‘Nagaland’s power crunch due to misuse of Article 371 (A)’

February 3, 2024 25 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 3

Nagaland’s lack of power supply or inability to generate more is due to the misuse of Article 371 (A) by the people, stated Engineer-in-Chief of State Department of Power, Er Moa Aier. He mentioned that whenever the department wished to construct a transmission line or a power station within the state, landowners would obstruct the construction of such facilities leading to widespread suffering for the rest of the state.

The official was speaking as the special guest during the Myriad Fest, at Immanuel College, Dimapur on February 2.

He explained that in every given society, people require good roads, water, electricity, education etc. So are we enjoying or suffering from the present conditions of living? he asked the gathering.

For its intended purpose, Article 371 (A) was originally supposed to protect us, our way of life, customs, land and religion from predatory external forces and against exploitation, he said. However, the people are instead misusing the privileges provided by the act and suffering its consequences.

While the public constantly complain about power cuts, especially during summer, he exclaimed, “Can we just generate or transmit power out of thin air?”

In addition to this problem, he said that society is currently suffering under deplorable roads and water scarcity every day, especially in the hills. We suffer breakdown of law and order, suffer poor public facilities.

In regard to water scarcity especially in the state capital Kohima he noted that it was a man-made issue as there is plenty of water sources nearby.

So we need to become a little wiser, think critically, question ourselves and then take clear steps forward, he said.

He also urged the students, as the generation to lead the society of tomorrow, to ponder and discuss over this serious matter.

In other aspects, he reminded them of the need to understand the reasons behind getting a college degree and not just pursue it simply for a mere certificate. “We cannot be wasting our time and life, by the time of our Bachelor’s we should be knowing what we will be doing with our lives.”