Democratic fabric eroded

By Heigrujam Nabashyam *

The recent mud-slinging in public between two top officials of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) which according to the state government and the Union Health Ministry is being upgraded to the standard of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is not surprising. It is an expected affair in a government institution or organization if funds are pumped in especially in states like Manipur.

It reminds us of the case of some armed militants making some serious allegations against the two officials a year or so ago regarding misuse of funds, etc. which are now vindicated by their own disclosures and allegations against one another. And what is amusing is the way the Ibobi Singh government is acting – acting in its classic style of feigning ignorance and innocence.

Bihar in the past – or even now – used to be the most corrupt and notorious state in India. Even a one time powerful chief minister – the indomitable Laloo Prasad Yadav was put behind bars while in office on charges of corruption and accumulation of wealth beyond his known sources of income. Now compare this with Manipur. Assume that a one time semi-literate unskilled worker becoming the richest man in the last few years, without any legal hassles, and no point for anyone to get jealous or worried in his or her feat ; but that at the cost of the public. And such a thing is the role model in Manipur – no law no hassle!

The last decade saw India becoming a major economic power in the world. The resources of the government of India have been multiplied. The central fund allocation for Manipur and also for all other states have been multiplied, for example the plan allocation for 2010-2011 for Manipur as reported in the media was Rs. 2600 crore but prior to 2000-2001 it was less than Rs. 500 crore anytime. This is a quantum jump and this is true for Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and all other states – Congress ruled or non-Congress, does not matter.

However, despite the liberal funds given by the Centre development in the state is just sluggish, be it power supply which is only horrible or the poor water supply or repairing and construction of roads, or construction of infrastructure of sewage, or the Capitol Project, or the many markets, etc. And the ready answer of the SPF government is "Law and order problems and demand for percentage by the insurgents" and not the "iconic 10 percent" hopefully!

Propaganda invariably is a part of politics but what is funny is on any talking forum the vulgar message of the SPF government is, the Ibobi Singh government has accomplished development works that no government in the past has ever done, without understanding the painful facts that it has wasted lots many opportunities heaped on it by its ill policy and blurred vision and has hurt Manipur more than at any time since statehood.

Development requires clear vision on the part of the leadership and hard work – both for the leadership and the public, the workforce especially, the youths. Hard work culture can only be promoted by instilling the sense of justice in the public domain which should only show that it pays like in other societies. For this to happen youths should be given opportunities for fair competition by the state government in all its recruitments, selection to all its various development schemes, etc.

But for its vision of development what has the SPF government done ? Enrich themselves by all means Lilliputing even the Madhu Kodas, destroying completely whatever remains of work culture in this violence torn state ? Annihilate all sense of justice by promoting out and out corruption and nepotism without rhyme or reason for which does the government need a checklist ? Has the Ibobi Singh government not dismantle the frail democratic institutions of the state ?

Confusing things to make matters worse to serve their interests is as old as politics. It's done everywhere. But for a democratic system to survive a minimum rule is observed, like if a scandal is brought to the notice of the public from any and any quarter whatsoever, the government has the minimum basic duty to take cognizance of it and proceed accordingly to enhance credibility of the democratic institutions at least, in the eyes of the public.

In Manipur in the last few years the media through different sources has brought to light scandals and scandals involving ministers, MLAs, top government officials, etc. And almost all the cases have been swept under the carpet or brushed aside by the SPF government one way or the other probably for fear of the proverbial can of worms, destroying the very ethics of accountability of the government, eroding the very credibility of the fabric of state's institutions of this blighted state.

No wonder, two top officials of the RIMS – the Director and his 2nd in Command – accused against one another in public telling their games played with an Institution promising to become national standard without giving a thought that their actions would seriously affect its functioning and also vitiate the supposed premier institute. Now it seems it has again been hushed up ! And the state government too, on the pretext that the institution is central seems to look the other way.

A simple method towards a solution of such extremely appalling incident in an extremely important public institution serving the very basic needs – the health – is that the government should immediately file FIRs against the two arrogant government servants and initiate actions to put them under suspension and let the law takes its own course. But where is the government? Who is stopping the SPF government from taking actions – the government of India or anything? And why is it stopping it?

Truly the O. Ibobi Singh government has caused much more harm to the lawful public, especially the 6 lakhs plus unemployed youths and the students community and has seriously undermined the institutions of this state more than any other governments that has ever governed; and the hapless public has only to resign itself to its fate, it only created though unwittingly.

Copy with high regards to:-
Smt. Sonia Gandhi
The Hon'ble Chairperson, UPA

Dr. Manmohan Singh
The Hon'ble Prime Minister

Shri Rahul Gandhi
General Secretary, AICC - via email.