An issue of common concern that has consistently been raised by different sections of the public through The Morung Express has been the deplorable conditions of the road in Dimapur and Kohima. There is a good probability that this sentiment will be echoed right across the different Naga towns and villages. Indeed, the condition of the roads is far from desirable and acceptable. One of the objectives with which The Morung Express recently introduced its weekly section MEx Meets the People was to deliberately facilitate the space for the public to raise issues that matter most to them from their own point of view.
One was always quite aware that the conditions of the road was far from what should be considered acceptable and yet the public opinion on this matter was to a greater degree confined to private arenas of discussion, rather than placing this agenda in the public sphere of life, without allowing the issue to be politicized along party lines. The appalling state of road conditions is an agenda no political party or government can evade; and the public resentment has surfaced constantly in an apparent manner through MEx Meets the People.
The demand for better road condition and facilities is not a privilege, but a right that is consistent with the implications of the right to life. In the same manner, the government must discharge its duty in ensuring that better road conditions succeed in improving the lives of people. Consequently it is equally important for the government to ensure that the contractors meet the basic conditions and criteria that enable them engage in road building, including holding them accountable to ensure that they have fulfilled required standards in road building.
To take it a step further and to implement democratic practices of governance, it may be helpful to have a citizenry body to evaluate the performance of the government and contractors not just in the area of road building, but also on the other primary public services such as electricity and water supply. There is no doubt that all these three issues of road, electricity and water supply have not quite met the minimum standards of requirement that is necessary to enhance quality of life. Therefore for different colonies to have an independent citizenry body to evaluate the performances of the government could be one way of democratically holding the various departments accountable.
One cannot still fathom how a government can garner all its power to single mindedly pursue the ideals of development, and still be ignorant enough in not investing and establishing the infrastructural pillars that are required for sustainable development. This approach reveals the temptation to pursue short term goals, generally reflective of any government that views development from a standpoint of tenure-based electoral politics; and just sufficient enough to give them a platform for the next election. Such an approach contravenes the paradigm of sustainable development.
Nagaland finds itself at such a crossroad. And unless an informed civil society consciously creates democratic space to evaluate and responsibly hold accountable the government on policy matters, it is likely that the development scenario would only degenerate into a classic case of form without content, buildings without people, transport without roads; quantity without quality and life without fulfillment. To this end, the public must assume a greater responsibility in addressing matters of all public issues from a value-based approach. In this endeavor, the media too has a responsibility in enhancing democracy and good governance, but to become that, it is imperative that the media’s capability is not stifled by the overwhelming culture of press releases.
