Editor,
Through this letter I would like to draw the attention of SPTS (Shillong Public Transport Service) with regards to the recently launched bus service about the need to provide more information with regards to these points – (a) Bus route along with number and the destination/location headed for (b) The fare to be paid to every covered destination (c) A particular telephone number should be allocated for public grievances in case of any misbehaviour by the bus staff and to report any emergency. The government should educate the public by publishing information in local dailies as the information board provided on the bus is not informative and rather too complicated to be read. This is one way of ensuring the success of the service.
Yours etc.,
Dony Kokii,
Via email
II
Editor,
It is indeed a matter of pride that after such a long time, the Government of Meghalaya did something visibly good for the state by starting the city buses. It is pleasing for the eyes to see those red buses making a mark in between the black and yellow cabs.
Unfortunately, in the week that it started, I as a resident of Shillong haven’t been able to board the bus for the simple reason that I do not know the routes and the timing. Through this paper, I would like to appeal to the government and the concerned department to make public the bus routes and timings. It would be of great help to all.
Yours etc.,
Reetasri Bhattacharjee,
Via email
Non-functional ATMs
Editor,
I was at Shillong during the last weekend with my family to cool off the summer heat. With excellent weather, our stay was very pleasant in my favourite holiday destination. The new city buses launched by the State Government was a welcome surprise. However, I was disgusted with the State Bank of India as most of their ATMs were either non-functional or were temporarily out of service. With great difficulty, I could manage to withdraw some cash from the SBI Laitumkhrah Branch ATM. The State Bank of India must be believing in the policy of ‘maximum quantity of outlets & minimum quality of service’.
Yours etc.,
Dr Monideep Das,
Guwahati-781005.
Reservation: pros and cons
Editor,
The Supreme Court’s verdict of upholding reservation for the backward communities in jobs and educational institutions is a very significant judgment. This judgment will encourage movements like those of the Gujjars and the Jats in demanding backward status for them intensifying the race to the bottom of the social ladder. There are arguments from the anti-reservation group that it will encourage mediocrity while denying the deserving general candidates the opportunities they deserve. This is a very strong argument and cannot be easily dismissed. However the argument from the Supreme Court that they cannot “treat unequals as equals” is equally strong. Competition based on merit is only possible when all the participants have equal access to opportunities to improve themselves. Equal opportunities as we know are concentrated in the hands of the few who happen to be from privileged socio-economic backgrounds and staying in urban locations that have the best of the facilities. In such an environment of inequality the idea of competition based on equality is not tenable. But the continuation of reservation for a long time is also not sustainable as it implies the continued prevalence of the problems that reservation was intended to solve i.e. to improve and raise the quality of life of the backward sections of the society. Let’s take the case of NEIGRIHMS and IIM that is based in Shillong. They provide a great opportunity for the local students but in most cases students from outside states are getting preference. It does not mean that the students from the state are mediocre, but because of the absence of the coaching institutes in the state and the lack of proper guidance, they are not able to face the entrance examinations for these institutes. We need to prepare our students not only for these institutes but to be able to go to any part of the country or the world and win. At the present time, reservation is required but we will have to give it up sooner than later.
Yours etc.,
Bhogtoram Mawroh,
NEHU Shillong