Editor,
I’ve been observing the trend in the Garo Hills for the past few weeks now and I’d like to share my findings. First, let’s consider MeECL, same entity, different name. What we were led to believe is that the corporatisation of the board (MeSEB) would lead to better performance.
In fact, it is the contrary. We in Garo Hills are besieged with power cuts lasting for hours every now and again. Even when we have power, it’s erratic with a blackout every five minutes. Then, there is the age old excuse of the line between Nongalbibra and Nongstion, which has been the scapegoat since the eighties. I thought by now they would have rectified this line.
Today, I called up their complaint no and asked what had happened to their service and the guy at the other end actually hung up.
Then, we have the mobile phone service providers. The network service they provide is terrible. Even in Tura, the mobile service is pathetic. Call drops are normal and the words “network fail” appears on the screen. But there is no mercy as far as billing is concerned.
No one minds paying for good service but not when the service is next to nonexistent. It’s time to remind these companies that ‘customer is king.’
May I ask all legislators (I know that they are all facing the same problems) to formulate a Bill and pass it in the assembly so that any company operating in our state can be penalised for providing less than par service. Dr. Mukul Sangma, since you have been ‘performing,’ I hope you can take action in this matter.
Yours etc.,
R. Sangma,
Tura
Time to challenge the MPSC
Editor,
Till this moment those who appeared for the Meghalaya Civil Service exams nurture bad feelings about the selection process adopted by the members of the MPSC. Soon after the interview, those who believed they had done well were confident of being selected but were shocked when their names never found mention on the Board’s list of successful candidates.
What I want to convey to all the candidates who made it to the final stage is this – stop thinking all the negative things or blaming the selected ones. Let us instead come together to discuss the matter if that is the real concern and do what is necessary so that deserving candidates are not denied their rights and the undeserving ones are weeded out. Why not come together and file a case or RTI wherever applicable?
We could consider asking the Union Home Department and the CBI to look into the said matter.
Yours etc
V.Buam
Save Jaintia Hills
Editor,
I fully endorse the various views expressed recently in your esteemed daily regarding the need for the state mining policy to be tabled at the earliest. In this regard, I would like to request our Mining Minister to pursue the issue in right earnest because it is long overdue. It seems to be a crucial point in our history as a state, because we have the power now to try and rectify, before it is too late, the rampant destruction of our land. Jaintia Hills has long suffered the worst effects of irresponsible mining, be it the merciless rape of the environment or the social evils it has brought about.
It is high time that the mining lobby realise they can no longer have their way. A strong mining policy must be put in place to protect what is left of our precious natural environment. No more plunder, no more loot. It is now or never.
Yours etc.,
I Tariang,
Via email
Where are the coins?
Editor,
After the prompt suspension of the wayward driver and conductor, it is heartening to hear from the Hon’ble Transport Minister that the Government is conducting surprise checks on the buses to ensure that there is no leakage of income to the Government and that ticketless travellers will be fined Rs 50 plus the cost of ticket on such non-co-operating travellers. It is a welcome decision; nothing new of course, since this is a practice in other big cities of the country since a long time. But in order to stymie such checkers being in cahoots with conductors, it is suggested that all the said checkers should wear uniforms with distinct nameplates on their breast-pockets to facilitate lodging of complaint against the errant ones.
However, it is a pity that the Minister had to beg the passengers to bring the exact change while travelling when on the other hand, all the Government had to do is to indent for bulk amount of coins from the SBI which is the agent of the RBI in our State. We often hear the RBI proudly declare that there is no dearth of coins in the Region and the State. If so, there should always be enough coins with the SBI at Shillong, and now even at Laitumkhrah too. These two Banks are dealing with Government payments and receipts on behalf of the RBI. If they cannot provide enough coins to the MTC for running the JNNURM buses, let the RBI itself open its coins counter at Shillong.
Funnily, sometimes when we go to exchange coins from these two Banks, they say there is no stock, but when you do shopping at Police Bazar, you get fresh crisp notes and coins as change for your purchases – an added attraction to buy from these shops (do not tell us these fall as manna from the sky). In fact by giving coins/change in bulk to the JNNURM conductors, the distribution of such coins to the public is also ensured.
Yours etc.,
Audrey Grace Syiemiong
Via email