By Moa Jamir
To say that several formidable challenges await Nagaland State Government in the New Year would be an understatement. Most of these are external, but many defining challenges are self-inflicted, often consequences of past decisions.
Internally, the foremost is the creation of Tseminyu, Niuland and Chümoukedima respectively as the 13th, 14th and 15th district of Nagaland. Officially notified on December 20, after a Cabinet’s decision on December 18, the ‘surprising’ big-ticket announcement was both hailed enthusiastically as well as received with consternation depending on one’s vantage point, particularly concerning the reorganisation of Dimapur district.
Expectedly, the repercussion of the decision to demarcate Dimapur into three districts will confront the State Government right at the beginning of 2022, along with analogous demands by other contenders, including a planned agitation demanding the upgradation of another sub-division into a district from January 2.
After laying low on account of the festive season, the issues of Dimapur district, most possibly will surface in January, with both supporters and antagonists of the decision consolidating their positions.
Whether the big announcement was impulsive or a calculative political move, only time would tell; either way, the ramification would be ‘costly.’ Firstly, it will affect the social fabric of the society and create more polarisation. Given the dynamics of State politics, such decisions rarely affect the politicians or the government of the day, but citizens bear the brunt.
Collectively, the addition of three new districts would exact a huge administrative cost and further burden the already beleaguered State exchequer. Perhaps the announcement of more districts is the State Government’s way of creating more ‘jobs’ in the saturated government sector.
Another formidable challenge is the follow-up to the 'Oting Yatong massacre incident,' with the initial one-month deadline of the probe by the five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Nagaland Government ending in the first week of January 2022. However, with the ongoing parallel probes, including one by the Indian Army, as well as the customary practice, the deadline might be extended. How the extension is received by the people, particularly the Konyak Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is another matter of concern for the government. As such, the contentious and draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 will continue to occupy centre stage in the New Year, with the protracted Naga political peace process in the background.
Generation of revenue may be another headache for the Nagaland Government as the State may witness the highest deficit yet in the next fiscal. The lowering of taxes on petroleum products twice in 2021, will definitely impact the revenue collection. While the cut in taxes benefit the public, those at the helm of affairs must find new ways to generate revenue, and partial lifting of the infamous Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, cannot be ruled out.
The prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to pose strong challenges to the State Government. Consequently, the government of the day must find creative ways to face the persistent challenge of the pandemic.
The challenges are immediate and require sound policy decisions and rational reasoning, not sentiment or political gain. The State Government is known to take similar decisions in the past, and perhaps, there is a method to the madness. However, in 2022, the State Government policy decisions must be guided by long-term benefits, not pyrrhic victory.
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