Editor,
No matter how much the government talks about bringing change and improvement all around especially in the rural areas, this good intention ends up in the corridors of the Secretariat. If at all Dr. Mukul would like the villages to be part of the development process then road connectivity is of utmost priority since it is the lifeline to all forms of progress and accessibility. Perhaps if a trip to the villages from Saipung onwards is undertaken by officials sitting in Secretariat then the hardships that the people face would make them see sense on the kind of so called “development” is really palpable and visible; where the PWD-NEC project has failed to take off and so too other projects. The irony here is though the sitting MLA and MDC are from the Congress yet nothing has been done to improve the economic and social life of the people residing in this part of Jaintia hills. It is high time to show some effective governance in some of the far flung areas of the State.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-3
Nepotism in the PDS
Editor,
Through your daily I wish to draw the attention of the concerned persons regarding the Public Distribution System in our state, where most of the dealers are either headmen, or their wives or the secretary or his family members. The recent event in Mawsynram tells us that there is the need to revamp this system. Often the Government appears to be very unmindful of this nepotism or else why should they give the dealership to such persons. A headman or the secretary of the village should be the observers of the dealers to ensure that they do justice to their work. They should not be dealers themselves. For instance the FPS dealer of Saphai Village is the headman himself. Is the Deputy Commissioner (Supply) Jaintia Hills so blind while issuing the dealership? Interestingly the NGOs in our State remain silent on this issue even when the dealers sell these essential items at an exorbitant rate and beyond the price fixed by the Government.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Shillong
Dangers of alcohol use
Editor,
The de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in Shillong have minimal facilities. Many people are unaware of their existence and what they are meant for. Why doesn’t the Government of Meghalaya set up a state of the art rehab centre and create more awareness about its use? As far as dangers of drinking goes it seems that people are ignoring the signs. In the modern world beer is rapidly becoming another beverage which teenagers take just to cool of steam. I am aware that alcoholic beverages are sold even to minors in some wine stores and restaurants and that the Police and Excise Department which has jurisdiction over wine stores is not taking punitive action against the dealers. Wine Stores should not be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages to minors and if they are doing so then serious action should be taken against the shop owners. At present the consumption of alcohol has become a trend in Meghalaya and there are increasing cases of accidents and suicides. The Government should take this matter seriously. People should be aware of the dangers of alcohol consumption and addicts should understand that there are people willing to help and provide them with the proper knowledge of the dangers of drinking.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request