By Carmelita Marbaniang
The editorial titled ‘Of foreign jaunts’ (ST Nov 4, 2013) has raised several important issues to which I would like to add my own. The inappropriate frequent (foreign) travel by political leaders of Meghalaya indeed needs to be critiqued. After all public money is being used for every such travel.
Our Chief Minister (CM), Dr. Mukul Sangma traveled to Germany, Slovakia, New Delhi (recently for the North-east Festival) and is scheduled to inaugurate even the North-east section of the Goa film fest on 20th November. On the other hand, for more than two months, on account of bandhs and road blockades, the movement of the people of Meghalaya has been restricted to in and around their homes. In addition, we live in constant fear for our lives and livelihood. This stark contrast in the condition of citizens of the same state implies (among other things) blatant insensitivity and impertinence on the part of our head of state.
Giving our representatives the benefit of doubt, I am willing to believe that these frequent travels are in the long-term interest of Meghalaya. But ground realities suggest that the ‘babus seemed to have imbibed nothing of worth’. The following are only a few examples to illustrate this: (i) The Committee (I refuse to refer to it as ‘High Level’) on influx headed by B.M. Lanong was constituted, functioned and submitted its vague report during the leadership of our CM (ii) In lieu of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), the sole measure proposed by the government till date is the Meghalaya Regulation of Landlords and Verification of Tenants Bill. A direct fallout of enactment will be that in the absence of multiple, developed urban centres in Meghalaya, the indigenous people migrating from rural areas will be at the mercy of rich property holders in Shillong (and New Shillong!) (iii) Eye-wash policy of distributing free tablets to all class XII students while thousands of poor, deserving students (especially from rural areas) struggle to find means for higher education. Similarly, teachers have to fight tooth and nail for their rightful demands. (iv) The government proposes to raise a Special Task Force to tackle growing insurgency. At the same time it seems determined to continue functioning with a monolithic attitude while addressing differences in opinion.
Our legislators need to wake up to the fact that as mandated individuals they hold the greatest responsibility to alleviate the present state of fear in Meghalaya. A precondition for this is in-command and not in-absentia governance. I appreciate and support the tough stand taken by the CM against perpetual diktats of the pressure groups/NGOs. However, the CM holds a PUBLIC office in which attributes of parallel thinking, resourcefulness, diplomacy, persuasiveness and magnanimity are sine qua non for problem solving. A few days ago, the Khasi Students Union showed signs of thawing by claiming to be in favour of a modified ILP. One of its long-standing demands is scrapping of the Indo-Nepal Treaty of Friendship, a demand which if entertained will have fewer ramifications than the ILP and will also contain influx. Can’t compromise deals be persuaded? Can’t talks with the NGOs in the presence of sound mediators like members of the District Council or a Central Government observer be initiated? Can’t something be done? Or will the common man have to cower till the next elections? In such a situation, we the people who have reposed our faith in our elected representatives, we the people who still believe in civilized resolution of differences, we the people who share a dream for a developed Meghalaya will be – the laughing stock. And yes our CM will mostly be – Meghalaya’s empty poster boy.