It is customary for VIPs from Meghalaya (politicians and officers) to visit European countries, ostensibly for tie-ups that would benefit the state. But do these visits ever result in anything concrete? In the past similar visits were made to other European countries but with little results. Since public money is used for such visits the public expect a detailed report of the visit and the areas of collaboration that have been agreed upon with the governments of the countries visited and the terms of engagements that these countries have set for us. Since all collaboration are based on mutual benefit, what is Meghalaya offering these countries in lieu of the technological assistance given to the state of Meghalaya and not just this present government? Let us not forget similar such business travels to the USA which were purportedly meant to be a learning exercise for our MLAs on the techniques of high wall mining. That was 2009. It is ironic that Meghalaya does not yet have even a mining policy! So what exactly did the MLAs learn from that visit? Was that not sheer waste of public money? It’s a different matter that in Meghalaya very few individuals or groups are public spirited enough to do an RTI on such superfluous visits!
This is not the first time that Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is visiting Europe. Would he like to inform the people of Meghalaya the list of projects that have benefitted them through such visits? The list of areas of collaboration this time looks like it includes everything under the sun and if we are to believe that these would lead to fruition then Meghalaya would indeed be a shining outpost! From agriculture to health care, sports, science and technology, urban development, eco-system management, sustainable business environment , art and culture; you have it all! So we have everything sorted out! Really? Will the Belgians come and help sort out the urban nightmare here? Can they induce behavioural change? What eco-system management can they teach us that we don’t already know of? Knowing is one thing – doing is another! It’s the doing part that is the challenge here. Let’s call such foreign visits by their name – paid holidays! And let’s also call the bluff out!