In the Morung Poll on the question of what should be the topmost priority for Nagas in 2020 and why? political solution topped the list, closely followed by good roads, wholistic development and responsible governance. Nagaland as a State wants to be better, because when a State develops so does the lives of everyone else in the State. As mentioned by a poll respondent, when responsible governance is truly practiced then there will be political solution, good roads, development and everything else will follow suit. This 2020 can we be hopeful for the Nagaland of our Dreams?
The Nagaland of Our Dreams
This article is an attempt to analyse the progress made in the state in various sectors which was highlighted in my previous article published on 12th June, 2013 in Morung Express titled, “Bringing Development to the People of Nagaland: Focusing on Rural Development”. My earlier article focused mostly on rural development. But here I want to highlight on both rural and urban Nagaland. I am quite happy to see the development happening in the field of basic amenities like electricity, road, water, communication, education, sanitation and health, considerable progress can be marked. l However, there is still a long way to fill the gap of development. The Central Government spends and releases crores required for the development of various sectors in the State. As I already stated in my previous article that resource allocation is not a problem, but implementation seems to be most important and it should be properly monitored. In this regard, I believe that the State Government needs to be more structured and its priorities clearly defined.
The ministers of various department of the Government may focuses on their own primary responsibility, for example
Ministry of Power – Mission Electricity
Ministry of Roads – Mission Roads
Ministry of Water – Mission Water
Ministry of Communication – Mission Communication
Ministry of Agriculture – Mission Holistic Farming.
Ministry of Health – Mission Health & Sanitation
The primary focus of the ministers should be towards execution of the vision and mission statements and achievement of the interim targets. Even though elections take place, ministers may change, the vision and mission statements and interim targets stay on track. The targets should be measured and made transparent to the public.
On the positive, some of the remarkable progress is on track . Some of the recommendations highlighted in my previous article appear to be on its way to completion soon.
Roadways: In regard to roadways, I highly recommended that the construction and maintenance of roads and drainage system should be entrusted to a dedicated agency and specific tasks outsourced, if necessary, to ensure quality and efficiency. Previous scenario was such in which one agency constructed the road, while another is responsible for ensuring that the corresponding drainage alongside is in proper condition. This lack of coordination resulted in blockage of drains each time the road gets a fresh coat of tar. Presently, it seems that both aspects are being managed by the same agency.
Health & Sanitation: In regard to health and sanitation, “Swachh Bharat Mission” was launched on 2nd October, 2014 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with an aim to achieve clean India by 2019, as a fitting tribute to the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The people of Nagaland too adopted the mission wholeheartedly. Various social organisations, schools, colleges, government agencies etc. joined hand-in-hand to improve the level of cleanliness in both rural and urban areas through Solid and Liquid Waste Management activities and making Open Defecation Free (ODF), clean and sanitary.
Electricity: In regard to electricity, the state made remarkable progress. As per the data recorded at the end of March, 2019, Nagaland had a total installed power generation capacity of 170.03 MW, of which 138.36 MW was under central sector, 30.67 MW was under state utilities and private sector accounted for 1.00 MW. According to the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Nagaland, Central Statistics Office; the total installed power generation capacity, 81.03 MW was contributed by thermal, 57.33 MW by hydro and 31.67 MW by renewable energy.
Water: The interior parts of the state is still facing the scarcity of water. Although a lot of commendable work is being done in urban areas and various parts of rural area, yet greater emphasis needs to be placed on the other areas by adopting a watershed management etc.
I still remember the days while I was pursuing my Post Graduation while residing at a rented house at ‘D’ Block, Kohima where sometimes my roommate and I had to walk deep down to the valley to collect water at night, along with other neighbours. Hopefully, the State Government will bring the issue in the cabinet meeting to plan and implement and thereby minimize the scarcity of water.
Industry: After 72 years of Independence and 56 years of statehood, the industrial base of Nagaland is still narrow. The major industries in Nagaland are based on local forest products, agro-based products and traditional handloom and cottage industries. The State Government, with a view to develop industrial sector, had set up a few medium scale industries such as Dimapur Sugar Mill, Plywood factory at Tizit, Paper and Pulp industry at Tuli, Mini Cement Plant at Wazeho, Phek, Fruit and vegetable processing unit at Dimapur, but almost all these units have ceased to operate and have caused heavy capital loss to the state in general and misery to the displaced employees. New initiatives are necessary after careful survey of the development potentials of different regions. So far, the main reasons for industrial backwardness are the inadequacy of infrastructure such as transportation, communication and adequate power supply, problem of availability of raw materials, weak institutional finance, inadequate marketing strategy etc. Therefore, the State Government should make strategic planning and facilitate the required infrastructure that will create conducive conditions for industrial base. Potential investors and entrepreneurs should be encouraged. Institutional finance are also required to be provided on a-need basis.
Though the economy of Nagaland is confronted by many developmental challenges, yet it has made significant progress in several fields like agriculture, transport, banking, power and human development like education, health institutions and water supply. Regardless of tremendous efforts and investments made towards economic development, the state is far behind the expected level of development. Who is to be blamed for it? Is it the Central Government or the State Government or the people residing in the state? Let’s put aside the blame game! I still believe that there should be constructive debate in the Assembly, on the TV and in the Press to define the responsibilities of the Government and for greater transparency. For the State’s sake, every resident of the state should stand united and take responsibility on their part and political parties should put aside their differences so that they can draw a ‘common minimum programme’ under the government’s rule and functioning putting aside their differences and construct the ‘NAGALAND’ of our dreams!
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Dr. Pfokrelo Kapesa, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
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