The arrival of the biggest festival of the people of the State has made people express anguish with the inconveniences caused by the so-called development activities in the only 'city' here. In fact, the lingering and delays in executing these activities call for detailed examination as to what could be the reasons for such.

One theory and one empiric: Here I am reminded of what used to be a dominant thinking in economic growth theory until about the mid-1980s. It was thought in growth theory that government policies may have effect on the level of income but could never have any permanent effect on the rate of growth.

This theory was not converging with the differing growth rates in different countries of the world and for extended periods. Well ultimately this theory has now been replaced by a new theory more in agreement with the empirics prevailing around the globe. Now economists increasingly search and talk about appropriate policies keeping in mind the contextual realities of each place. Even market orientation is now a conscious policy.

I was wondering if the non-performance and non-deliverance of the government in every sector in Manipur was because of a conviction of the long-run ineffectiveness of the government.

Well, I am afraid it may not be, for assuming the State government to be aware of the now-displaced growth theory would be a little far-fetched. Further, even if we assume the unlikely case of their awareness of it, it is time they be aware of how it has now been replaced by a more realistic theory.

Another theory I was wondering if it could explain the behaviour of the State government is if it ever were betting on the theory of the Big Push. Well this theory has now been revived in a new avatar.

So may be the State Government is now acting on presumably many development activities with the goal of giving a forward push to the economy of the State. But this again is a very unlikely situation. The Big Push theory assumes the Government working with utmost sincerity and devotion to perform and deliver on all the fronts it has undertaken.

It does allow for the possibility of failure in some areas. Nevertheless, successes would dominate over the failures, and even the failures would be lessons for future success.

Now given the non-performance and non-delivery of the State Government in whatever it has undertaken implies that it is not following this theory either.

So practically we have a State government working without any theory behind its actions, and pursuing a blind date. So we are citizens under a government working with a vacuum mind. I am reminded of a joke whereby the child was given milk by her mother on her return from the school to get over the pains caused by an empty stomach.

So the child recommends putting something into the empty head when her father returns with a headache from his office. May be this story was discovered with the government of Manipur in mind.

There is another possible explanation based on the corruption prevailing in the developing countries of the world in so far as construction activities are concerned. Some interesting studies have just come out on the relationship between corruption and construction activities in the developing countries, particularly in Africa; Manipur should rather be compared with the African situation than with anywhere else.

It has been found that the scope for corruption is the highest in the construction sector in these countries. So what the administration does in these countries is allowing the structures and amenities to deteriorate as much as possible so that no alternative is left but to reconstruct.

Further delay the progress in the very construction activities themselves so that the self-beneficial corruption activities could last longer than possible. If we try to posit the African empirics against the Manipur situation, there is not much explanation needed.

My fear: My own explanation and fear for the non-performance and non-delivery is quite scary, for I am afraid if there is a design to finish the people of the land. One of the strongest explanations of the present unrest in Manipur is that the aspirations of the youths have not been met.

Now as the effect of the continuous non-performance and non-delivery of the Government disastrous manifestations have started showing their face. First, the expectations of the people in the State are at their lowest ebb.

Secondly, people have now started accepting the non-performance of the government as normal. Here we have a perfect strategy to finish a society for all time to come.