An Interview With Manishankar Aiyar

government doing to upgrade the sports facility in the state?

Mani: Well, we already have a major Sports Authority Centre in Imphal. We are very conscious of Manipur’s role and within the limitation of security in the state a great deal is being done to promote sports. The funds allocated to sports in Manipur are more on per capita basis than anywhere else in the northeast.

Being a Minister for DONER as well as for Ministry for Panchayati raj, what do you think of the ongoing agitation in view of the upcoming Panchayat elections in Assam?

Mani: I am not the minister in charge of law and order. I can only say that it would be in the interest of everybody to participate in a critical democratic exercise which will affect the lives of millions of people in their immediate neighbourhood. However, under our constitution election can’t be made compulsory, so one can only hope that the people will participate in building their own future.

How is Pachayati Raj system going to aid in development of the region?

Mani: Panchayati raj is the crux of development measures in north east. is participatory governance. The majority of the population is covered by Panchayati raj. Sikkim is amongst the best states for Panchayati raj as a whole. I also commend the government of Assam for having one of the best activity maps, which is the essence of Panchayati raj. The progress of Arunachal Pradesh is not as satisfactory on paper but they have assured me of prompt and efficient implementation of plans. Furthermore, Tripura has made enormous strides in Panchayati raj in areas it is applicable. Moving towards Manipur, on paper the system is excellent, though it is confined to the valley. Unfortunately in the hilly areas the autonomous district council mandated by state law has not yet been set up. Other form of local government that has been prescribed for different parts in Bodoland includes Bodoland territorial council. Meghalaya is completely exempt from having a local government but is declared as a sixth schedule area. We have to work through those models while (they) need to recognise the village councils, brought into existence for increasing role in developmental planning and implementation.

Mizoram is entirely covered by the sixth schedule. I am particularly inspired by the Naga example of setting up village councils. Nagaland under its system of communitisation , has the best system of participatory government than any other state in India, even though it is not a part of the Panchayati raj system. Summing it up, the institution of local government is well established in the northeast, the question is one of empowering them and mobilising them. Here the record is uneven but the V Ramachandran committee has just reported to me on grass root planning in sixth schedule and other areas that are not covered by Part 9 and part 9 (A) of the constitution. On that basis, we can make a considerable progress.

Any message for the people of northeast and Indian populace in general on the northeast region as such.

Mani: Yes, I would like to say that the two words ‘alienation’ and ‘neglect’ often used for north east have become completely obsolete. The government has pledged to spend 10 per cent of GBS in a region that comprises only 4 per cent of the population. Genuine affirmative actions are being undertaken. How can one talk about alienation when the Delhi University is flooded with students from NE. Infact, 20 per cent of the total workforce in the Bangalore IT sector are from north east. I fail to see any alienation. The old days of negligence are completely behind us and it’s time we look forward to an era of emotional integration of NE with the rest of India.

For more news and articles from India visit www.headlinesindia.com

Pages: 1 2 3