Revelations that the State Social Welfare Department has been supplying not just sub-standard food but food laced with an additive that has the potential to cause harm is alarming. Food distributed by the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is intended to meet the nutritional needs of children coming from the poorest of poor families. That a Department aimed at providing care and succour to underprivileged children could stoop so low as to commercialise the entire system and short-change the citizens is a gross malfeasance. Unfortunately, despite the repeated exposures by NGOs and the media, the same Department remains nonchalant. No one is punished. People doing business with the Department continue to thrive and build their bank balances, knowing fully well that they will never be caught or punished. But this has got to stop. Those who are responsible for the crime should be hauled over the coals so that others do not repeat such criminal acts in future.
In Meghalaya there is certain disdain for whistle-blowers and an attempt to show them in a bad light. Exposes remain just that. They are seen as a one-day wonder and those involved believe that public memory is short and everything will soon be forgotten. It is this inability of the system to punish wrongdoers that encourages fly by night operators. Many have come and gone. At one time the Health Department was in the grip of a medicine and equipment supplying Mafiosi. They have made their money and are now pariahs but they continue to stalk the Department to find if there is a window of opportunity to re-enter and do their dirty business. Thankfully the Health Department is now largely streamlined and the mafia is out. Those who lay the blame for large scale corruption at the door of the outsider-exploiter are hugely mistaken. The tribal Mafiosi is worse because if fears no one. They believe they can pay off everyone and shut their mouths. They might have succeeded to a point. But even when they are exposed, the law seems to take a lenient view of their crimes. This is the reason why a functioning and strong Lokayukta which spares no one, is the need of the hour here. The public should come together and press for this Act which should be made operational, the earlier the better. Since men are not born equal, governments are expected to ensure that there is equity at least in the distribution of goods and services. But if even this is missing then why have a government at all? No wonder parallel governments run by armed gunmen become the alternatives.
