By Ibankyntiew Mawrie
With Dr Mukul Sangma set to form a new government soon after the swearing-in ceremony to be held at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday, people of the State hoped to see a government which performs better for a better future while praying for a stable Government.
A young media student, Nangjop Thabah Synthiang expressed his tiredness to see leaders within the Government fighting among themselves to get the Chief Minister’s chair not realizing that it is affecting the development of the State. “Try and last the full term”, was the one thing Synthiang wants this new Government to do.
It may be reminded that Meghalaya has for the past few years earned a bad name as far as politics is concerned and thanks to our leaders who are busy running after the chair rather than fulfilling their promises.
Another senior citizen said “Who says only the Chief Minister can solve everything, it is team work. It does not matter whether you are in the Government or the opposition or the government offices, change and development can be brought about if we work together.”
Like Meghalaya Peoples Human Rights Council Secretary General Dino DG Dympep mentioned, “One of the most serious ethical problems confronting Government is the problem of corruption in public office” adding that the issue of ethics in the Public Service has been gaining increased concern among citizens, the media, politicians and policy-makers.
Expressing their views and opinions on the new Government’s set of plans and actions for better governance, Dympep said “The strengthening of public confidence in government and public institutions constitutes a necessary condition for both effective democratic governance and a healthy economic development in the next five years.”
Meanwhile, another young man (name withheld on request) said that the Government should have a broader perspective towards development and not to limit itself to the five years but to implement something which will benefit the people for generations to come.
“If something goes wrong in the system, the press will tell you which way the cats are going to jump and it’s up to the public to take care of the cats”, he said jokingly.
On the same note, a senior journalist and Editor of the Khasi Daily–U Mawphor, Deimaia Lang Siangshai is of the view that the new government should have a set of new plans and actions for the youth by forming a new policy to eradicate the unemployment problem and by helping the youth not to look only on government job.
“The government should have a policy to guide the youth, encourage them to stand on their own feet”, he said adding that for better governance, the government should strive to bring peace amongst the different outfits in our state through talk because when there is peace we can see development in our state and this government should take serious step to solve the boundary issue.
Another young student, Mewanshwa Kharshiing said that as a state, there is a need to move towards sustainability rather than just survival. “Just Patching up in our old mundane policies will bring same results but different approaches to a lost cause, we have to overhaul the whole machinery or anatomy of how we function and the best way is to look to other success stories like Gujarat”, he added.
“It is interesting to see how Gujarat allocates its public funds, Infrastructure, and the success story of how Amul, a milk company is making its way even in the global markets”, he added.
Meanwhile, president of the Partners of Pla Iew (PP) Socio, Environmental, Sports cum Cultural Club, Nicholas Jonathan Kharnami said “Well good governance, that’s what I stood for…well it’s not about the sinner but the sin itself.”
“Let’s get to the bottom line. How about the electorates being accountable in the real sense of it? I know we have got the RTI, but would the representatives pass a bill making all MLA’s mandatory to file and make public the yearly balance sheet of the MLA schemes bestowed on to them just as the banks do?”, he questioned.
Pin pointing on the numerous scams that the state has witnessed, Kharnami said “Enough of the scams on CGI sheets, blankets, pot holes diggings and fillings drains etc…What about humara paisa humara hisab? (our money our share)”
Majority of the people that this scribe came across stressed on the need for real governance and leaders should act accordingly to make this dream a reality in Meghalaya and to get rid of the instability bug which has done much damages to the state, its people and its leaders.
Like former Taiwanese president, Chen Shui-bian says, “Through mutual understanding, sincerity and goodwill, and with great wisdom and broad views, the leaders on both sides should jointly initiate new opportunities for peace, stability, cooperation and mutual benefit.”