The ardent appeal by the chief minister to all concern authorities to implement the Food Security Act in the state in an efficient and transparent manner rings so true and earnest. As always, the verbiage is one which raise hopes and paints a picture of fairness and positivity, especially at a time when the state is reeling under the vagaries of nature, with many of the places battling the storms, hails and the lightning strikes, not to mention the barely suppressed loathsome anticipation of a possible tremor as predicted by the experts. The Act, like so many before, should be hailed as a remarkable turn of events for the millions of citizens surviving at a subsistence level, with neither the means nor the hope of any improvement in their lives as their immediate and sole concern is the next meal. It is nothing short of a force multiplier for a state where a majority of the residents are still engaged in farming and allied agricultural activities in that the efforts and precious resources including the increasingly limited available arable land which was utilized for cultivation of paddy until now can henceforth be used for cultivation of more profitable cash crops thus opening up opportunities and avenues for financial and social improvement. The act, if delivered as promised, will also embolden the people of the state to attempt newer and innovative ideas of earning thus promoting the growth of entrepreneurship and innovative thinking. There still is, despite the ruckus and brouhaha over the implementation of the much anticipated act, a lingering doubt on the minds of the public over the proper implementation of such a beneficial and empowering act. For one, the public have not been able to repose their trust and confidence on the state government till now, for obvious reasons, and some more of the not-so obvious ones as well. The most recent incident reinforcing the hesitation of the public towards the much touted activities and achievements of the state government is the crumbling plaque at the Khongjom war memorial complex which depict the historic and memorable event just three days after inauguration by none other than the President of the country. While the irony is not lost on anybody, the state government, instead of moving heaven and earth to find the one or ones responsible as the case may be and handing out due punitive measures, chose to go one up by ignoring the crass negligence and trying to divert attention on the launching function of the Food Security Act. That the launching of the very act is subtly yet distinctly portrayed as an achievement in itself speaks volumes of the practiced theatrics and polished deception honed over the last three terms of governance and administration. While the chief minister and his deputy might very well be earnestly striving for progress and development of the state through the various beneficial schemes and acts, the undeniable fact remains that almost all of these have turned out to be a fracas for the implementing authorities and officials for the highest personal cut, rendering such schemes and acts an exercise in futility for the common man. In all probability, a stricter and consistent monitoring of the methods of implementation would ensure desired results.
