Ex-Naga CM Chishi flays Rio, says time to draw lessons from Sri Lanka
Source: Nirendra Dev *

New Delhi, July 24 2022: Former Nagaland Chief Minister and senior politician K L Chishi has lashed out at the Neiphiu Rio-led 'opposition-less government and said the only achievement of this regime has been a combination of gross corruption, nepotism, promoting tribalism and an autocratic style of functioning.

"Nagas deserve equitable fund distribution....."You do not run a welfare state like this.

We find these approaches in olden day's fables of stepmothers making their stepchildren suffer.

People find these insulting and provocative.

It is time to draw lessons from what's going around in countries like Sri Lanka," Chishi said in a telephonic interview.

"Where is peace and solution...Lip service cannot bring these lofty ideals.

If things were so, Nagaland would have been heaven long back.

This dispensation has made things worse.

As a senior politician, one feels pained at heart to see what all is going around," he said.

"There is double whammy....First corruption.

Sanctioned money got into some pockets.

Secondly, then you ill treat people and areas you do not like.

ENPO area (Tuensang-Mon region) is development starved, its share was a modest Rs 11.95 crore from a department and the areas falling under Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Wokha got Rs 9.5 crore" .

"Nagas deserve equitable distribution of funds meant for growth and development irrespective of tribal bias or colour," the former Chief Minister emphasised.

"In 2018 when the NDPP-led government took over there was a grand claim, 'Change is Coming?'...and oh goodness.

If this is change; we should not have it.

Never," he said.

"....for the first time in the history of Nagaland Assembly, a mere 15 minutes was the duration for sessions and of course, that was a great change, and my 'G' is capital here" .

Mr Chishi - under whose ministry CM Rio served as Power Minister in 1990 - said, "Negative and diabolical politics were played.

Funds were pumped in some select districts especially since 2018...As an example, I can tell you, Kiphire and Longleng got zero funds from the Minority Affairs under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) .

Why? Tell me, what is their crime?" .

In contrast, Kohima got Rs 51.5 crore and Chumukedima Rs 45.21 crore, he says.

To a question, the former Chief Minister said, "In 2018 they gave the slogan 'Change is Coming...' and in the process what we have is some mega projects rotting in negligence.

The Nagaland Stadium is one of them.

The Cricket Stadium at Sovima village near CM's house does not look better.

Road communication is at a standstill, health and hospitals remain extremely pitiable" .

To another question, he said, "I would not like to be harsher....But with the High Court complex there is already an investigation.

Law should take its course" .

Chishi, who has handled the portfolio of Finance in the past, also said, "In the list of mis-governance comes the poorest conditions of state finances today despite some good amount coming in from centrally sponsored schemes" .

In corruption and diversion of funds, this government is the worst regime ever in the history of Nagaland" .

Another issue he is concerned about is "unemployment and backdoor appointments with prejudiced jaundiced eyes" .

Answering questions on the peace process, he said, "Some brownie points are claimed here and there.

They are busy stealing media limelight.

What we have is lip service.

They compete in making things worse.

Often ministers and senior leaders contradict each other.

The Chief Minister himself contradicts what he says in May and what he says in June.

Things are in a mess as a result" .

He lamented that all such chaotic things continued unabated in Nagaland when BJP was part of the government.

"At the national level, the BJP claims itself as a model of good governance and probity in public life.

In Nagaland, I am sad to note and stunned that they allowed such peak of mis-governance and miscarriage of justice for the Naga people.

People will hold everyone accountable, such days are not far off" .

Chishi maintained that the worst of the 'sins' committed by the state government is lop-sided development and indiscriminate way of fund allocation.

"People are angry today....I am worried.

People were shell-shocked to find that in some departments, a few districts walked away with Rs 191.7 crore and the rest of Nagaland got Rs 106 crore" .

* The sender of this news can be contacted at nirendev1(AT)gmail(DOT)com .

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