Dimapur, May 24 (MExN): Taking a dig at the State Government in light of the recent disclosure made by Justice Songkhupchung Serto of the Gauhati High Court that 99% of court cases in Nagaland were against the government, The Naga Rising (TNR) today stated that the issue needed great attention.
These comments were made through a press release issued by the organisation on May 24 which further expressed that, the statements of the judge carried in it a message that the government needed to pull its socks up as all is not well with the health of democracy in Nagaland.
The TNR also commented that, almost all court cases in Nagaland have been against the government is not surprising given the poor state of governance that is “characterized by rampant corruption where several crores worth projects are perennially in a state of incomplete and where backdoor appointment is the norm, and meritocracy, the exception.”
It added that with such a staggering number of court cases against it, one cannot help but reflect on the growing frustration of the people with the executive and the legislative branches of the government.
The TNR explained that the Constitution provides for separation of powers to ensure checks and balances in the system and judicial review is an integral part of the democratic system. “People go to court because governments fail to discharge their duties diligently and according to the rule of law. The court steps in only after political and administrative options are exhausted,” the TNR stated.
The TNR stated that the present scenario calls for deep thinking on why the executive and the legislative branches of the government of Nagaland have failed to be responsive and responsible.
Narrowing the growing trust-deficit between the government and the citizens is key for our democracy to survive and strive, the TNR said, adding that it is time the electorates seriously “rethink how our representatives are elected who run the government.”
