The homework to be done
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: November 24 2012 -
Now that the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC)-sponsored indefinite public blockade along all National and State Highways passing through Kuki-inhabited areas has been lifted, public in Manipur would take a deep sigh of relief and carry on with life as if nothing really had ever happened.
They would forget the nights spent in long queue in front of fuel stations to get a few litres of petrol or diesel when the fuel stations open in the morning of the following day, or the haggling they had to engage with unscrupulous shopkeepers over hiking the prices of essential goods at the first wind of an impending bandh or blockade.
This is how the 'complacent' people in Manipur would react after every bandh or blockade.
On the other hand, the State Government too would be patting itself on the shoulder for the 'good work' done in bringing about an 'amicable solution' to prevail upon the agitating parties concerned to call off their bandh or blockade and then it would conveniently brush aside all the 'bold but hasty' measures announced during such bandh or blockade to ensure interrupted supply of essential commodities including fuel to the people until the next round of bandh or blockade imposed by some sundry organizations to press a demand or two.
This is the vicious cycle of life we have lived along without questioning.
When Education Minister Moirangthem Okendro, who is also in charge of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, made an announcement on November 20 to make fuel available to the public round the clock, bandh-blockade wearied people in Manipur got the impression that the State Government may have done necessary home works based on the experience learnt from the similar initiative taken up in the past, but it was wrong.
The phrase '24-hour fuel service' got a new meaning this time with designated fuel stations remaining shut down for not less than 18 hours a day, the main reason cited being fuel stock running out and the lengthy procedure for acquiring fuel from oil depot to replenish the stock.
The State Government should have been farsighted enough to understand that during times of bandh and blockade, everyone would be rushing to the nearest designated fuel stations.
So, along with assuring 24-hour fuel service to the people, special arrangements should be put in place either for allotting more quantity of fuel to the designated fuel stations or for easing the procedure for allotment of fuel at least to the designated fuel stations.
In the absence of any of these two alternatives, announcement for fuel service facilities round the clock is simply ridiculous.
This is what we call doing necessary homework before going to school to avoid getting caned on the knuckle by the teacher.
Being a Minister, who is also in charge of Education, Mr Okendro should know how painful it is to cane on the knuckle.
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