Capitalism plays very important role in a democratic society. It is the capitalists who run the government. But it is unfortunate to see that capitalism is established at the cost of poor people’s daily bread. In political system I certainly stand for democracy, where every citizen has equal right and freedom. It is said that extreme democracy is anarchism. In Indian politics anarchism is the rule of the day. Few individuals have the power; money, and authority. This egoistic power is becoming more and more conspicuous in Nagaland today. The government and the authorities a are nurturing the philosophy of” rich become richer and l100r become poorer”. I would like to highlight few things about this reality in Nagaland.
1. First is the policy of dawn sizing: This central government’s policy to make few people rich and keep the poor in their own condition. The reason is that only twelve persons are holding power in the state. Some are holding 1 0 portfolios; where as the few ministers are given one or two portfolios. This dawn sizing policy has neither minimized the expenditure nor reduced corruption. It has made few people to grab public money and put them in their pocket. This is capitalist policy, ignoring the people.
2. Second is the policy of one man one job: With this policy the contract works are given to only first class contractors. This policy neither improves the quality of work, nor accomplishes the work. There is no circulation of money in the society. Money is just poured into the lap of few first class contractors. The work is usually done on the paper not on the land. The road and buildings are constructed on the paper not on the land. Those who really do the work are just foolish. Recently it appears in some Papers that Nagaland contractors are asking the government to release 16 crores of credits. Where in Nagaland have the works done at the cost of Rs. 16 crores. The government has many good plans and attractive schemes; however they are not implemented. It only makes rich richer and poor poorer.
3. Government Schools: I have been educated in government schools, at Chizami and at Pfutsero. Im grateful to the central government for providing scholarship to me both in school and in College. Now I’m principal of a college. But now it is painful to see government schools. It is the poorest children who study in government schools. The government promise to provide text books. But text books do not come. If it comes the students receive them only after half year. Government schools are completely neglected. I suggest that scholarship should be provided to the students who study in government schools. Both the authority and school teachers must take this seriously and help poorest of the poor.
4. Underground movement: The other factor which makes the poor people to become poorer is the underground government. They have forgotten Naga people’s freedom and sovereignty and fighting among themselves for supremacy. Under their suppression the public is languishing as they cannot fight without eating, so they keep on collecting money from the people, even the poorest of the poor in the villages are not spared. Now Naga people are paying four taxes; Government of India, IM faction, K faction and FGN. Besides, yearly tax the factions will forcibly collect, army ration and other emergencies. The poor villagers who depend on cows, pigs and chicken have to sell them and pay their taxes and forcible collection. In towns they collect money from the shops and vehicles, even pan shops are not spared. Thus making poor people poorer.
5. What about the MLAs and Ministers?: Ministers and MLAs are elected by the people. They are supposed to bring development to their constituencies. They make promises, but hardly fulfill one or two. They have little concern for the people of their constituency, who voted them to power. Rather they accumulate money for the next election. They build houses, one in Dimapur, one in Kohima, one in their home town and one in their village, thus most ministers have five houses; whereas many voters are still living under thatch roof. Many have no money to buy books and clothing for their children. They must realize that they got the wealth and property because of the voters. In other words, their wealth and property belong to the people who vote for them. If they continue to make poor people poorer, one day the voters shall claim back their property and wealth.
It is strange that in Nagaland; a Christian land, the authorities have no concern for the people. Poor people are left to their own condition. Government policies and planning should drastically change in order to help the poor people in Nagaland. Many schemes for the people have never reached the grassroot level. The rich and powerful should think of the equal distribution of money and other sources, so that every one in state get their share (per capita) in order to survive in the Christian land.
K. Lasuh, BTC, Pfutsero
