It's election time, 'CM Da Haisi'
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: October 14, 2021 -

OPPOSITION parties and individual antagonists are certain to suspect the Tuesday's launch of the 'CM Da Haisi' platform as a political stunt but the new initiative by chief minister N Biren to get personally involved in perusing grievances of the citizens suggests that the government is keen to find solution to genuine issues besetting the people.

As reported, the platform would enable the people of Manipur to call up the chief minister for airing their problems and suggestions through the helpline number.

Such an initiative was unheard of in the past for successive chief ministers were seen as inaccessible unless one follows the formalities of seeking prior appointment and hope for affirmative response from the CM's office secretariat to meet the head of the government.

For a change, every citizen of the state can now share their grievances to the CM. Though the chief minister explained during the launch event that the platform aims to make up for the difficulties faced in door-to-door delivery of services under different welfare schemes due to COVID-19 pandemic, it would be hard to convince everybody that the virus factor is the only reason for the new concept but must be driven by the strong urge to fight for the second term in office with minimal fuss.

If at all the pandemic-induced restrictions stalling conduct of the monthly public interaction sessions like 'Meeyamgi Numit', 'Hill Leaders Day', 'Go to Hills' and 'Go to Village' worried the CM then the same initiative could have been launched months back rather than at a time when electioneering has been gaining momentum.

Nevertheless, it is hoped that the new platform introduced to facilitate contact between government and people at grassroots level, encourage people's participation in governance and development of the state would have the intended effect for it is known to all that the state still has vast room for improvement in diverse sectors.

Launch of the platform would be considered a success if the CM or the dedicated team formed to work in 'mission-mode' and record the caller's grievances gracefully endorses both extolments of the government and criticisms against administrative oversight.

Moreover, it is but natural for the detractors to cast aspersion over the launch of the platform, which is basically to facilitate candid telephonic conversation between the chief minister and the public, at the fag end of the government's five-year term, especially so with elections round the corner.

Whether or not launch of the platform is intended to draw political mileage or enhance personal profile, the chief minister has rung out the message that he wouldn't relent from promoting people-centric governance.

The CM's objective to hear public grievances and find prompt solutions also implies that he is not naive that the real challenge will be in living up to the burgeoning expectation of the masses to see the state wriggle out of the dependency syndrome and race towards becoming a self-reliant economy.

Thus, it would be general wish of the people that the government takes steps to address the genuine issues besetting the state, frame viable policies and execute the same judiciously so as to improve the overall socio-economic condition of the populace.