Dimapur, April 19 (EMN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has expressed its support and appreciation to the Nagaland state cabinet’s decision to ban legislators to attend functions as “chief guests” or make monetary donations during such events.
A press release from the NVCO on Thursday expressed support to the People’s Democratic Alliance government for the decision. The organization also appreciated the government’s initiative of banning cash donation during the event.
The press release stated that it was ‘beneficial to the common people as it is going to reduce the extract of public funds.’ Stating which, ‘It would allow the public funds to flow for the very specific project.’ Be it MGNREGA, old age pensions, persons with disabilities, various infrastructural developmental and human resources projects, below poverty line, and such.
The organization stated, ‘The people of the state must admit the fact that the nomenclature–chief guest is fondly used.’ It added that, such gestures were not only to extent respect ‘but more to do with the expectation of getting money.’
‘Whenever a public function or a jubilee is conducted, people are not concern about chief guest speech but are more interested to enquire how much he or she donates,’ the press release stated.
Citing an instance, the press release alleged that, ‘the students bodies used to search a person to be their chief guest who can donate more money.’
Further, the organisation claimed that they have come across incidences, where a ‘disqualified high school’ individual was the chief guest of students’ union conferences, and college functions.
Supporting their statement, the association said that, ‘it is the people who compelled the chief guest to donate money and announce monetary grants.
The NVCO alleged that, the chief guests were gifted with wild life animals, deer and bird meats, mithun (Bos frontalis), cultural attires, expensive handicrafts, Naga gate, and such.
‘Thank God this culture has come to an end and it is simply a win-win decision where both the public and politicians are equally benefitted,’ the press release stated.
The association added that the public must make sure not to practice ‘such culture.’ It hoped that the organisers manage events with minimum expenses even in the future.
