Along Longkumer
Consulting Editor
A Governor is usually appointed by the Union Government for a period of five years. As per the Indian Constitution, this term of office may be terminated earlier either through dismissal by the President or resignation. It is therefore a little unusual to come across the practice of Governor’s getting transferred out before the end of their tenure. For whatever reasons, the last two Governors of Nagaland, K. Sankaranarayanan and Nikhil Kumar both did not complete their full term of office. The former was shifted to Jharkhand and presently looks after Maharashtra while the latter has been appointed to Kerala. A new Governor for Nagaland has taken charge. Former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Ashwani Kumar was sworn in on March 21, 2013. He joins a long list of former IPS officers being posted to Nagaland. However what sets apart Governor Ashwani Kumar from past appointments is that he has to his CV the experience of heading the CBI, the premier investigating agency of the country. There is every reason to believe that the concern over corruption prevailing here may have prompted Delhi to bring in someone like Ashwani Kumar. Besides keeping a watch over governance, the new Governor will also be expected to keep the Centre informed about the security situation in the State and more so given the delicate stage of the ongoing peace process and also the innumerable armed factions operating along with ceasefire ground rules to contend with. So it’s going to be quite a task for the new Governor.
As was expected, the new Governor has touched on the subject of corruption during his first formal interaction with media persons from the State. Stating that corruption needs to be controlled, Ashwani Kumar urged parents to inculcate integrity, values and character in children to eradicate corruption. He also called on schools, colleges and universities to teach correct values and ethics so that students can take “ethical decision”. He also mentioned about being responsible citizens. Can the new Governor do more than just outline long term measures to tackle corruption? Given that he is only a constitutional head of the State and his powers are mostly nominal, will the Governor be able to curb and control corruption as he has stated. One will have to wait and watch. While the Governor of Nagaland, under Article 371 A, has special responsibility (discretion) with respect to law and order in the State, can this extend to the area of governance and decision making? Perhaps not. The Governor will have to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister. Even during the time of the last Governor Nikhil Kumar, several charges of corruption, including against individual Ministers were brought to the notice by the Opposition Congress party but the former could not act on his own, even though we know that Ministers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Governor.
Every person who comes to Nagaland as Governor will in all probability be enamored by the beauty, hospitality and not to forget the charm exhibited by the Nagas. As a result, things can become too cozy or homely that we are unable to tackle serious problems confronting the State or its people. While cordiality has to be maintained, yet this should not blind us to the ugly reality around us. And if corruption is a concern in the State, than who better to handle this than the Governor. Indulging in corruption involving public money is a serious offence and deserves appropriate response from the top. Hopefully the Governor will keep a close watch on the way public money meant for development is used or misused. And even though the Governor’s power may be limited, the elected government under him must work for achieving peace, progress and development and to ensure that the State administration gears up to meet the expectations that citizens have from his Government. Taking on corruption and ensuring accountability and transparency in governance will be of great service to public welfare. This is everybody’s responsibility not just the Governor’s.
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