Imkong Walling
The Chief Minister of Nagaland tweeted today congratulating the “PDA family” on its second anniversary. According to the tweet, the CM delivered the keynote address at the 1st People’s Democratic Alliance Leadership Conclave in Dimapur on March 9, the conclave also coinciding with the PDA commemorating two years in power.
“We discussed matters on education, healthcare, agriculture, IT & social sector among other things,” it added.
It further brought back memories of the promises the PDA announced on March 8, 2018. The promises it showered and the hope it generated was stimulating, but two years on, the promises appear no more than fragile egg shells.
Among the many promises was a part about good governance, transparency, meritocracy and policy targets. “All Government Departments and Government Institutions will be required to have its websites, internet portals and social media accounts that provide all information related to their respective Departments within 100 days,” it said.
Regular assessments of the Departments, including performance of Ministers and setting programme deadlines of 100 days, six months and 1 year was another.
It also assured biometric attendance system in government offices, asset declaration of MLAs and their spouses and linking beneficiaries of government funds to Aadhaar.
While there are government web portals, social media accounts of the powers that be and biometric attendance system, there has been no word on asset declaration and setting programme deadlines stopped short at 100 days.
Just like party/political allegiance shifting overnight, its development promises have either transformed beyond recognition, (willfully) forgotten or at best abandoned incomplete. The initial sense of hope that was generated is today lost on the people even as the government celebrates what it terms as “achievements.” The government can do more than face the ignominy of being equated with the proverbial eggs and oaths.
“Transparency in governance” as a term seldom fails to find a place in the vocabulary of the policy makers.
However, transparency can happen only when the policy makers are as open about their failures and drawbacks as much as they flaunt their “achievements.” Development can happen only when a government honestly subjects itself to public scrutiny.
And they might as well keep in mind that there is more to governance than just basking in the façade of social media accounts and celebrating anniversaries.
The writer is a Principal Correspondent at The Morung Express. Comments can be sent to imkongwalls@gmail.com
