If one is an MLA, (people’s representative), one should be able to work for improvement of roads in his constituency. If you cannot work for betterment of the roads even in your alley, you cease to be chum of even your own voters. The elections held last year had shown the exit of people’s representatives rejected by the voters for neglecting development work in their own constituencies. Suspension bar of old vehicles broke down and engine oil leaked on the road in driving along the roads in Imphal. If these representatives cannot think for betterment of roads in their constituencies who will come down and speak on their behalf. They cannot remain confined in the drawing room sitting on the cosy sofa. Hear the voice of the masses and inspect the roads, which are filled with potholes. They must know the road is their face. When the vehicles jerked on the road invective adjectives come out naturally from the mouth of commuters. To become
a representative they could stoop too low and after getting what they want they have forgotten to see the condition of roads, locals complained. Ministers are different, they are preoccupied with other activities like rummaging through files and attending offices. But MLAs do not have office, they must have lots of time to hear the voice of the masses and convey it to the officials concerned to bring developmental programmes in their respective constituencies. Unfortunately people’s representatives are playing secondary role to the bureaucrats. This is called suppression of people’s sovereignty. Simple and common heave delightment on seeing their representatives walking tall with head held high. On the contrary even and AE refuses to oblige request or order made by people’s representatives. There had been instances of an SI confronting with an MLA. Then a Minister was challenged by an army officer. These were ominous scenes,
something that must not happen in a democratic country. Our representatives have been given immense privileges that need to be protected. The entire people will come out in support of their representatives but it so happened the representatives themselves were left to defend themselves. Perhaps the failure to take up welfare programmes had alienated the representatives from the masses. There should be closer relationship between the people and the representatives. That can be achieved by taking up welfare programmes for the masses that include proper maintenance of roads and bridges. Some of the roads or alleys that require immediate attention of the concerned department are the road connecting Sagolband main road and the bridge constructed over Nambul river, which is a very short one around 100 meter stretch. The other main road, which is filled with pot holes is the road from Iroishemba on Uripok stretching up to Kangchup hill. Then there is Tera Lukram Leirak, which is also in the worst form. It seems there is no representative, who can speak for the betterment of these roads. Pay attention to these roads and make it a usable one. Construction season cannot be wasted without doing anything. Newspapers will have enough space if someone comes out and speak for the betterment of roads and bridges in Manipur. Utilise the opportunity.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/the-true-duty-of-peoples-representatives/
