Editor,
Congrats on a well- crafted, eye catching new look web site. Its chic look and content is sure to attract new readers and help them keep abreast of the forces that are moulding Meghalaya’s destiny.
Yours etc.,
Paul Lyngdoh,
President, KHNAM
BSNL customer unfriendly.
Editor,
BSNL offers a range of services to customer but they fail miserably when it comes to customer relations. I am using their EVDO service for internet with Plan 750. It was running smoothly until Friday (July 1, 2011) evening when the service failed. I booked a complaint the next day over their customer care No 1500. The only response I got was from someone speaking in Assamese which I could not understand. I tried calling repeatedly on Saturday but I couldn’t connect to them. Sunday passed without my internet connection being restored so I had to use my mobile GPRS. Then on Monday, I called the customer care numbers but still could not get through. Finally I browsed their site and stumbled on this web address http://www.ne1.bsnl.co.in/comp_officers.htm. There is a list of office numbers and mobile numbers for complaints. I tried the office number first, no one responded. Then I tried the mobile number of A Venkituswamy, DE (OP) but no one picked up, the phone. Then I tried P Murali, DGM (EB&S). He answered the phone but said he was at Nongpoh. He asked me to call 1500. I told him I did. Then he asked me to call 1904 which I could not dial from my mobile. Then I dialed the number of DE (OP) again. His son picked up the phone and said his father was on vacation.
It’s been four days since my internet is disrupted. Where am I supposed to call? Must we visit the BSNL office physically in this day and age of swift communication? Customer service is supposed to cater to specific needs of customers, but if a giant corporate like BSNL can’t handle their customers with respect then how will they grow? Let’s not talk about billing and standing in long queues for paying our bills! Wake up BSNL if you want to compete with the private sector.
Yours etc.,
Farlando Diengdoh,
Via email
Fuel price hike hits poorest
Editor,
The recent hike in price of fuel, petrol and diesel is very hard on the common people especially for those who earn their livelihood by rendering work in industrial areas like Byrnihat. Due to hike in fuel price the auto rickshaw drivers and grocers have taken advantage to exploit the common people. The auto driver has raised the fare by Rs 5 while the grocer has hiked the prices on all essential commodities. Most auto rickshaw passengers are daily labourers but since Byrnihat has no social organisations to take up the cause of the poor and defenceless they remain exploited. I appeal to all classes of people to unite and raise their voices against such atrocities in our society. I also request the local social welfare bodies, students’ associations, NGO’s and the Government to look into the matter for the sake of the common people.
Yours etc.
Jadabendu Sinha
Shillong Ispat and Rolling Mills
13th Mile ,Burnihat.