[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ar from the inexplicable bandh call by the Foothill Road Committee imposed in all places in Dimapur, a far greater debate that is going to engulf all of our lives is reverberating across the country. Nagaland is no exception. The issue of uncontrolled inflation.
Five weeks after the BJP-led NDA government coupled with the failed monsoon signals a gathering storm over the nation. While the BJP led government have been cautious to put the right foot forward in sprucing up the business of governance and projecting an image of a crisp, no nonsense cabinet by redefining the size of the cabinet as well as rendering obsolete several ‘departments’ or appointments such as the abolishing of all ministerial groups a legacy of UPA rule ... it has not addressed the single most important factor that saw the BJP catapulted into the position it is today .. of a secure number to govern the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi abolished all the 30 GoMs and EGoMs on May 27 one day after he took oath of office and told ministries and departments to take decisions on pending matters.Announcing the decision to scrap nine empowered groups of ministers and 21 groups of ministers, the PMO said this would expedite the process of decision-making and “usher in greater accountability in the system”.
It said wherever the ministries face difficulties, the Cabinet secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office will facilitate the decision-making process. Former defence minister AK Antony was heading most of the EGoMs. The panels were formed to take decisions on issues like corruption, interstate water disputes, administrative reforms and gas and telecom pricing.
EGoMs had the power to take decisions on the line of the Union Cabinet. The recommendations of the GoMs were placed before the Cabinet for a final call.While all these changes have been brought about with expectations of better governance what has not been tackled is the electoral promise to fight “inflation”.
Questions are being raised as to how much political will the NDA will exercise with the looming escalating prices of onions? After all hoarding of such items leading to the artificial escalation of prices are controlled by traders, the true vote bank of the BJP! Is there a collision between retailers and suppliers?
What must be remembered is that the shelf life of such items is short as they contain 90% moisture and 20% dryness.
The government has several options in its hand if its serious in arresting the artificial inflation ...one such option is the enactment of the Essential Commodities Act.
The previous Congress led UPA Congress government failed to ensure this was implemented in letter and spirit but State governments also need to get pro active and clamp down on hoarders in their respective states.
The humble onion is poised once again to bring a government on its knees with tears in its eyes, an experience that is unlikely to be forgotten, especially by the BJP
