Act East Policy
[caption id="attachment_181624" align="alignnone" width="550"]
Lithrongla Chishi with Johny Rengma, director of the NSTFDC, and department officials at the launch of the CITE-Nagaland in Kohima on May 7.[/caption]
Our correspondent
Kohima, May 7 (EMN): “Are we, Nagas, ready to a part of it?” The query comes at a time when the entire nation is focusing on the direction of the Act East Policy while the business sector is gearing up to get a chunk of good business out of the developmental move. The Northeast region of India is the corridor to the Southeast Asian nations.
The query was posed to local entrepreneurs by Lithrongla G Chishi, commissioner-secretary for Industries and Commerce, at the launch of the Confederation of Indian Tribal Entrepreneurs- Nagaland Chapter (CITE) as part of the “Start Up India” movement.
The programme was organised by the department of Industries and Commerce at Hotel Japfü in Kohima, on May 7.
The officer contextualized the challenge within the ambit of the government’s policy to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationship with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Nagaland being at the corridor to a ‘world of opportunities,’ Chishi queried: “Are we going to be just a mere doorkeeper or are we going to be a part of it?”
Asking the local entrepreneurs to seriously think about the challenge, she asserted that the state should be the ‘doorway’ through the entrepreneurs by standing up, starting up and dream about it, lest the people of the state be a silent spectator, get nothing while people will be taking over and be a part of that business.
Chishi wondered “for how long will we wait for subsidy money? How long will we wait for grant-in-aid? How long will we beg without a bowl?” and opined “we are high class beggars. We beg without a bowl, but we are beggars.”
Chishis has also been very vocal about the failures of the government departments towards implementation, execution and monitor the facilities and the programmes that have been given to the state over the years. This, she admitted has been a road block for many aspiring entrepreneurs.
While the departments are supposed to be the facilitators, create avenues and awareness and show people the way, try and develop services etc, she said perhaps “we have missed the roads sometimes.”
The officer observed and said that when any programmes and schemes come, government officers, many a time assumed that ‘it is mine’ by avail the same in their own farm, house and village and give it to family while the rest remain unknown to anyone.
Chishi maintained that instead of showing the way, many tries to hide the schemes and programmes and towards this end, citing some examples from personal experiences, Chishi said except the nodal officer none of the hierarchy knows or are aware of the schemes and programme and the programme ended with him/her when the concerned officer is either transferred or dies.
With no accountability and transparency in the implementation, Chishi asserted that the chain of information should be there, so the people of the state don’t miss out the opportunities, and added that the department is trying its best to clear the lacuna and sorting out on how to best take up all the initiatives ahead so we don’t miss the bus.
Though Nagas are a close-knit society where everyone is related to someone and is apprehensive of hurting feelings, Chishi strongly asserted that should be the ‘bygone words’ is people wants to strive ahead by raking up the officers and the department by questioning and ask for their rights which rightfully belongs to them.
She said people should not be inhibited, apprehensive or scared stating “we are getting paid for our job. We have been provided with so many facilities to help you. It our duty and responsibility to assist and facilitate you” and asked the people to seek for their rights and fight for their rights.
While the government of India’s is introducing many new innovative programmes and ventures to bring about employment, enable a sustainable livelihood and bring development, Chishi also pointed out that entrepreneurs need to move out from the comfort of their homes and be more innovative and creative, which, she said is the need of the hour.
However, the entrepreneurs were reminded that to achieve their goals one need to be motivated, serious, discipline and with strong work ethics as she observed that many doesn’t have the determination for continuity and are ready to give up the moment they are faced with any obstacles.
Chishi also advocated on the need to do away with the gender roles that is prevalent in the Naga society citing an example on the absence of any male sweeper in the civil secretariat. While making it very clear that it is not to confront the Naga traditions and customs, Chishi asserted that it is time to break the barriers to ‘march and move’ ahead along with the rest of the nation.
She has advised the entrepreneurs to take this conflict situation with a very positive attitude and work out on how best to achieve the desire impact.
While observing ‘exorbitant taxation and bribery’ as the main obstacle for any entrepreneur to thrive, Chishi strongly asserted that one shouldn’t be scared to bring it to the notice of the higher ups or bring it to the notice of the right authority of Public Grievance Cell, which is set up in every department.
At the same time, she also cautioned that one should not offer any bribe to any officer to get their work done. She pointed out that it’s time to bring change in the Naga society towards accountability and transparency.
Officially launching the CITE-Nagaland Chapter, Chishi expressed hope that the confederation will not just a name to have another social organisation or to get subsidy, rather it would be result oriented towards promotion of entrepreneurs and bring investors and investment in the state.
While stating confidence that Naga entrepreneurs can do exceedingly well, she was optimistic that they be the ‘movers and shakers of Naga economy’.
Meanwhile, the new CITE-Nagaland Chapter is led by Lima Longkumer as the president. It may be reminded that CITE-Nagaland Chapter under “Start Up India” will provide ‘collateral security’ to entrepreneurs seeking financial assistance to start their businesses.
