The people of Nagaland have elected a new government for the next five years in the recently concluded Nagaland Assembly Election 2023. While many have very low hopes citing the ‘incompetent performance’ of the past governments, others have high hopes and wishes from the new government.
Now, the people expect a corruption-free government with a change in the functioning of the administrative system. The need of the hour is to minimise the unemployment rate in the state as Nagaland has the highest percentage of unemployment rate in the country at 19.2 percent as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report (July 2020-June 2021), released in June 2022.
When asked about employment, the youths responded that the avenues and opportunities are limited. Naga youths outside the state informed that ‘if avenues are provided, we will not go outside the state to look for better opportunities’.
The youths further wished that the newly formed government will function inclusively and provide opportunities to the youths for employment. Another requested the new government to do better for the welfare of the people so that people could acknowledge their performance in the next five years, adding that the state government lacks in bringing transformation as compared to other states in the country.
Meanwhile, a B.Ed trainee stated that he did not expect much from ‘the same old government with their name-tagged portfolios’. He pointed out that the recent issue of the eastern areas is because the government failed to strategise developmental projects in the state equally.
He also added that the bad roadways in those far-off places in the state are the cause of the stagnant education system. Not wanting another ‘political commotion’, he expects the government to focus on transportation and roadways and in the education system.
Stating that the cause of unemployment is the lack of skill-based education in the foundational course of the education system, he stated, “Inclusive Education system and understanding the dignity of labour is the key to employment”.
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Another person stated that 2022 was a year of casualties and difficulties in rural areas due to road conditions.
Each time I read the newspapers, I could see the bad road conditions faced by the people and demanding the contractor or the government to get the work done so I expect the new government to plan and carry out their plans efficiently so that productivity is noticed, he added.
“Government a public servant, not king”
Meanwhile, Imliwapang, a church leader from Kichutip Ward, Mokokchung said, “Honestly, I do not expect anything from them as the government is so corrupted”, adding that most of the public is just crazy for money, drugs and alcohol.
What I expect is that the government be accountable to the Lord and the people as they are public servants, not kings,” he stated.
Limaakum, a student from Clark Theological College, also stated, “With so many educated and like-minded new faces in the new government this time, I expect something positively different than the previous times. I hope the newly elected members will not follow the old traditional ill-political practices we have been observing after every election.”
I really hope and wish that the newly elected members will come to their senses or realise that it is their duty to at least look after the basic necessities of their people and that elected members are to serve the people and not to be served, he concluded.
A leader from a student community hoped for accountability in governance from the new government adding that equal focus, equal development, and equal opportunity to all areas of the state should be prioritised.
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In Wokha, talking to citizens about their views and expectations from the new government, people expected the government to be corruption-free and be an idol for the younger generation and create more employment opportunities.
With history being created for the first time in Nagaland as it elected two women MLAs for the first time, the general public are also expecting much from the female candidate to pave more ways for women empowerment.
The citizens also hoped to witness a stable and clean government despite the same chief minister and deputy chief minister.
Meanwhile, the youths expected more job opportunities not just in the government sector but also in the private sector through entrepreneurship and an all-round development
A first-time voter also hoped that ‘development will bloom’, while another stated that the new leaders will be good enough to bring change and development in their towns and cities.
