Corruption in a civilized society is a disease like cancer, which, if not detected in time, is sure to malignance the polity of our country leading to disastrous consequences. Today uncontrolled corruption has spread like contagious disease in Nagaland and infected every public offices and public servants from top to bottom.
We know that most political leaders are not really qualified to carry on the administration though they might represent the will of the people. Neither are they competent to determine the state policy either in proactive or reactive manner. This task of administration and determination of policies is left to the civil servants because the system of electing our leader is corrupt and not fair.
The recent exposure of corruption in Food and Civil supplies, fuel adulteration, illegal backdoor appointment at various department by ACAUT where it siphoned cores of rupees through wheat, rice and SK Oil which was meant for public distribution indicates that the elite are leading a luxurious life at the cost of the downtrodden.
Rampant illegal backdoor appointments by the political leaders and govt. officials to remain in power is depriving thousands of eligible and qualified citizens of their right to livelihood guaranteed by the constitution of India. This unfair and imbalance appointment is leading to unproductivity, incompetence and inefficiency in workmanship, thus, deteriorating our economy. Moreover, hundreds of Govt. Dept. are spending cores of rupees for their salary, the development, production and revenue of the state remain stagnant. In addition, thousands of govt employees who are appointed against non-existing post is draining our economy like leaches sucking all the crores of rupees every month, while the deserving employees like teachers are water cannoned because they demand their legitimate salary. The genuine grievances of SSA, RMSA and Hindi teachers remain unaddressed even after repeated appeals and agitations.
Political instability in Nagaland is evident in the breaking and making of opportunistic alliances among political parties. Politics in Nagaland is often taken as synonymous to corruption, incompetence, political blackmailing, mass defection, and naked lust for power among politicians. Further it generates political corruption in the form of horse trading, bribes of money and ministerial seats as price of support in Lok Sabha seat etc. Party tickets, ministerial berths and public post were always distributed as a reward for loyalty to the leaders or the party and rarely for merit and ability of the person concerned. Corruption of this type develops out of greed of individuals and political immaturity of leaders. Nowadays crimes have started to breed at the top, filtering down to the lower level, eating into the vitals of our society.
A Public servant is devoid of honesty and integrity nowadays. At present hardly few organizational bodies, intellectual or professional is free from the degradation of criminal practices. Greed rules the roost and almost all the people of consequence worship Mamom as their God. Greed has neither sentiments nor humanitarian consideration. Nagaland being the Christian dominated state has completely lost moral and ethical values. We act like a Christian only on Sundays and become the monster the rest of the other six days in a week. Blame game needs to be stopped at once for the sake of the future generation. Most of our action is encouraging corruption in one way or the other, the fault line begins from us especially during election, we need to work hard and depend less on our elected leaders for huge financial assistance and Govt. job only then the moral and ethical values can be restored.
Gone are the days who join politics like Gandhi, Nehru, Chandra Bose, Dr, Ambedkar who were imbued with the spirit of serving the nation. Lets draw the inspiration from these noble leaders and inculcate the spirit of honesty, integrity, fearlessness, and courage to fight against corruption. Lets form a strong public opinion through platform like Naga Hoho where even the opposition less govt cannot ignored the interest of the general public and pressure the govt to adopt welfare legislation.
It is not easy to root out such a well entrenched moral and social evil, only a strongly motivated, honest leadership and pressure from the agitating public can put an end to corruption. What is needed is a sustained methodical weeding out of corruption and criminals and reforming of the administration. The system needs a complete overhaul, a reinterpretation and enactment of anti-corruption Act (Lokayuta) against corrupt, unscrupulous politicians and carry out corruption free economic policies that eventually ensure thousands of poor people a reasonable standard of living. It’s a challenge for the youth to change the system of electing our leader in a fair and reasonable manner and to accomplish this task in the upcoming general election.
Kashiho Sheqi
High School Colony, Kohima
