By Napoleon S Mawphniang
As an advocate and RTI activist, humanist, and, as Eudardo Galeano put it, “the nobodies – Los Nadies,” I have observed the pernicious characteristics of crony capitalism entrenched in the administration of Meghalaya. This system of favouritism and exploitation has proliferated within the corridors of power, undermining the institutions intended to serve the populace. Through diligent investigation and numerous RTI petitions, I have revealed a network of deception that would embarrass Machiavelli.
The Meghalaya government, as to numerous others, has transformed into a corporation of crony capitalists, wherein a chosen cadre of “experts” are employed not for their competence or integrity, but for their acquiescence to the corrupt system. At the apex of this pyramid plan reside the high-ranking bureaucrats, living as contemporary aristocrats at the expense of taxpayers. They indulge in extravagant benefits and inflated incomes while the general populace grapples with financial hardship.
These wretched individuals endure a condition of constant uncertainty, confronting either severe exploitation or debilitating inactivity. Some labour incessantly, their efforts exploited by unscrupulous bosses, while others receive compensation for non-existent work, their presence exemplifying systemic inefficiency.
The Meghalaya government has perfected the art of deception, concealing their genuine motives beneath a facade of developmental discourse. They incessantly discuss progress and expansion, however their actions demonstrate a sole emphasis on infrastructural initiatives and profit-generating ventures.
Through my persistent enquiries using RTI applications, I have uncovered the underlying objectives of government officials, exposing bureaucratic obscurity. Like voracious wolves, they encircle the files that provide the most substantial cash gains, their curiosity aroused solely by the allure of wealth. The speed at which a file progresses through the complex corridors of authority is exactly related to the magnitude of the prospective kickback or the influence of the concealed business partner orchestrating the actions.
This illicit coalition of bureaucrats, politicians, and their clandestine business partners has established a parallel economy that functions beyond the realm of official transactions. A businessman acquaintance once revealed to me that the most effective method to accelerate a government file is to facilitate the process by substantial “donations” to political campaigns and election money. This reciprocal system guarantees that a select group consistently retains influence, their attendance at governmental events and formal assemblies serving as evidence of their privileged position.
The Meghalaya government has mastered the art of misdirection, employing the guise of development to obscure their actual intentions. Infrastructure projects transform into complex money-laundering schemes, with contractors acting as intermediaries for the 10% that invariably enriches politicians. The appearance of equitable bidding and transparent tendering processes disintegrates upon examination, exposing a manipulated system where only individuals with appropriate connections prevail.
The concentration of authority among a limited number of individuals is seen in the allocation of construction contracts. Similar to a mediaeval fiefdom, each minister and MLA delineates their domain, allocating profitable projects to their selected vassals. The sole prerequisite for success in this system is not competence or efficiency, but the robustness of one’s political connections. Individuals who are adversely positioned against the ruling party endure neglect, with their constituencies deprived of resources and development.
This political reality has engendered a notable phenomena in Meghalaya – the significant movement of opposition MLAs to the ruling party. Similar to moths attracted to a flame, these politicians forsake their ideas and rhetoric, enticed by the allure of access to governmental resources. The shift is rapid and total, with yesterday’s vehement detractors now becoming today’s fervent advocates of the programs they once condemned.
The Umsning constituency exemplifies this broader tendency. Through meticulous RTI enquiries, I revealed a pattern of contract awards that would elicit scepticism from even the most cynical observer. A significant portion of construction projects was awarded to a single contractor, who is conveniently connected to both the former MLA and a current minister. Although some may contend that this contractor was selected for their integrity and reliability, the substantial amount of work allocated raises scepticism.
The engineers’ silence over the oversight of these projects is highly indicative. Whether coerced by the threat of retaliation or lured by the prospect of personal gain, these technical specialists have relinquished their duty to guarantee quality and cost-effectiveness. Their collusion in this corrupt system constitutes a betrayal of public trust and a failure of duty, resulting in significant repercussions for the citizens of Meghalaya.
The corporation governing Meghalaya functions with a sophistication that would perplex even the most discerning observer. It is a system engineered to benefit a select few at the cost of the majority, characterised by a convoluted bureaucracy and political favouritism that safeguards the elite while relegating the people to continuous hardship.
In villages and towns, the atmosphere is laden with the grievances of the populace. In taxis and buses, tea shops and marketplaces, a chorus of grievances emerges — a cacophony of voices lamenting the tribulations of everyday existence. Inflation significantly strains household finances, while the threat of unemployment looms over the youth. Corruption pervades every aspect, exacting a cost from even the most ordinary transactions.
The circumstances in Meghalaya are not exceptional. Historically, analogous tendencies of crony capitalism and bureaucratic exploitation have manifested in cultures globally. In ancient Rome, the patronage and clientelism system established a network of responsibilities and favours that compromised the republic’s functionality. During the Gilded Age in America, robber barons and political machines collaborated to accumulate immense wealth at the detriment of labourers and the public interest.
In each instance, a select elite exploited their political affiliations to amass substantial fortune, while the bulk of residents were relegated to contend with a progressively unequal society.
The crony capitalists and corrupt bureaucrats of Meghalaya have perfected this approach, establishing a system wherein every transaction, contract, and policy decision is tailored to advance their interests. They have constructed a web so complex that even those who seek to contest the current quo become ensnared in its strands. By means of education, organisation, and relentless campaigning, we may cultivate a movement that leverages the combined strength of Meghalaya’s populace. By advocating for genuine growth that serves the entire populace rather than a select few, we can initiate a transformation in governmental priorities. By advocating for transparent bidding procedures and stringent oversight of public projects, we may dismantle the dominance of crony contractors in our infrastructure development.
As I finalise this exposé on the pervasive system of crony business and corruption in Meghalaya, I expect scepticism from certain factions. To skeptics of my assertions, I extend a challenge: submit your own RTI submissions regarding these issues. The truth exists, awaiting discovery by those possessing the audacity to pursue it.
For individuals disappointed by inaction at the state level, I recommend a more radical approach: initiating a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to compel central government institutions to investigate these claims. My own experience has demonstrated the ineffectiveness of depending on state police to resolve these matters. I have repeatedly observed my concerns, especially those concerning corruption, stagnate in bureaucratic limbo, wasting valuable time and money without producing results.
The cause of this delay is evident: the network of corruption throughout the governmental structure, entangling officials and political parties. Every file and complaint is irrevocably connected to people in authority, establishing a self-sustaining system of safeguarding.
I urge all citizens of Meghalaya to participate in the struggle against corruption and crony capitalism. By submitting RTI applications, endorsing investigative journalism, or vocally opposing injustice, every action aids the broader endeavour for a government that genuinely serves its citizens.
The prevailing corrupt corporation in Meghalaya is not insurmountable. It is perpetuated by our silence, indifference, and trepidation. By shattering this quiet, converting apathy into proactive measures, and addressing our anxieties with valour, we may initiate the dismantling of this corrupt system and establish a government deserving of the people of Meghalaya.
A thousand-mile journey commences with a solitary step. Let us go collectively, equipped with truth, unified in our objective, and steadfast in our dedication to an improved future for Meghalaya. The moment for transformation is here, and the authority to instigate that transformation resides within us. Let us utilise it judiciously and persistently, for the sake of our state and future generations.
(The writer is a practising Advocate , Trade Unionist and Humanist)