Adversarial mode on District Councils

M Nizote *

Sit in Protest by members of 6th Autonomous District Council of Manipur at District Council Bhavan, Chingmeirong :: 17 January 2013
Pix - Deepak Oinam

The Manipur Hill Areas District Councils have been re-constructed under the third amended Act, 2008, and with the promises of the government to develop with more powers and facilities. But, still most subjects which ought to be developed as per the Act, is yet to be practically translated despite the Hon'ble MP Shri Rahul Gandhi who is also the Vice-Chairman of the AICC on his recently visit to Manipur have stressed on the need for devolution of power to the local self government for effective development.

He had also pointed out that there is no point of electing local bodies if the responsibilities and power are not given and urged the state government to devolve power to the District Council and PRI for effective implementation of UPA's developmental project and flagship programmes.

But, on the other hand, some subjects those which the state Government has already devolved to the District Councils are/were contradictorily interpreted by the bureaucrats claimed to have the guidelines and rules empowered them to decide and implement. Hence, bureaucrats at their own decision have been implementing by using NGOs collecting the name of beneficiaries from the village to villages.

They are also forming and constituting various committees both in the village level and the district as if the District Councils which democratically constituted have never existed, thereby crippling the policy of the Government for solving the grave social problems.

It is also interesting to note in respect of power delegation that BADP scheme which had been entrusted to the District Council by the state Government has again transferred to the village authority as per the recent order of the bureaucrat's wings stating they are based on guidelines. As such, the people find it puzzling whether the political executive can be altered/modified or supersede at the convenience and wishes of bureaucrat officers.

Though both the elected representatives and the Government officers are servants of public; their roles and responsibilities are distinct. The elected representatives are responsible to the electorates and the community as a whole for making the laws and executing the policies for the welfare and in the interest of people; but the bureaucrats are to fulfill their lawful obligations to the Government with professionalism and integrity.

They should perform their official duties honestly, faithfully and effectively respecting the rights of the public and should put priority to carry out implementing the policies of the sitting Government with full commitment and devolution as the basic idea behind the formation of its structure is to provide permanent Government to keep running the system of the Government for the larger interest of people as politicians come and go but bureaucrats stay on to look the working of the Government.

It is also their responsible to provide honest, impartial and comprehensive advice to the elected representatives/Ministers; however, final decision on policy making rest with the prerogative of the people's representatives.

Hence, the Government and the bureaucrats need to maintain integrity and professional ethics as are equally responsible of the state and now, may be the situation when one should focus for truth by eliminating the conscience of ego and adversarial mode so as to balance the society.