Criticality of Political Class
- The missing element of policy orientation in Manipur -

Amar Yumnam *

Waiting for Godot: The tragedy of Manipur is that growth has not been happening; stagnation has marked the land for quite some time. This tragedy is coupled by another one - the tragedy of people living dangerously; the people of the land are without any force on which they can confidently fall back upon.

The question to be asked and answered now is whether is it possible to leave these tragedies for the autonomous forces - market or otherwise - to take care. Well, if we are to leave the solution in the hands of autonomous forces, it would be a long wait, or perhaps it may never happen. Rather the further prevalence of the tragedies may result in a highly devastating and sustained atmosphere.

The global development experiences through the centuries, and particularly the various turnarounds the formerly laggard countries had shown, tell us that there is an answer to escape from the kind of critical situation Manipur now faces. The answer is to go for change.

This change does not occur in a vacuum, but in a context of policy evolution and institutional reforms. It is only evolution of conscientious policy and institutional reform that would usher any society into a process of change rather than wait for Godot.

The Urgency: The urgency of conscientious policy making in the context of Manipur cannot be overemphasised. Besides the tragedies the State is in right now, we are going to experience the real onslaught of globalisation through our own borders sooner than later. If we are to be benefitted at all by the emerging realities, it is fundamental that we address the tragedies without any loss of time.

While there can be many constraining factors for growth not occurring in the State, the focus on policy an institutions is dictated by the reality that both these are under the control of our own democratically elected government.

While change is fundamental, policy and institutions are fundamental to change. In addition, it is the political class, particularly the elected representatives, which is responsible for the formulation of policies and creation of institutions.

In a situation like Manipur's, the onus on the political class for evolving conscientious policies is all the more.

The Policy Tragedy: The socio-economic tragedies in Manipur mentioned above is, so unfortunately for all of us, accompanied by the tragedy on the policy front, i.e., the failure of the land's political class to orient itself to policy making and institution building.

We are yet to find any instance when this class shows intentions for policy formation and seriously applies the collective mind to it. Look at the various collapses plaguing the land, and the examples of institutional breakdowns thanks to the intervention of the political class are saliently galore.

Look at the orientation to policy formulation of the political class. The political class all along and more so in this socially critical juncture have been indulged in programme implementation while they should be busying themselves to framing policies alive to the realities of the land. The latest example I have in mind is the recent decision of the State's Council of Ministers in connection with the entry of vehicles into the business area of the State capital.

The State's Council of Ministers consist of persons elected through a very expensive democratic process. This expensive procedure is adopted, valued and nurtured because the people expect and the global experience establish the capability of this group of elected leaders to evolve policies commanding the respect and commitment of the general populace. Such policies ensure sustained growth for the societies.

Given the theoretical as well as empirical imperatives, it is expected that the Council of Ministers should have devoted the precious time at its disposal at the, for example, the constitution of a Committee to evolve a Policy for Traffic in the capital of the State.

Rather the Council thought it prudent to deliberate and decide upon the entry or non-entry of vehicles. I rather feel this is absolute wastage of the Council's time. The entry or otherwise of the vehicles into the business area of the capital is something to be governed by a policy for regulation of traffic and not by specific entry or restriction decisions. The Council should devote its time to evolution of policies and systems, instead of indulging in policy-devoid-programme decisions.

The Upshot: The upshot of my intervention is that we are now passing through a very critical period socially. We must recover ourselves from this situation and evolve into a more advance social condition. This advancement needs policy and institutions.

The policies and institutions are to be evolved by the political class of the land. In particular, we expect the State's Council of Ministers to rather busy itself in applying mind to the evolution of policies rather in petty decisions which would be easily covered by broad-based policies.