Editor,
I had gone through the article “IS THERE AN IMMIGRATION PROBLEM IN MEGHALAYA WHICH ILP CAN SOLVE?” by well known scholar Bhogtoram Mawroh. The article seemed to suggest that ILP introduction in Meghalaya will not help in any way to put a cap on immigration into the state. My take on it is that ILP cannot completely seal the flow of outsiders into the state, including illegal immigrants from across the porous Meghalaya borders. ILP however, will definitely help to identify people and record who comes in and goes out of Meghalaya and perhaps, in the process, even foreign nationals can be nabbed and handed over to the authorities to deal with them according to the law. Moreover, ILP will act as a brake to the free flow of outsiders coming into Meghalaya for whatever purposes. In my sixty odd years of experience I have witnessed many migrants who came into the state and have made Meghalaya their home. Except for the genuine citizens of the state, Meghalaya cannot be the home of any outsider or illegal immigrant. Some have argued that ILP will retard the growth of tourism in the state. Such people may have some hidden agenda which they do not want to reveal. This argument is all humbug and has no basis whatsoever. Meghalaya is already one of the most sought after tourist destinations in India and no one can stop tourists from coming to enjoy the natural beauty of the state bestowed by Almighty.
Yours etc…
Philip Marwein,
Via email.
The Delhi violence and its aftermath
Editor,
It is of great concern that the violence in north eastern Delhi resulted in the tragic death of over 35 people and massive destruction of property. It is a pity that the violence that erupted in Delhi coincided with US President Trump’s visit. It was a great occasion for both the government and people but it was overshadowed by violence. The confrontation between the supporters of the CAA and protestors against it led to communal violence and tragic deaths.
It is ironic that the Union Home Ministry that is in charge of law and order failed to quell the violence. The violence brings into sharp focus the inefficiency of the Delhi police. They failed to discharge their primary duty of law enforcement. Our democracy is passing through bizarre times because democratic rights and practices are under serious threat. Peaceful protests against government policies are an essential characteristic of democracy. However, those who oppose the wrong policies of the government are now being painted as traitors. The ruling dispensation infringes people’s right to dissent.
It is a matter of great concern that the confrontation between the supporters of the CAA and the protestors against it deteriorated into communal violence. However, man has an inherent tendency to help suffering fellow beings. It is heart-warming that the 40-odd Muslim residents of North east Delhi’s Ashok Nagar have found brotherhood and hope amid the smouldering ruins. When a mob burnt down their homes and shops the Hindu neighbours opened their homes for the victims.
In a democracy, people should have religious freedom and freedom of expression. Those who express opinions different from that of the government must never be coerced and their peaceful protests must never be repressed. Unity in diversity is our strength. Democratic values must be upheld. Narrow-minded prejudices and discriminations must never endanger our democracy.
The authorities must spare no efforts in restoring peace in Delhi. Those behind the heinous violence must be made to face justice. The message from the authorities must be so strong that such loathsome incidents never recur.
Yours etc.,
Venu GS
Via e mail
Ban service-charges by restaurants and hotels
Editor,
This refers to the highly irresponsible Guidelines No. J-24-9-2014-CPU(pt.) dated 21.04.2017 issued by Department of Consumer Affairs (Government of India) wherein consumers going to hotels and restaurants for enjoying food are advised to approach Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum against malpractice of certain restaurants and hotels that charge compulsory service-charge in their invoices. The Department of Consumer Affairs should instead impose a ban on levying of service-charges or even providing column for tips. The guidelines smack of some under-the-table deal with associations of hotels and restaurants, because everyone knows that consumers go to hotels and restaurants for enjoyment and relaxation rather than fighting for their rights through cumbersome court-procedures.
If eateries are really sincere for staff-welfare, they can increase their wages at their own expense. Also since there is no limit on served food-prices, they can increase prices rather than adopting back-door route to fool consumers through unfair service-charge. Law must be tightened for incorporating prison-provision for eatery-owners levying service-charge in bills. Rather paying and accepting tips otherwise should be made an offence since gifts and tips are a polished form of bribes. Provision of writing tip-amount on credit-card pay-slips must be abolished.
Central government should go ahead with its proposal to reduce GST on services provided by restaurants including also by air-conditioned ones to 12-percent slab by abolishing corruption-generating provision of Input-Tax-Credit (ITC) of raw material. Any objection by restaurant-owners against abolition of ITC must not be entertained.
Yours etc.,
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
(Guinness Record Holder & RTI Consultant)
Delhi – 6