Notwithstanding the argument given by the Chief Minister that Nagaland’s Annual Plan outlay for the year 2010-2011 was approved for Rs 1500 crore (same as last year) because of the 712 crore shortfall in salary expenditure, it is somewhat disappointing that the plan outlay has seen no increase, although now the ruling NPF party has gone on to claim that the plan outlay is Rs 2212 crore. Nevertheless sticking to the figure of Rs 1500 crore, this is a bit unusual. Nagaland must be the only State in the Indian Union to remain stagnant as far as allocation of plan outlay goes. Is this a step motherly treatment meted out to the DAN government by the Congress led Central government or is it because of financial mismanagement as alleged by the Opposition Congress against the former? The public in Nagaland has the right to know why there is no substantial increase in the plan outlay. Revision of Pay (RoP) is being implemented across the country by all States and therefore Nagaland is not an exception to this. Why is there no increase in the plan outlay? It must be mentioned that over the last few years there has been a gradual increase in plan allocation. All States have also seen such increase. Usually, the Planning Commission will expect all States to perform at the desired level—both in the context of economic growth and sound management of the State’s finances. For the present DAN government it is therefore a good time to look at its own performance and see where it has done well and further improving on it, the areas where it has fared poorly and making necessary correction. Otherwise our State, which is a forerunner in the Northeastern region, will lag behind others.
It is now incumbent on the DAN government to judiciously use whatever little it has been able to get keeping in mind the all round development of the State. Firstly, corruption must be checked at all levels of government. At least it is not an election year so this is an opportunity to stabilize the State’s finances. The government must ensure that the meager funds allocated are utilized accordingly in an accountable and transparent manner. On top of all this, good governance, fiscal discipline and strengthening delivery system will remain the key. Secondly, wasteful expenditure must be curbed. With just Rs 1500 crore, we can ill afford to be extravagant or populist. Cost cutting measures wherever possible should be taken up. As already mentioned in these columns, the second round of road shows planned for the entire year is quite unnecessary. It will be much better to have one big mega Agri Expo at Dimapur as is being planned. This will showcase the unity in diversity of all the districts. For now, the Chief Minister should tell our government employees, technocrats, farmers and entrepreneurs to get to work and toil hard so that we can generate more output in terms of our productivity whether you are working in the office, market place or in the field. Let us therefore work harder and cut down on unnecessary spending. That way Rs 1500 crore may not be bad after all.
