Public welfare & Law and order alibi
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: May 24 , 2014 -

Exactly air, water, food and of course healthcare system are the most crucial things essential for life to sustain, but these sectors remain the most neglected and marginalised links in the definition of State’s welfare notion and good governance.

In spite of having two large hospitals viz RIMS and JN Hospital, now JNIMS and a number of PHCs, common mass continue to suffer even for petty things like taking X-ray, Ultra Sound etc, forget about CT Scan and other sophisticated medical equipment.

For all kinds of laboratory tests, starting from simple blood test, we have to go to private centres which entails much higher expenditure.

Sadly, this has become the accepted way of life in Manipur. Everyone knows the condition and problem we encounter in these two hospitals.

On the other hand, there is mushroom growth of private hospitals in the State and common mass are compelled to turn to such private hospitals for treatment at a much higher price tag because of the poor service quality and infrastructure at the Government hospitals.

Strangely we find many Government doctors being employed in private hospitals. Besides health care system, we continue to suffer at the front of drinking water facility.

In spite of the National Project like Swajaldhara and construction of water reservoirs in different parts of the State, common mass have been facing acute shortage of drinking water. Like health care system, water is also informally privatised in the State.

One can have uninterrupted supply of drinking water if you have money and of course there is no drought or drought like situation as witnessed in the State last month and in the beginning of the current month.

Water meant for the common mass is being sold to private tankers and they again sell it to the mass with huge profit. It is no secret that water is being traded openly at the sites of various water supply reservoirs.

Is there any statute which permits such privatisation of public water? Where does the income generated from selling public water go?

Many people suffer from shortage of drinking water not because of unavailability of drinking water but because of lack of sincere effort and mishandling of the problem by the State authority.

The Government might be confronting many more pressing issues. Nonetheless it is equally important and necessary to see that due attention is given to the above mentioned aspects which are absolutely essential for decent living.

In this regards good roads, organised traffic system, systematic supply of drinking water, good health care facility, proper supply of electricity etc are the essential foundations of decent living and are the defining features of a responsible Government.

It is important to acknowledge that these aspects are the crucial sites where legitimacy of any regime is sought and sustained.

It is the responsibility of the Government to provide/deliver the service essential for a good life by chalking out proper mechanism and policy rather than complaining that people are not cooperative and do not pay taxes.

The impact assessment plan for any policy implementation is one crucial step.

Elected representatives are surely neither servants nor masters of the people, therefore they should not forget the meaning and purpose of constituting a Government by the people.

Strangely, public welfare seems to be missing in the jargon of the successive Governments. Yes, law and order is crucial for any organised society. But law and order cannot be everything.

As suggested by massive recruitment of security forces, the Government is excessively obsessed with law and order.

Law and order is just one function of the thousands of functions and duties undoubtedly expected from an elected Government.

Law and order cannot be a permanent excuse for the wretched life the common masses are forced into in the absence of regular power supply and water supply.

The Government should stop fooling the mass with its law and order alibi.