Governor BD Mishra recently while addressing a public programme in Dirang in West Kameng district urged the government officials to maintain transparency and accountability while implementing developmental projects. However, the state government seems to be doing just the opposite of what the governor is appealing for. Just like the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre, which works in secrecy, the Pema Khandu-led government is also following a similar pattern. Whether it be journalists, opposition parties or ordinary citizens, it is a Herculean task to gather information from the government.
The ministers are reluctant to share information, and so are the babus. It seems there is a certain fear which stops them from doing so. It would be better if these people listen to the advice of the governor and maintain transparency. In a democratic setup like ours, it is a crime to deny information to the citizens. The people have the right to know what the government is upto and whether their policies will benefit them. The lack of transparency creates doubts in the minds of the citizens, and that’s when the trouble starts. A transparent government has nothing to fear and will win the hearts of the citizens.