By Wanshan B Khardewsaw
It is indeed astounding to realize how we have all along been living in a Fishy State, ruled by our Fishy Politicians and we have all become Fishy people, and that has to be shown and revealed by none less than the Fishy Project, that too at Polo ground to be witnessed by thousands of ignorant farmers and guileless beneficiaries. I wonder how many of those farmers will get lost in red-tapism and bureaucratic hassles as they, pray, beg and keep on beseeching for their so called promised schemes, financial help, assistance or whatever they may call, under this fishy project.
By now we are acquainted with the policies and functions of this government and the attitude and behaviour of all our representatives and what their agenda is. The high falutin way of announcement or call it cheap publicity by the government or even cheap and daring stunt for the party as someone says, which was more of a vaudeville for most of the farmers who attended the programme should speak a lot of their actual intention. Can anyone ever expect a small state like Meghalaya to spend 1200 crores only on fish farming, when the state budget itself is finding it difficult to justifiably incorporate even the basic requirements and infrastructure which is found to be lacking in the state, and that too when scientifically, the weather condition in the state is not conducive to pisci-culture. In saying so, however, the writer begs to apologise from the experts on the field if he is wrong, but I believe we all deserve to know what kind or species of fish are most viable or best fit to be cultured in the state, or more particularly in the different regions of the state. And has the government done enough research before introducing the over-stupefied project. After all, we need specialisation in this globally competitive market, and must therefore employ or engage our very limited space and resources to only the best, and the one that fits us best.
On a lighter and positive note, however, if the programme become successful, I believe the state will soon be pulsating with fish ponds and their whirl waves and enchanting smell of the sea shores, the kind of smell and atmosphere which is hitherto found only in Andhra (maybe). A time will eventually come, and it will not be far off when we will see our farmers come hawking up to our doorsteps to sell their fish, and many of us would be exporting fish to Bangladesh!
The question that we should all ask, and deserve an answer is, “Can the project really make a dent on poverty and unemployment? Why don’t we pay the required attention to social infrastructure? While introducing the project or plan have we ever considered the increasing disparities in income amongst the various districts of the state; Or have we considered the plight of the people of West Khasi Hills and certain parts of East Khasi Hills who will in no way benefit from this project as the weather condition in those area does not even permit fisheries and their culture? Have we ever realised that if at all the disparate situation continue to persist and even increase at the present pace, and with added fuel from the state government, what will be the after-effects? Or does the government ever consider the plight of the people of these areas before taking any decision? Are we content with this manner of discrimination against the people of these regions, especially of West Khasi Hills? Is this another decision of the government, which was taken without proper consideration? Or is it also another discrimination, which in its many forms, can widely suppress the achievements of the minority group with no fully offsetting gains to the majority group. Does Bah Rowell even care? For what motive or desired ends is this division policy? Or do we even realise that it will not only reflect the quality of governance but also our level of tolerance and ignorance? Do our people in the government need to be reminded that a crestfallen atmosphere is now prevailing particularly in West Khasi Hills District, which was the bi-product of the derisive decisions of this government which has not less than ridiculed and made the people of this particular district feel like second class citizens?
The government should have realised that a broad philosophy of promoting a competitive environment must be pursued, and that if the growth momentum is to be achieved, some areas need focused attention. But, if the focus area is a fish pond, and that too with Rs 1200 crores to be spent only in this financial year, when the state budget is only Rs 3535 crores thereby implying that the amount projected to be spent for this particular mission is almost 34% of the proposed budget. It is also to be noted that only Rs 747 crore and 54.12 crore respectively, was allotted in the budget for Education and Health. I doubt that we are doing the right future infrastructural investment. We need better and wiser future infrastructural investment, to meet the expected large demands to be created by economic growth, rising population, accelerated urbanisation as well as the need to make up for whatever negative externalities that might come as bi-products of all these implementation processes and procedures.
The financial requirements of infrastructure as a whole would indeed be massive. For this massive magnitude of investment to materialise, a definite, transparent and concrete policy framework should be put in place, and without doubt we need accountable, credible and competent personnel to lead the show, even as they should be answerable to the public, and to be liable for any open and unexpected quiz and enquiry, by any investigating agency. Also that their assets and their close relatives’ assets should be clearly revealed and stated in public, both at the time of taking over and handing over of any project.
Now while the Assembly session is going on, and the election campaign fever is gaining momentum, I would like to remind each and everyone that all of us citizens of this great state will again be considered as nothing more than voters, for which the magic towards that is by first patronizing us as beneficiaries. So, I would request all concerned and right thinking citizens to play their roles in whatever way they can, to be and bring the change, as we have seen enough of this, where, every Assembly session reminds and reveals the bleak reality of how our policy makers and so called leaders are (or act) like horses in a paddock who would only bob their heads, and are unable to do (or even reason) anything.
Having said all this, we would however note that we are an optimistic nation, and we still hope and look forward to our policy makers, thinkers and technicians to judiciously deliver to blend the available technical inputs and expertise with our rich resources, through all their official policies to reach the target and dream of this government, which is as well the dream of every citizen: For a better nutrition, sustainable livelihoods, and a prosperous Meghalaya. Taking the state all the way from dependence to self sufficiency.
(The author is Research Scholar & Faculty, Department of Economics, Sankardev College & Academic Counsellor, Indira Gandhi National Open University. He can be reached at wanshankhardewsaw @gmail.com)