A domino effect has triggered demand for new districts since 2009 and it’s been long 7 years, but there seems no end to it. The demands per se are not a problem but the dominant narrative that belies the merit is worrisome. 

What’s happening is that, more than the administrative necessity such demands are more of political compulsion in nature and have sub-texts of muscle flexing. 

Also, it’s a game of perception that these political leader are caught up with. Faster you get it approved by the government, more powerful the leader is perceived to be in the corridor of power.  It is read as directly proportionate to the clout that the political dispensation wields. 

Primarily, the merit of the cases is reduced to back burner and is never debated. 

 This is where one tends to get worried about the merit of district creation. 

Over the past several years, we have witnessed the never ending deadlock over the creation of Lower Siang district in Galo belt and now the ongoing tussle over its headquarters issue. Such similar muscle flexing has led to deadlock in creation of district headquarters of Siang district in Adi belt. 

Given the geographical spread of the Galo dominant area within West Siang, there is scope to create two more districts, purely on administrative requirements but it is a sad tale to re-narrate that worst affected areas covering the foot-hill areas bordering Assam is yet to get its due despite repeated pleas from the public and promises from successive political dispensations. 

However, going by the past and present statistics, announcing new districts and its headquarters might not have desired impact on administration. First, the state exchequer doesn’t have enough resources to fund infrastructure and secondly, the government officials stay away from place of postings for want of facilities; thus rendering it futile.

Ditto is the situation for the newly announced ADC and EAC headquarters where officers are hardly to be seen in the office. Rather, the commoners have to trudge to the same old headquarters and look out for their private accommodations which are much harder tasks. 

 “Administration at door-step” is turning out to be a mirage.

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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