Wednesday, March 27, 2019

DNT pledges fulfilled / unfulfilled.

The media and the Opposition disputes the DNT Party  formed  Cabinet claim on pledges fulfilled in 120 days. And allegations of lying flies back and forth. 

It would be unhealthy to accuse each other of lying. All parties:  the cabinet, the opposition and media are using their own measuring yardstick to arrive at respective conclusions.

In an election campaign, rhetorics do form at times the main entrees to attract the attention of the voters. It would be unrealistic to achieve pledges in substantive form or in entirety within the first 120 days. Thus the need for 5 years term.  So steps taken in the pledged direction need to be recognised and given credence as what can be realistically achieved within 120 days.

I would, however, caution the DNT Cabinet of making the RMA governor the lead "Prime Minister "  in fulfilling the DNT Party campaign pledges. How many Commissions and Committees is the Governor going to chair ? It is not to question the ability of the Governor but an elected PM has got to literally take over the reign of governance. A substitute in any form of disguise is a betrayal of public trust.  Also refrain from nominating same old members in different commissions and committees. Such tendencies do not give room to think out of predetermined  boxes and slows down output due to time constraints. 

I do not mean that the PM must chair Commissions and Committees. Other politicians and civil servants could be tasked.  It is not right to use the Governor of Royal Monetary Authority to direct/ initiate/ formulate or oversee the fulfilling of political pledges of a Political Party. The government should not be running RMA and RMA Governor should not be chairing Governnent pledge Commissions and Committees. The two institutions have different constitutional responsibilities. This over lapping of functions is political heretic in nature.

Further, a PM who is  preoccupied with every Friday Press Shows and dealing with the falloffs on  other week days and every Saturday Hospital Show just cannot be substantially devoting the required time and energy in running the affairs of the State. Thus the need of what appears to be a pseudo leadership from elsewhere such as RMA governor who was not elected to lead the nation but appointed as CEO of RMA.

In regards to pledges, I feel the government is doing alright. Sure most of the pledges are not fulfilled in 120 days. But then how many voters would have seriously believed the election campaign rhetorics of 120 days time period when they were well aware that the Party they vote to power will be there for 5 years. It would be realistic to equate political pledge to a loan that needs to be repaid over a time period. And the 1st instalment to be paid within 120 days.

The Opposition Party naturally has the right to question and dispute every claim of the government especially on pledges. However, here the media, too, has adopted the same political  wolf attitude. Media must present both sides of the coin. Still I thank the media for exercising a mind of its own.

I, personally,  appreciate the Cabinet for funding the higher studies of 4225 students despite my take that the decision does bye pass the constitutionally set limit. The decision served a greater purpose of providing equal opportunity in higher education. And I look forward to the Cabinet implementing the " Mother& Child Care " policy of 6 months state subsidy  from the month of August as so informed by the Health Minister. And I am sure all civil servants are looking forward to a real  decent pay raise at the earliest.  

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