'D' is The Key

‘D’ IS THE KEY


Reasons for NE region of our country being resource rich, little explored, underdeveloped, beautiful but less understood are; Lack of understanding the needs of this innocent region by centre, Lack of timely commitment of developmental funds, Lack of effort to bring this region in the mainstream at physical, social and psychological level e.g. recent example of publishing guide lines for North East Students by police dept of Delhi, distance from main land and vote bank vision of our leaders. On this, regional leaders make political speeches impregnated with words like difficult situation, complex situation and attribute this to lack of security forces, lack of funds etc and disguise their own inadequacies by further saying” we have approached the Centre Government for this”.

Now coming to the crux, as author understands. Two intertwined and interlinked issues of underdevelopment and unemployment need to be addressed by developmental course of action that every one desires. But there are some vested interests that resist developmental activities e.g. even BRO could not undertake road construction in interior of Chhattisgarh due to security reasons as told by H.E. Governor of Chhattisgarh to Asian Defence News. Need to introspect; can a handful of misguided youth hold the state to ransom? To meet our desire (D) we need to decide (D), dedicate (D) and develop (D) the decided course of action. Though a long process, but simultaneous efforts have to be made by leaders, parents, teachers and NGOs to bridge the ethnic, social and economic divide in the society. This can be done by attacking existing Tribalism (ethnic hatreds), Feudalism (unaccountability of leaders, bureaucrats and society), Colonialism (racial/ cast / creed/religious superiorities) and Phoney socialism (satisfaction over token development of the under privileged) that will invigorate the society.

Holistic development encompasses three forms i.e. physical, social & psychological. Physical is a precursor and ally of the other two. Out of myriad activities of physical development there is need to focus on forerunners and feeders to other forms of development. Churchill had said, “It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time”. I feel development of roads in a centrifugal manner will lead to centrifugal (centre to periphery) and centripetal (periphery to centre) progress. Of late, all out efforts are being made towards development of this region in planning, at least. Government of India has launched an ambitious backward region grant fund of Rs 5000/- (Five thousand) crores per year during eleventh 5 year plan (2007-2012). The fund will cover 250 districts (including 24 districts of seven North East State) of 27 states and will be totally grant based. India has total of 604 districts out of which 250 have been identified as most backward i.e. more than 40% of populated India. Mathematically, the plan will grant minimum of Rs 20 Crores to each identified district every year during eleventh plan to surmount its backward features. This is over and above the other developmental funds allotted in the annual budget of the states.

India being a developing country, finances are always at a premium and the Government is always trying to harness the funds in various ways. One thought to add to the planned grant fund is: Firstly, arrive at a political consensus of focused development without barriers; secondly, divide the states into most backward states, backward states & developing states. States need to further categorize the districts in the same manner; thirdly, pool in 60% of local area development fund of MPs, MLAs/MLCs totalling approx Rs 1000 plus crores. This could be proportionately allocated to the districts of the most backward states.

Draw concentric circles of 5 to 10 Km distance from the district HQ of identified district. Start monitored development of quality roads. Then the day is not far, when we shall see new habitation, new means of livelihood and new avenues of development upcoming along these lines of communication. Need to implement this with political responsibility, political will, continuity of political forethought, political commitment, developmental vision and not political vision of vote bank politics. In a discussion organised by CNBC TV 18 channel, Mukesh Ambani of reliance had said “political parties exist because of people and in next 20 years people would want to see performance not just promises ----------- “. To allay the fears of security, department of home will have to be taken on board for requisite measures. In case local vendors are not available, the projects can be implemented under Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) concept. Of course, the aspect of security still rests with home deptt.

Foregoing is ok. With our fragile polity & uncertainty of staying in power, this may seem utopian. But it is not! It will not be out of place to quote an international example here; AKP party in Turkey came back to power with better percentage of votes in 2007 than that of 2002. It is due to policies of paying attention to the needs of poor, encouraging budding entrepreneurs and ensuring equitable share of development reaches all and sundry. The development will change the status of North Eastern states from special status to equal status states with mainland. It will change the mindset of mainland decision makers towards this innocent, fertile, resource laden and vibrant region having power to be feeder to rest of the country in more ways than one. It will prevent the youth falling prey to vested interests for planting bombs or taking to gun culture just because of being poor & unemployed. Remember! “There is a thin line between Hunger & Anger”.

Geoffery
( readers may reach out to author on email;
jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in