The Political life of the State
Kohima, 30th July 2020
It is understood that the Nagaland Government received a reminder letter from the Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland on 24th June 2020, regarding signing of a format by the Government employees to declare whether any of their family members or relatives are in the Underground Organizations.
The matter was taken up by the State Cabinet on 3rd July 2020 under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister and approved it. Accordingly, the Chief Secretary had issued an O.M on 7th July 2020 in which all Government Employees were directed to sign a format declaring if any of their family members or relatives is in the Underground Organizations.
On 22nd July 2020, the NSCN (IM) as well NNPGs reacted sharply to this O.M. The next day, the Nagaland Government, which was said to have been through the report of its DIPR department, has said that it was done at the behest of the Raj Bhavan.
Without going into the merits and demerits of the case, it is necessary to let our people know some procedural matters in the Parliamentary system of Government. Cabinet Memoranda are normally prepared based on any urgent matter which requires the decision of the Government; it can also be prepared based on any proposal or suggestion on public importance given by others/individuals. When Cabinet meeting is convened, these memoranda are put up to the Cabinet for its decision.
All Cabinet meetings are normally chaired by the Chief Minister. Any Cabinet memorandum, when taken up, requires serious study of the subject matter by all its Cabinet Ministers. After thorough deliberations, the Cabinet will give its decision in the best way they deemed it proper, and that becomes the decision of the Government.
Suggestions, proposals or memoranda can come from any quarter but the Cabinet, which is the final authority, can either take up or reject such proposal, suggestion or memorandum. If any of its decision does not fall in line with the wishes of certain sections of people, the Cabinet still remains the final authority to either withdraw or revoke its own decision.
But while implementing their own decision on the one hand and shifting the blame to others on the other hand is a very serious procedural lapse. By all means of explanations, the Government alone is fully responsible for all its Cabinet decisions.
But if they do so, that Government becomes an irresponsible Government because of shifting their responsibility to others for their own creation. If a Government becomes irresponsible, there are also conventional provision for the Constitutional head of the State to recommend the matter to the Central Government for its decision.
Any Government, trying to shift the blame to others for its own decision is an act of demonstrating the decaying type of political life of the State and it is unfortunate that such action has gone into the record of the Nagaland State Parliamentary history during our time. This is, indeed, a clear departure from the normal track of perennial Parliamentary system of Government in a country which is known as the largest democracy in the World.
(Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu)
President,
Naga People’s Front.
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by NPF Bureau who can be contacted at npfpressbureau(AT)rediffmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on 31 July 2020
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