By Aristotle Lyngdoh
Day by day we read in newspapers the insignificant development and controversies in our state and government. These reports reveal a sense of hopelessness and discouragement among many especially the upcoming generation and the helpless common people. It is the desire of the people and the electorate to have a stable government that will complete its term. That desire develops from the expectation and hope that something better and meaningful would happen to make everyone live a purposeful and vibrant lie without any dearth of opportunity and running their daily business without any constraints. But such expectations of the people from a stable government have made those in the government feel complacent and secure and also the right time for them to make laws suitable for their stability and a secured future. No wonder the Holy Book has foretold this type of situation 4000 years before the birth of Christ by Solomon who through the Spirit of the Most High God said, “When the righteous are in authority, people rejoice: but when the wicked rule, people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2).
By saying this I am not against any proposed law or legislation or any person, but I just want to make a point that everyone including the person on the street deserves the same care and concern from a responsible government as those Ex-MLAs or sitting MLAs who may not make a comeback in case fresh elections are held. In reality, if measured by any humanitarian and social and economic standards or by the concept of modern management system known as Performance Management System, before enhancing allowances or packages, employees have to be assessed whether they qualify for that salary enhancement. I am sure the MLAs both sitting and defeated would not qualify. One may post lots of queries on this issue. For instance, is it justified for anyone with a service of five years to enjoy the benefits of a lifetime? What actually necessitate such move or what was the noble and significant contribution that they have made as representative and legislators? For some with a short stint in power yet who have accumulated substantially disproportionate wealth, is this pension benefit useful or an extravagant waste? The list can go on and on. Most of the wealth that people have collected through their sweat and brow is being drained out for lack of super speciality hospitals like CMC, Appollo, etc. Health expenditure by people of the state is a major issue that the Rs 2 lakh insurance is just not sufficient. Sickness is unpredictable and people succumb to it. Those who survive have to spend all their savings in medical care. It is sad that health services in Meghalaya still falls short of our needs. Most students are pursuing technical education outside the state. This is another example of wealth drain. Are not these the concerns of the stable government? Health is wealth and technical education is an asset but does our government believe in these statements? Employment in organised sector and other professional sector is not happening, whereas, women’s employment in construction sector is increasing. This shows the attitude of the government towards its own people.
The situation that we are passing through now is dismal except for those who made significant personal achievements in life. Others are seemingly affected by the NGT ban on coal mining. But strangely, those who can access and manage the State’s resources, assets and facilities deliberately redirect every opportunity towards themselves and their families including their circle of influence. For instance, PWD is now owned by few persons who are either legislator-cum-contractor or close to influential ministers. But if central funds are curtailed in this department, the only option is to increase vehicles registration fees and a hike in road tax.
While students and those with specific reasons are facing hardship and problems outside their home town because of non- accessibility to the facilities built on the promise made for people’s interest and welfare, others despite having capability and substantial resources enjoying preferential benefits at the expense of others. This refers to the state of affairs of our Meghalaya houses outside. As for me and some of my colleagues, we are strangers to such facilities because we don’t feel a sense of ownership of these facilities. We thank the generosity of good friends from other states for hospitality when in Delhi or Kolkata.
Few legislators can see and pursue what is going on within the government and what direction it is heading, but others are enjoying in the ocean of administrative and legislative ignorance. The funny and shocking development is when we see the HSPDP leaders sometimes on the roof of a vehicle, followed by motor cycle riding activists and what not! Thanks to former DC of East Khasi Hills D.P Wahlang for abolishing horse carts in the city otherwise horses too will not be spared to make agitations or protests impactful. The HSPDP leadership is making relentless attempt to break one rock after another without any result, from Langpih border issue to MUDA bye laws and now Article 371 like Muhammad Bin Tughluq who thought that by shifting his capital he would solve the issues of his countrymen. While the party is busy trying to crush solid rock, supporters are dying in the spheres of incompatibility in a situation where their own leadership too has no solution and goal. On one hand their enthusiasm is genuine but their zeal and aspiration to do something for the community is shattered by their own intolerance and pride – two qualities that disqualify leadership.
It took me to a new level of thinking when I learned from one Pastor who visited South Korea recently how in that country, if a person lost a job or suddenly becomes jobless, cops will immediately come for enquiry. This conveys to me that the type of governance of that country is people –centric and is connected to the real development and involvement of every individual to live life purposefully and meaningfully. A motherly attitude is the primary aspect of good and responsible governance but are our legislators ready for this?
How long will this situation prevail and how many generations more will continue to visit Vellore and other places for treatment? Some people want the VAB passed and others oppose it? Who is right and who is wrong here? Interestingly, one retired Director jokingly said from expelling people, the Rangbah shnong are now trying to expel the Governor. Decisive and strong political will to meet the expectation of the people is still a far cry but for the good of all we need modern people to govern the modern generation. We need clear-sighted people with a vision for the future and who are able to understand the complex issues and also have the capacity to make laws without discriminating anyone.
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