Financial crisis in Manipur

Manipur continues to face a serious financial crisis, which has not only led to an economic stagnation in the State, but has also forced the State to adopt stringent measures to the extent of closing down several projects. In the first week of January, the State government closed down the loss-making Manipur State Transport Corporation (MSRTC). Commenting on the move, the Imphal Free Press (6 January) stated in its editorial ‘Welfare Cut’, “We see no reason why the MSRTC cannot be a profitable or at least a self-sustaining undertaking. In the failure of the MSRTC, we also see the abject failure of the government as an enterprise itself.” In another editorial ‘Mission Rescue’, on 9 January 2004, the Imphal Free Press wrote: “The Ibobi government has the opportunity now to enter its name in indelible ink on the pages of the state’s history by making the right moves to turn the sliding economy around. As we have so often said, the state can afford to neglect the private sector only at its peril.”

Debate over Budgetary shortfall in Nagaland

The Congress party in Nagaland demanded inquiry into the allegations of corruption of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government over the alleged misuse of development funds, which has landed the State in a deficit of rupees 60 crores. The Nagaland Post (7 January), reported the leader of opposition in the State Assembly, I Imkong demanding a probe into the factors responsible for the deficit and also alleged an unbudgeted extra expenditure of rupees 78.47 crores, which he said was the amount due to irresponsible expenditure.” The next day, on 8 January 2004, the Nagaland Post carried the statement of the State finance minister, K Therie, who described the opposition leader I Imkong as a “donkey in a tiger’s skin.” Replying to the accusation of misuse of funds the finance minister said “Since rupees 60 crores was an anticipated shortfall in receipts, there was no question of the government misusing the money.”

Performance of Banks in Tripura

Quoting the statement made by State Industries Minister Pabitra Kar, the Tripura Times (1 January), in a lead item said: “The banks do not seem keen enough to provide loans to unemployed youths in the State.” The minister was quoted to have said: “Loans worth rupees 13.37 crores was disbursed to 1989 entrepreneurs in 2002 and in this fiscal year, till November, loans to the tune of rupees 21.57 crores was disbursed to aspirants numbering 3748.”

Looking back at the events that happened in the State in the year 2003, the Tripura Times (1 January) in a front page analysis ‘Twists and turns galore in political arena’, said: “It was a year full of upheavals in the political arena of the State.” It also projected the year 2004 to be one when “political parties will cross swords. Besides Lok Sabha polls, the State government will also have to conduct Panchayat poll too. And even Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) poll may well take place later during the year. This will result in as many as three elections and will be a hectic year for politicians.”

Corruption in Assam

Vernacular media in Assam in the first fortnight of the year carried a number of items on corruption in the State. The Asamiya Pratidin (8 January), in its editorial, ‘Bhrastachar aru Bhrastachar’ (Corruption and Corruption) said: “The entire society is suffering from a virus known as corruption. It has affected all, starting from third grade employee of the government to a senior bureaucrat.” Vernacular daily Aji (7 January) in its editorial commented on the performance of a particular Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Chnadan Sarkar, by labelling him “a great personality with a mask”. The editorial read: “He came into limelight after it was discovered that he had produced a Schedule Caste certificate to qualify for the election. He maintains close ties with the coal mafia. He is a person who is misusing his power for his own interest. A person like him is in the true sense of the term an enemy of the society.”

In another related item, the Asamiya Pratidin (9 January) reported twenty-eight of Assam’s Ministers and MLAs have nexus with the ULFA militants. During the military operations in Bhutan, a Cabinet Minister and another State Minister from Upper Assam had telephonic conversation with the ULFA’s chairman and commander-in-chief. Similarly MLAs from Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts maintain close ties with the UPDS militants.”

Move to curb illegal influx into Meghalaya

Recommendation of the cabinet sub-committee on preventing influx into Meghalaya received prominent coverage in the English as well as vernacular dailies in Meghalaya. English daily, The Shillong Times (7 January ) reported that the sub-committee is in favour of “a three-tier card system in addition to the work permit to check illegal migration to the state shelving up the long-pending demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP).” The Khasi vernacular Mawphor (7 January), in a front-page item quoted the sub-committee chairman Paul Lyngdoh who said: “We are for a three tier card system for people with 1971 as the cut off year.”