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For A Few Dollars More
Downsizing, right sizing, overdraft, RBI ban, resource mobilization drive and-yes MoUs have become the most 'fashionable' vocabularies in recent years and even as the Congress led SPF Government is all set to take up afresh the move initiated by the then People's Front Government under Radhabinod Koijam to downsize the volume of employees in all Government Departments, barring the Police Department and Jail, there are bound to be reverberations not only from those directly affected but from all section of the people.
Remember there are interim orders from the Court restraining the Government from ousting those who are in service. Whatever the ultimate outcome, it goes without saying that the downsizing decision of the Government has to be seen not only in the light of the acute financial crisis ripping the State since the last few years but also other factors if a clear cut picture of the 'unsavory development' is to be seen.
We are not only talking about bettering the economy of the State but also the fate and future of about 14,000 employees who stand in the line of the downsizing fire. No doubt these are hard times and hard times certainly call for tough decisions but the time is now long over due to study why such a situation had to come about in the first place itself.
We know the Government is the biggest recruiting agency in the State and this is not surprising given the fact that there are no industrial houses worth the name that can provide employment avenues to the thousands of educated youths churned out by various universities year after year. We again think that this is the opportune moment to ask why there is this mindset prevailing amongst the general population that a job should mean a Government job.
To many the fixation with Government jobs will remain as it means-a cushy job offering myriad allowances, post retirement benefits, job security and yes one can collect one's pay check every month never mind the question whether one has contributed anything to the functioning of the Government or not. This rosy picture will certainly sound tempting to all but unfortunately the bitter truth is the Government can no longer absorb fresh employees and the harsher fact is, it is already bursting at its seam with excess adipose.
It is precisely this obsession with Government jobs and the non performance of all the Government departments that has led to the present situation. However much our sympathy lies with those who stand to be affected by the downsizing move, we cannot help but observe that the excess luggage need to be shed if the State is to move forward. If government departments and by this we mean all the employees, especially those who are not affected by the downsizing policy, had performed their duties with the diligence required of their position and if their inputs were in direct proportion to the privileges and remunerations they receive from the State exchequer then such a situation may not have developed at all.
A corrupt political establishment has also not helped and only made things worse. It is public knowledge that many appointments have been effected in various departments where there was just no need at all by the political bosses 'for a few dollars more'. The price that we are paying today is because over the years we have developed a system where governance has come to mean pleasing the political classes and Government servants.
Where do we go from here? Should the Government keep trimming its flab to bring the economy of the State on the right track or should there be a multi pronged strategy not only to right the fiscal health but also to provide employment opportunities to the deserving ones?
It would do the image of the Chief Minister of Manipur a whole lot of good if he shows some initiative and demonstrate to the people that the Government's hand is not only-wielding a scissor, but also extending a helping hand to all concerned. In terminating the services of the excess employees, if it comes about, Chief Minister 0 Ibobi should not forget that the Government he is heading is also a Welfare Government.
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)
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