Empowering citizens: There should be a toll free grievance cell
- Imphal Times Editorial :: September 13 2019 -

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh appealed to the people of Manipur to act like the public of Bihar state where they fine a policeman for not wearing helmet while riding his motor bike is a clear indication of realizing the need for empowering of citizens to make sure that laws are being respected by all irrespective of their position.

Yes, the recently passed Motor Vehicle Act, 2018 which has been declared to enforce across the country may have received some criticism, but the idea of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to make all citizen participate in making the law – a success is perhaps an important turning point of his government.

Not only the newly enacted Motor Vehicle Act but also all laws of the country need to be properly implemented and for that empowering the citizens and making them a part to the enforcement of any legislation is the need of the hour.

The quantum of awareness level among the public about the various laws of the state is the only key to run good governance.

Motive of the Chief Minister needs to be applauded but what is more important is to design a modus operandi of how to make sure that those public who participate in the making of the law implied to all citizens including law enforcers are also protected.

This is being stated as people fear not the law but the enforcers who can play the law. So when it is the law enforcers that the public fear how could one think of punishing a law enforcers that violated the law.

This write up is not criticism to what Chief Minister had announced yesterday, but an attempt to draw his attention of working out a plan if he is committed to what he had stated.

Since N. Biren Singh became the Chief Minister of Manipur he had announced so many good things for the welfare and for eradication of poverty and to wipe out corruption.

He had introduced the CMHT to make sure that all poor received equal treatment with those of rich people at hospitals.

He had announced housing loan for those who cannot bear to build a house of their own.

One of the most appreciated works that the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had initiated was the opening of the “Anti Corruption Cell”.

Yesterday’s announcement for citizen’s participation to make sure that the Motor Vehicle Act 2019 is properly implemented is also a laudable effort.

But then people are skeptical as such announcement turns out to get applause only.

This is being speculated as almost most initiative taken up by the Chief Minister turns out to be just an initiative or announcement to make the people happy which was never turn into action effectively.

Well, with the emergence of the dissident BJP MLAs including some who are holding important portfolio in the Biren Singh led government, people now understand – why the good initiative of the government taken up under the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh fails to work many a time.

The answer is simple – No Ministers or BJP MLAs who are supposed to support the good work never cooperate him.

Imphal Times did not speculate it , but the rebellion by BJP MLAs and some Ministers to replace him in mid-term is a clear circumstantial evidence.

Even today some BJP MLAs are working whole heartedly to pull down N. Biren Singh from the post of Chief Minister and this also indicated that the good work of Chief Minister may be sabotaged by his team just to defame him.

The citizen of the state knows but in politics only the powerless become the victim and people will never wanted them to become victim.

Point wanted to bring here is the if the Chief Minister is committed to make sure that people are empowered to protect the law then there should be a grievance cell directly supervise be the chief minister himself and that the identity of the complainant against the VIPs, VVIPs and the law enforcers for kept secret.