By Aristotle Lyngdoh
As a response to the call for incorporating our Dorbar Shnong into Local Self Government as put forward by Micheal Syiem (ST May 11, 2015) it is high time for the people to support this cause raising the level of our state at par with other nations and community of the world and bringing our local dorbar once again into the forefront of governance. Prior to this, few leaders in 2008-09 under the initiative of H S Shylla along with Advocate Herman Nongrum and Mr. Khlur Sing Lyngdoh, have spearheaded the movement of local self government mostly in rural areas under the banner Meghalaya Consultative Committee on Local Self Government. The initiative in those years drew considerable support because the rural folks understand the benefit and meaning of empowerment to every common man in the process of democratic governance embodied within the local self government system.
While analyzing and introspecting on our local Dorbar Shnong, certain remarks as to whether any justice prevails and whether there is accountability, the continuity of office, transparency (not only financial) and gender equality which are the pillars of true democracy, need interrogation. The Rangbah Shnong, other functionaries and committee members who represent the actual Dorbar per se claim that they are accountable to the general Dorbar Shnong held once a year or in a span of two or three as the case may be. But these general meetings of a community or Dorbar shnong are mere forms of summon to all residents to attend and listen what to has been decided and discussed in the inner circle. Of course that is one fair option but not subject to debate and criticism and in certain cases any attempt to replace a nominated member or specially a Rangbah Shnong may invite drastic repercussion and confusion even to the extent of division. In some locality the environment is such that unless you have crossed 20 years as permanent residents you cannot speak in the Dorbar or raise any issue. The process of electing and selecting incumbents within the local dorbar is often arbitrary and guided by an archaic form of democracy through voice vote. The public are often influenced by other things other than logic.
The question of accountability should also reflect some possible punitive actions applicable and relevant under the system in case the functionaries commit any wrong act or misuse their responsibilities. It is important therefore for every responsible resident to participate actively in the fair practice to bring about accountability.
In the context of continuity, the entire Executive Committee and main functionaries are not in any manner governed by any custom or tradition as there is a tendency to preserve and protect the smooth passage and transition of all actions and activities from one term to the next and keeping the records intact. So far, the act to maintain continuity of day to day activities depends on the whims and goodwill of the person occupying the chair and it is an open fact that when the new term or new office bearers assume responsibilities, they are at liberty to either follow their predecessors’ steps or begin a totally new initiative. I once was told by one person who happened to be the new headman that he had to make new stamps, seals and letterhead because the outgoing one deliberately lost everything. Such is the actual picture and state of affairs in our Dorbar Shnong. If the nature of sound continuity of office is maintained in its true spirit and practice on a legal framework, surely every community hall commonly housing the conduct of business and operation of most Dorbar Shnong would be piled up with lots of files and records but hardly can we find such things.
With regards to transparency, In most villages the person in a dominating position manipulates and controls the entire operation. Even financial management is completely absent and if it exists then the accounting is manipulated. Since accounting is done verbally and mentally it is very difficult to keep track and put records in order. The NOCs in most cases are decided and granted by one person except in few cases where the headman or Rangbah Shnong consults his inner circle. Such things are never discussed at the general meeting of the Dorbar because the general Dorbar is generally a report sharing meeting and for appointing and introducing of new incumbents. Therefore, a uniform system of governance is very much the need of the hour to allay the fears and doubts from everyone.
Another important issue is whether we can still avoid female participation in the Dorbar Shnong? There is a resistance to this issue even among the learned, not to speak of the rural areas. Then where is true justice and democracy? A healthy society cannot exist without the active contribution of all concerned sections and it requires strong will and determination to accommodate everyone in the process of rebuilding grass-roots governance.
Therefore, while trying to arrive at a solution to our beleaguered issues of traditional governance and at the same time if we are really serious about the future of our children and how the sound system of governance will emerge, these issues pertaining to accountability, continuity & transparency are of paramount importance. They are the parameters that we should consider in order to bring about a system of governance which is effective and meaningful and which empowers each and every citizen and which fulfils the concept “of the people”, “by the people”, “for the people” while at the same time meeting the goals and objectives enshrined in the constitution of the country.
(The writer can be contacted at [email protected])