PM's offer to ultras

In winding up the debate on the motion of thanks on the President's address to the joint session of both the Houses of Parliament on March 10, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee informed the Rajya Sabha, and through it to all concerned, that the Centre was willing to hold negotiations with the ultra outfits of the North-East. This was not for the first time that the Prime Minister had made the offer to the militant groups in the region to remove their grievances through mutual discussion; on several occasions his predecessors too had made such offers, but there has been no positive response from the militant outfits.

However, Prime Minister Vajpayee like his predecessors unequivocally stated that any solution to their problems must be within the framework of the Indian Constitution. Non-official enthusiasts for a satisfactory settlement of the grievances of the ultras may perhaps term the Prime Minister's offer as conditional, but these quarters should understand that no government worth the name can afford to seek settlement of the ultras' demand bypassing the perimetre of the Constitution which, in that case would tantamount to breach of the sovereignty of the nation. But the secessionists may if they so desire, suggest any venture for talks even outside India, and their security and related matters including suspension of operations against them for a reasonably short limited period like that in Nagaland may be considered.

Certainly, the objectives of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and other militant elements in NE are plainly secessionist because they feel that the Centre has exploited the region like the erstwhile colonial power though there is variation in their struggles against the Government of India.

However, time is now ripe for the ultras to see the writing on the wall and realise that killings, extortions and like activities will lead them nowhere. In fact, they have lost over the last two or three years popular support as reflected in the mass rallies held by various organisations particularly in Assam urging the militant groups to give up the gun culture and to come to a satisfactory settlement through negotiations.

They would be well-advised to take their cue from the Mizo National Front leader, Laldenga, who had carried on for two decades rebellious activities like the Naga rebel leader A. Z. Phizo, but after two decades he realised the futility of such activities and came to a negotiated settlement of the Mizo problem —— significantly, his followers today are taking part in the political process of Mizoram as part and percel of the Indian Republic. Particularly, the ULFA leadership in Assam can set the example for other militant organisations in the North-East region by responding to the call of the Prime Minister and choose the democratic method to serve the Assamese people for whom they have a genuine desire to serve.

So also the Bodo militants can give up all manner of violence. In their case, however, a fact to remember is to ensure that they are not guided by any outside agencies like foreign missioneries as in the case of the Nagas. The recent case of Father Thomas D Silva's abduction by an Adivasi militant group on November 16 last from Horkum in Dhubri district and his subsequent release after the church authority promised schools and a hospital for the benefit of the Adivasis speaks more than meets the eye. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary that the ultras in NE free themselves from foreign influences and assistance like shelter and funds and sit with the Government of India and negotiate for redressal of their grievances subject to the fundamental question of maintaining the country's sovereignty.
                                                                                                                   

The Assam Tribune

Assam's plan allocation

Assam's Annual Plan allocation for the year 1999-2000 has been fixed at Rs. 1,750 crore against the State's demand for Rs. 2,235 crore. This has shown an increase of six per cent over the plan outlay of Rs. 1,650 crore for 1998-99. On the face of it, next year's allocation cannot be termed as disappointing if the Central assistance component in the State plan resources is taken into consideration, but then in view of the fact that the expenditure on each and every item of development projects has been on the increase from year to year, the allocation cannot be as satisfactory; in fact, the State demand was quite moderate and should have received the approval of the Deputy Chairman K.C. Pant with whom Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta had full discussion. However, one heartening feature is that the Centre has created a non-lapsable fund for bridging the infrastructural gaps in the North-Eastern region which should be able to improve the infrastructural facilities. But the crux of the situation in Assam is that the natural calamities like floods, erosion besides insurgency related expenditures in the State have been a perennial problem requiring unforeseen expenditures. And what is a matter of anxiety for the State Government is the Centre's hesitation to release funds from the calamities head and also inordinate delay in assistance to meet the huge expenditure incurred to meet the insurgency situation though in the case of Punjab the Centre was quick to accept the demands from the Punjab Government.

While the Assam Government has valid reason for discriminatory treatment in respect of financial assistance from the Centre towards meeting the continuing expenditures both in connection with natural calamities and the insurgency problem, the Assam Government on its part has the responsibility to ensure that whatever financial allotment is made for the Annual Plan is expended judiciously without diverting them to other purposes. As Chief Minister Mahanta himself explained, Assam has little or no scope to mobilise its own resources for various reasons particularly due to a setback to industrial growth, besides, the balance of current revenue for the State has remained negative for several years. Thus, the question of exploring avenues for new taxations does not arise at the moment. As against this, the unemployment problem has been on the increase with the demands from the Government employees and those in semi-government institutions for enhanced salaries in terms of the Central Pay Commission. All these have added to the financial burden of the State Government.

These problems notwithstanding, the State has to ensure that the limited funds received from the Centre under the Annual Plan are properly utilised. No wonder, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission has asked the Chief Minister not to divert funds earmarked for specific projects and programmes to other purposes....

The Assam Tribune