Vecito Dozo
Many a time politicians, intellectuals and NGOs have spoken in volumes and top officials of the State vented annoyance on the deteriorating work culture in Government establishments of the State through organized meetings and print media. Should we term it as a social disease of madness or laziness? Generally, we find the people of the state are excessively active in one’s domestic life/affairs and very dear to one’s personal belongings and properties. This sense of belongingness and activeness is very precious in public life too.
Dedication and personal commitment is very important in the service of the people or being in public service.
Certainly, a good number of experts and experienced employees are there in every establishment and inevitably they become the corner-stone of a particular Office success or downfall. The need of the hour is that every employee should be properly trained or oriented to become the corner¬stone where one has been posted or assigned for the job.
For instance, in vast majority of Government Offices one will find outdated Rule Books or sometimes none. Even if a particular subject matter specifically requires (Service Rules) reference, the person dealing with the matter have to either make on his own or have to rely on the hearsay. For how long this practice will continue and survive in Government establishments.
The State of Nagaland is the offspring of unrest political movement. In the early days of State administration, jobs were offered as matter of relief and rehabilitation to local citizen and many were either recruited or borrowed from outside the state to strengthen the hands of State functionaries and machineries. To their credit the non-local employees with zeal and dedication have sincerely served the government with one goal and purpose. Contrary to that the local employee’s except a few, have unspoken pre-occupation/reservations in their mind and many a time made compromises.
Worst to fuel the confused mind and the generations, the State politicians and legislators who are supposed to be the lawmakers of the State more often talk about the Nagas aspiration, National goal of the people (Naga context). Politically, this propagation may sound enthralling and emotive to hear, so also it would have equal share of adverse impact in the administration of State affairs.
Another hindrance in the effective administration of State affairs and a factor leading to deteriorating work culture is excess political interference. Effective administration needs proper recruitment, posting of requisite strength of staff and discipline among the personnel etc. Further why are government employees being concentrated only in urban areas? Does post(s) created only meant for urban base offices, institutions or establishments? How and why it is too difficult to discipline unruly, contemptuous and irregular employees within the department as per the rules? “Of course politicians are kind hearted man, who would never agree to displease whoever ushers in favors”.
Besides the above factors, the callousness of the administrator, the contributory negligence of the employer and its employees are some other factor which needs rectification and improvement.
