GUWAHATI, April 24 - Raising concern at the stalled pace of work in the State for a prolonged period after the State Assembly elections, public activist Prof Deven Dutta said that it was unfortunate that the State, already lagging behind in many spheres, has to wait for approximately 40 days to get a new government, which is wastage of time and public money.
�In the pretext of political scenario, cultural programmes and educational activities, the elections are planned here in a way that prolongs the wait, whereas other States need not wait for so long,� he said in a statement, pointing out that it adds to the political anxiousness, increases the security expenses of the ballot boxes and brings everything to a standstill.
He said till the time the results are declared on May 19, the 15 ministers and over 20 parliamentary secretaries have no other work but to indulge in political calculations and �misuse� public money in their personal activities and pleasure trips.
Dutta further alleged that lack of work culture in the government offices, government schools, etc, is also a part of the State government�s failure to discipline its employees, despite the rise in their pays and perks. �The Tarun Gogoi-led State government would pass on the burden of nearly Rs 35,000 crore debt on the successive government and whether the next Chief Minister is Gogoi himself, or someone else, he or she will have to deal with the financial burden. This will have an adverse impact on the development of the State,� he added.
Also raising concern over the law and order situation as well as rhino poaching in the State, he said that numerous scams and mismanagement in the PWD, Excise Department and many other departments of the State are the glaring examples of the corruption and indiscipline in the government offices.
�In such circumstances, it is not expected from this government to work for the development of the State in the remaining 20-25 days of its rule. But it is high time people should be conscious enough and keep a close watch on the activities of the next government from the very beginning,� he added.
