Editor,
Your editorial “Politicising corruption” (ST Dec 10, 2020) is interesting. On one hand, there are serious and credible allegations of corruption against the present regime and on the other there are politicians who are trying to fish in troubled waters. The most notable thing in this whole drama over corruption in Autonomous District Councils is that the ruling coalition is trying to brazen it out. Every time, somebody raises a corruption charge, the response of the political masters (read NPP) has been to deny it outright. Instead of agreeing to look into the specific charges, the NPP-led government has bravely shielded those against whom the charges have been brought. It is politically expedient that with Garo Hills Autonomous District Council election impending, the ruling side would not like to show chinks in its armour. That’s perfectly understandable. But what about the other two? Obviously, NPP realises that its best bet is to buy time. And precisely this is what they are trying to do. By ordering a meaningless exercise of audit of the funds management during the past ten years, it has been ensured that Garo Hills election does not trigger electoral reversal for the ruling side. The bottom line is: Power at all costs. Devil may care is the attitude today.
This is a decadent political culture quite in contrast with earlier times.
In the earlier years, as you rightly pointed out, people owned moral responsibility. Can we forget that BJP ministers (T.H.Rangad and A.L.Hek) had resigned from the cabinet over the allegations of corruption in construction of Meghalaya House Kolkata? Can we forget that chief minister E.K.Mawlong had to quit? Don’t we remember big heads rolled in the Jowai PHE scandal? And what about a minister from Garo Hills who had to resign after some embarrassment in Kolkata? Anybody, who has observed Meghalaya’s emerging political culture will agree that today, it has degenerated into ostrich-like denial of corruption charges and that with a straight face! This is the real tragedy, not the corruption per se.
Our young Chief Minister can play the political blame game when his arch rival Mukul Sangma raises the issue. They also cleverly silenced the coalition partner BJP’s voice. They might have weathered the storm over a cabinet minister’s direct link with coal smuggling. Stripping of Home portfolio after cabinet colleagues pushed the Chief Minister is a tacit admission of guilt. The fact that nobody is punished, no investigation was carried out and the minister still continues to feather his own nest is most despicable. How I wish the pressure groups were out in the streets raising slogans and putting up banners seeking punishment to the corrupt.
Kindly permit me to mention an interesting fact about Singapore which is the second least corrupt country in the world. Singapore’s legendary Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew had set strict moral standards for ministers and officers. Once a cabinet minister had gone on a tour abroad with his family – all sponsored by a businessman friend. When he returned to the country after the jaunt, at the airport police arrested him since he had violated the moral code of corruption-free governance. By taking the hospitality of a businessman friend, the minister was seen as indulging in corruption. Such gold standard made Singapore what it is today.
By comparison, such rotten standards set by our politicians has plunged Meghalaya to its current depth of despair. Is there a hope for rising from the gutters? Unfortunately, no! Because public, and more especially the youth of the state, has accepted corruption as a way of life! Today’s youth will be tomorrow’s leaders and that’s where the real despair lies.
Yours etc.,
- Lyngdoh,
Via email
Farmers Protest
Editor,
The farmers’ protest enters the 17th day with no end to the deadlock on the three Farms Laws. Multiple rounds of dialogue had taken place between the farmers and the government, yet there is hardly any breakthrough. The number of protestors is growing with each passing day and with more from across Punjab and Haryana making a beeline to join the protest in the national capital. The agitation has drawn international attention and also singers, actors from Punjab have joined the bandwagon in support of the farmers. Attempts are being made to delegitimize the protest from those in support of the government and certain sections of the media by calling out names such as “Khalistani” and “Agents of the Congress”.
Union Minister Raosaheb Danve also claims that Pakistan and China are behind the ongoing protest by the farmers, which evoked a sharp reaction from them. Meanwhile, the protestors said that their agitation has remained apolitical and they did not allow any political leaders to use their platform.
So now, what’s next for the government?
The government is working on a strategy and is welcoming the farmers to come to the table for a discussion. Is there a trust deficit? The manner in which the Bills were rushed through amidst the pandemic certainly raised some eyebrows.
The farmers’ apprehension comes mainly from no mention of MSP( Minimum Support Price) in the Act and they fear that they could be exploited by private players who would buy their crop at cheap prices. No doubt, a reform is the need of the hour but any changes to the laws would massively impact their livelihoods.
However, discussions with different stakeholders and farmers should have taken place prior to the passing of the bills and not after. Farmers have a vital role to play in the growth of India’s economy. Hopefully, the government will find ways and means to reach a consensus with the agitating farmers and may peace prevail.
Yours etc.
Steven Marbaniang,
Via email