Editor,
Many an attempt had been made to hold municipal elections in the state only to be deferred at the last moment. However, the most recent attempt of holding this election at Baghmara has left me rather confused. Notification for holding of election to Baghmara Municipal Board had been issued and even dates for submission or filing of nomination papers already set. It is another matter that the election had to be cancelled. The point here is, only Baghmara, of all other towns in Garo Hills, had Ward Commissioners nominated to the Municipal Board. And on seeing the Chairman and his ward commissioners still attending Office at the Baghmara Municipal Board even after all the process of holding elections is thwarted, a few questions have arisen in the minds of citizens like me. Does this nomination remain valid even after notifications for holding election are declared? Does the process of holding elections to Municipal Boards differ from Assembly or even District Council elections where the house stands dissolved once election dates are declared? Or was it only an exercise to show to the High Court i.e., to avoid contempt of court that an attempt has been made to hold election without being really serious about it? I am not a legal expert, so I shall be glad if the Government would help clear this confusion.
Yours etc.,
H. Sangma,
Via email
“Rules made to be flouted”
Editor,
Over the years,civic management in Shillong town has taken a nose dive due to both peoples’ reluctance to follow civic rules and the State Government’s/Municipal Board’s lack of foresight. Being called by many as the ‘centre of education’ in the north-east, however this had hardly made an impact on the civic sense of both educated and uneducated people residing in this city. It is particularly awful to see many people including their children (many from city’s missionary schools) speaking in English (to perhaps show their ‘social advancement’) and driving cars eventually throw cigarette packs, ice cream containers, wafers packets etc on the roads and pavements. The sad part is that even the parents don’t mind their children littering. In fact, things are degenerating by he day. I have no hesitation in saying that Shillong is perhaps one of the most uncivilized towns in this modern age in the north-east. The other part is the birth right of parking vehicles by many people in any place, including areas indicated by bold no parking signs. In fact, people who speak in public fora on traffic management and on why people should follow traffic rules in the city themselves violate such sermons including the Meghalaya police, ministers, public servants and so on. The police escorts of ministers and others drive without speed limit, proper rules and safety and endanger peoples’ lives. The traffic police are themselves fearful of stopping such rowdy acts by powerful people and turn a blind eye to them. I wonder how they expect the common to follow traffic rules. I would also like to request people to pay a visit to Nongrim Road, Laitumkhrah and see the array of vehicles parked in front of the MLA and Urban Minister’s house (many of the vehicles belonging to her and the constituency) where the ‘No Parking’ sign is marked in big bold letters (perhaps put by the area Dorbar). Movement of vehicles is very difficult in this stretch of road. Such violations are common and the future of this city is bleak unless people engage in self-awakening.
Yours etc.,
John Giri
Shillong 3