. Quoting the 1st April statement ‘that NPF does not defend or condone any kind of corruption in the system...’ If the party really means by this policy, what ACAUT has exposed should be appreciated, introspect and corrective measures taken. On the contrary, the actions of ACAUT are considered a nuisance and therefore branded ACUT as ‘un-mandated organisation’ to the extent of calling the members as ‘few busy bodies’. ‘...the deep rooted corruption in the society is all pervading and required concerted efforts of everyone to eradicate it’ is what is the ground reality. The ACAUT did not ask DAN to perform ‘miracle’. If NPF led DAN becomes sincere in its effort to mitigate the dimension of corruption as a beginning for reformation, I am sure the ACAUT and the rest of the right thinking bodies and individuals are ready to cooperate. Please do not do double talk, but admit when required. No amount of artificial arguments can overshadow the magnitude of exposures made by ACAUT and CAG.
