Editor,
The stretch from Mawlai (Banalari World Cars) to Umiam Dam is in a very bad shape. This is no road at all. Many letters have been well written on the plight of the daily commuters along this stretch. I request our honourable Chief Minister, PWD Minister, Urban Affairs Minister, Transport Minister, Tourism Minister, to drive along this stretch in ordinary vehicles, sans escort and experience first hand the problems faced by the people who elect them. Why this road which is the only link road between Shillong and Guwahati is left to deteriorate to this extent is a million dollar question. Kindly respond with urgency, dear leaders in the interest of the State.
Yours.etc
R Nelson
Shillong-8
Too many VIP cars around!
Editor,
The misuse of red and yellow beacons on VIP cars in Meghalaya is shameful. Most of these so-called VIPs are not entitled to use these lights, but get away with it due to public ignorance. As per the prevailing law, there are individuals with specific designations which are entitled to use these beacons. Officials who use red and yellow beacons are required to put up stickers with their name, official designation, and car number. The red or yellow beacon cannot be transferred from official car to a private car and also cannot be used by any other person. When the specific person to whom it is allotted is not present the light should be covered.
Our “VIPS” continue to flout the rules because the Meghalaya Police is reluctant to take them to task. While police in most other states have come down heavily on such violations, the Meghalaya police is yet to wake up. These VIP cars are a menace in the city as they park wherever they feel like and refuse to budge no matter what. They pay scant regard to “No Parking” signs and are never booked by the Traffic Police. Most of these cars have their designation plates covered with a cloth cover so that they can go about their business anonymously and break all the rules.
In pursuance of powers under clause (iii) of proviso to rule 108 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, the Central Government has, vide Notification No. 52 (E)/ 11-01-2002 of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, specified what a vehicle carrying the following h igh dignitaries shall be permitted to use.
The list is available in the public domain. I hope the above list is used by our Traffic department in booking all the offenders forthwith.
The public should also pay close attention to improper use of beacons to check such violations.
Yours etc.,
James Pariat,
Via email
Mo moral policing please!
Editor,
The moral policing proposed by FKJGP is completely unacceptable. We have already seen what happened in Mumbai and in Karnataka where hooligans indulged in rampant violence and molestation of women in the guise of moral policing. We have too much of informal moral policing already which has caused great damage to our reputation. There have been many instances where couples (especially tourists) have been accosted and robbed by goons in the outskirts of the city without the least provocation. This needs to be stopped immediately. I suggest the
Meghalaya Police take a strong hand in these matters and stop unacceptable declarations of moral policing by FKJGP and others. These organisations are doing more harm than good to the fair name of our state. A strong warning by the police is in order. These NGOs should take up worthy causes like tackling unchecked mining, deforestation and corruption rather than trying to gain publicity through cheap stunts.
Yours etc.,
Mylene R,
Via email