Editor,
Apropos the letter (ST Dec 3, 2011) published in your esteemed newspaper, I congratulate the writer for enlightening the public on issues concerning security and safety of lives and property of citizens. Ironically in another news item in your daily (ST Nov 25, 2011) the CEM, KHADC lambasts MUDA for implementing a public welfare law like the Building Byelaws, I feel that all right thinking citizens should reject such irresponsible statements. In fact the KHADC should have made such laws long ago. The KHADC should be grateful to the state government for doing things they have failed to do. The KHADC has been imposing Professional Tax from tribals and non tribals plus various other taxes from non tribals, but offers no services. The Councils get all the benefits by virtue of the Sixth Schedule but their performance is nil except giving back door employments to the kith and kin of MDCs and senior staff. There is no transparency in the functioning of the Councils. The Government of India has extended financial assistance to the Councils for solid waste management through a series of Finance Commission awards, but the funds are diverted to MDC schemes that vanish into thin air. During this financial year several crores of rupees was sanctioned to the KHADC, but no performance is visible. It is shameful that the KHADC does not have a single Town Committee to look into the cleanliness of towns. Places of tourist importance like Sohra and Mawsynram are strewn with garbage. Just by the side of the market at Mawsynram there is a garbage dump. The District Council in Khasi Hills does not have even a garbage dumping ground of its own. Government of India through the 13th Finance Commission Award has specifically earmarked huge amounts to KHADC for solid waste management. Where has all the money gone? Another scam in KHADC ? Or is it that in the name of ‘tradition’ (Riti – Dustur) one can indulge in corrupt practices? I urge upon the government to institute a CBI enquiry into this issue. However CBI enquiry will not take place as long as the CEM is from the Congress party and as long as the MUA government is in power, so, I would request like minded citizens to file a PIL in the High Court on this issue.
Citizens are aware that the Meghalaya Building Bye laws were enacted by the state legislature where the CEM of KHADC and Sanbor Shullai are also members. Were they sleeping at that time? Have they only now awakened from their slumber because elections are approaching? Is the hue and cry they are raising now just for cheap popularity? Mr Pynshngain Syiem the CEM of KHADC is a Congressman but now that he has raised his voice against the Congress government’s policy he has no moral ground to remain in the party. He should join the bandwagon of John Kharshiing who has been trying to mislead the heads of traditional institutions including all the CEMs of District Councils in the state, the Syiem of Mylliem and Khyrim, the Garo Nokmas etc., for his political mileage( after his failure in series of elections}.
The citizens of today are aware of the problems and issues facing them. They know what they want and what their rights are. It is the responsibility of one and all to ensure safe dwelling houses. We cannot allow mushrooming of multi storied buildings without proper structure and proper plans. Therefore we need some regulations otherwise it is a free for all. Mind you, people who have and can afford to construct houses in Shillong are not poor. They should not be allowed to construct shabby houses and rent them out to unsuspecting tenants. The state government which had enacted the Building Bye Laws should have the spine to enforce it in the right spirit.
Yours etc.,
Albert Dean Syiem
Shillong-4
Of VIP status
Editor,
Much has been written about the red lights which adorn the vehicles of government cars being used by ministers, MLA’s and deserving and non deserving government officers in Meghalaya. Their blaring sirens are a public nuisance every time they forcefully try to push their way through traffic. While in the rest of the world anything associated with a ‘red light’ has a rather dubious meaning or denotes a rather dubious place, alas, in our state, it is a sign of pomp and power. I have been here in Aberystwyth,Wales for two months and I reside right next to the Welsh assembly offices for the Ceridigion district of Wales. I often study the many vehicles parked there and have noticed that none of the vehicles, even the ones belonging to the senior officers/government servants, have red lights on them. In fact, the public leaders here are so unobtrusive that one does not even know when they are around amongst the public. Red lights and blaring sirens are unheard of when they are on the move. They take full notice of public complaints and are also fully aware of their accountability, truly a sign of a civilised government. Though courts have failed to control this red light nuisance in Meghalaya, we should not give up. Something must be done about it; file another PIL perhaps – as waiting for our VIP wallahs to behave in a civilised manner will mean that we will probably have to wait for an eternity.
Yours etc.,
D M Pariat,
Aberystwyth,
Wales.