Time to clean-up

Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has highlighted key issues that are crucial for the growth and progress of Dimapur, the state’s economic hub and most diverse urban centre. In a recent statement, NCD obliquely touched on the comments from the Dimapur District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) on one side, with a response from the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) on the other. At the heart of the matter is price control-an issue that extends beyond Dimapur, as goods passing through the city affect prices across Nagaland. Effective price control requires collaboration between the business community and the DMC and not about who calls the shots. As the market prices have been hiked artificially both business/ traders and DMC have to ensure fair pricing for consumers. For years, the NCD, ACAUT, and various Public Action Committees (PACs) have raised concerns about unchecked and illegal taxation beginning from check gates to shops within the city. These taxes-whether collected under pressure by political groups, government agencies, unions, or syndicates- collectively effect a huge burden which retailers are compelled to pass it down to the end users. The problem is not just about tolls, parking fees, or sanitation taxes; it’s about unjust levies disguised as legitimate collections. Fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and every item are caught in this web of syndicate control, resulting in skyrocketing prices. Traders, squeezed by these demands, pass the burden on to consumers. These syndicates often formed with political backing, are throttling the market. The high prices aside, even quality of items are compromised and there’s nothing the buyer can do. As a result, many residents now travel to nearby towns like Khatkhati or Lahorijan, where prices are significantly lower. Another issue that needs urgent attention is the abnormal ratio of employees within the DMC as raised by NCD. This has been commented upon in several issues during the recent decades in this column. The imbalance in its workforce- where administrative staff or essential workers is evident. As per the NCD, the current ratio of administrators to cleaners stands at 4:1. What Dimapur needs is not more clerical staff but effective waste management personnel to keep the city clean. A cleaner city requires more boots on the ground, not more “babus and babunis” behind desks. However, the other side is public responsibility in maintaining a clean environment. Meanwhile, rampant taxation/ fees and syndicate control continue to suffocate Dimapur’s economy. It’s a put-off for potential investors but an avenue for those offering protection money. The city is struggling under the weight of these burdens, and without decisive action, the city is certainly on a downhill. In Nagaland, politics often infiltrates every sphere, including local governance, rendering administrative functions susceptible to political or powerful vested interests. The general public’s needs are sidelined as the issue revolves around money and power. Nevertheless, it’s time for the state authorities to be clear about how Urban Local Bodies operate. It may be worthwhile to suggest that organizing regular and meaningful workshops and excursions for ULBs to enlighten about the roles and responsibilities could be a good starting point for meaningful reform. Everybody agrees that it’s time to confront the root of the problem and do something but the age-old adage: Who will bell the cat?- resonates louder than ever.