Delhi obsession (November 25)

It is true that the economy of the State is dependant on the salaries of Government employees and the saddest part is successive Governments have failed to address this peculiar characteristic of the economy. In many ways it is not surprising that Manipur needs the monthly salaries to keep trade and commerce and all other economic activities vibrant as the State have literally no known sources of income of its own. 

The fact that the State has to depend on the largesse doled out by New Delhi in the form of grants, loans, waivers and annual budget should have sent our political leaders and policy framers scurrying for alternatives to keep the State at least self reliant if not self sufficient. However experience shows that our political leadership and the State babudom have done precious little to explore ways and means to find resources and generate income for the State. 

This is precisely the reason why the State is today caught in a crisis that appears to have no solution at all. It has been more than a month since the Joint Administration Council of AMTUC and AMGEO launched a cease work strike protesting the cut in their Travel Allowance, House Rent Allowance and other allowances granted to Government employees. 

The Government has more than explained that it is unable to meet the salaries of the Government and hence the need to effect cuts in the allowances of the employees to better the economic health of the State. While both contending sides have their own point, the matter of concern is the fact that functioning of all Government departments have been paralyzed for long.


It is not the case of this column to espouse the cause of either of the two contending sides but what needs to be highlighted is the point that such a situation may not have come to pass if only Manipur had its own sources of income. 

Since Manipur merged into the Indian Union on October 15, 1949, the State has had to depend on New Delhi for all its needs. Right from paying the salaries of the Government employees to repairing the neighborhood road, New Delhi has to be approached for aid. While depending on New Delhi for everything is itself an entirely undesirable aspect, what is even more disgusting is the seeming lack of efforts on the part of the political leadership to fond sources of income. 

And without a doubt the over dependence on New Delhi has led to bigger ramifications not only in the economic field but also in the political and social aspects. In a way it may be stated that the chaotic law and order situation, the mental make up of the people and the lack of political willingness to better the economic lot of the State are all extension of this extreme dependence on New Delhi. 

If Manipur is to move forward something has to be done to do away with the economic dependence on New Delhi. Looking for ways to generate income should be the mantra of the Government. Prolonged dependence on New Delhi will only lead to further stagnation of the people.

(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)

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