By Ankur Das
After weeks of intense speculation, the Modi Cabinet finally takes shape. Throwing up a gamut of familiar names while also springing up a few surprises, the lean and mean new cabinet is in line with the Prime Minister’s oft quoted maxim of “minimum government, maximum governance”, hopefully a promising start to a government riding of peoples’ aspirations like no other.
The appointment of former Army chief Gen. (retd.) V. K. Singh as the Minister of State (independent charge), Ministry of DoNER is a reflection of the pragmatic and professional outlook of the new Prime Minister.
From what our past observations show, only the first DoNER minister, Arun Shourie of the previous NDA government was genuinely interested, or at least, appeared to be interested in the development of the region and the working of his ministry at the ground level. His visits to each of the seven states to gain firsthand knowledge of the progress of various schemes sanctioned by the ministry are well known. Subsequent ministers have preferred to work from Delhi and have done abysmally little to further the cause of the region. Work done, if any, has mostly been in the state the minister is from. In that light, the appointment of the “outsider” Singh should be a welcome break from the past, something that the region could look forward to.
The realms of security and development, more so, infrastructure development, go hand in hand in the North East. The new minister will be able to use his vast experience in the fields of defence and security to expedite the construction of high altitude all-weather roads in Arunachal Pradesh to counter the looming threat of the Dragon. Also, it is no secret that world class roads to border towns like Tawang will boost touist inflow, leading to creation of scores of jobs for youth of the area, thus effectively fulfilling one of BJP’s key poll promises too. Similarly, development of airfields in strategically important locations, which, more often than not, also happen to be the most beautiful places in the country will serve the dual purpose of boosting tourism based economy as well as the strategic preparedness of these forward areas.
Having served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army’s Eastern Command, Singh will definitely appreciate the role development plays in tackling insurgency in the militancy ravaged states of the North East. This holds true both in terms of the ability to quickly and effectively mobilize troops in case of an armed exigency as well as in the more important aspect of enhancing the image of the State as a development focused and considerate entity, thus playing a very important role in weaning the youth away from the scourge of the gun, As mentioned earlier, the investment and tourism related avenues that such development will bring shall play a big role in containing militancy in these troubled parts in the long run.
Quite understandably, there are voices of concern among the intelligentsia about the implications of having a retired General at the helm of a ministry concerning an area plagued by excesses by the military. Atrocities committed by the men in uniform under the garb of ‘security duties’, using the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act as a shield, make this sense of paranoia quite understandable. However, Singh’s appointment may well turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the region. In his new avatar of policymaker, he might be able to work out a political solution to the AFSPA and other draconian laws. Being in the know of the situation in the region will help him form an informed argument in this regard and it will be interesting to know his views on this thorn of an issue.
The icing on the cake for the North East will however be Singh holding additional charge of MoS, Ministry of External Affairs. It is expected that his well intentioned measures for the region will transcend into his other office as well, and he will use it to further India’s Look East policy and bring in more and more investors and tourists to the Seven Sisters.
It is imperative that our leaders cut across party lines and work with this man who brings with him his impeccable credentials and his disciplined outlook cultivated from his years in a hallowed institution of world repute, for the greater good of the North East, so that the seven beautiful Sisters get their rightful place in the sun.
(The writer is an alumnus of St. Edmund’s School currently studying and preparing for the Civil Service Examination in New Delhi.)