Editor,
Investment for Meghalaya in many forms is much needed considering the amount of natural resources and human skills available but all that should be tempered with respect for the fragile environment we continue to live and depend upon. We have read and seen that from the Khasi hills down to Jaintia Hills further to Garo hills there are so called ‘investment friendly’ companies that continue to loot, destroy and ravage the environment without any accountability or responsibility. Let us understand that the Single Window Agency studies and gives permission to any company it considers ‘friendly’ for the economy and for also a certain section of the political and bureaucratic class. There are so many subsidies relaxations given in terms of taxes etc…which have not brought holistic development for the past 38 years of our statehood. It is perplexing for the Chief Minister to invite companies to exploit our natural resources and at the same time protect the environment. For the record number of cement companies here have learnt only to take and have given back nothing. Yet they talk of corporate social responsibility which I doubt whether they actually know its technical meaning. It is not about opening public toilets or donating blankets but a more sustained ploughing back into the environment by way of reclaiming abandoned mines etc and by taking steps to preserve the ecological surroundings. Perhaps, it is time that a regulatory authority is needed to monitor these ‘friendly’ companies before we are left with nothing else but a ravaged earth.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S Wankhar
Shillong-3
Stray animals on the prowl
Editor,
I am a resident of NEHU, Shillong. As we all know, from ancient times man is fond of keeping dogs, cats, cows, etc. as pets. These animals help people in their daily household chores and therefore they become good friends. However, there are many animals that are left without anybody’s care on the roads. These animals create a lot of nuisance for the general public. They scare the small children and also run after the vehicles coming on the road. Last week, while I was on my way to Police Bazaar from NEHU campus with my family, a herd of cows came in front of my car and damaged a part of it. This led to unnecessary delay. After the cows moved away from the car, we drove for a short distance after which a group of 5-6 stray dogs vigorously followed the car due to which I had to drive very fast. The bark of the dogs frightened the small children on the road. The stray animals can also be hit by some vehicle. Many would have seen the dead bodies of stray animals lying on the Guwahati-Shillong road. This is on account of the stray animals on the highways which are hit by speeding vehicles.
Meghalaya is progressing day by day. Today it is famous for its rich culture, heritage and tradition. That is the reason why the number of tourists visiting Meghalaya is increasing at a rapid rate. This is a matter of great joy for us. But tourists are not used to dealing with stray animals. I appeal to the Government and people to take some strong measures to control the breeding of stray dogs and also not to allow cows on the roads.
Yours etc,.
Shivam Prasad
NEHU campus
Shillong
Outrageous price hike
Editor
This morning while going through a local daily I saw a news item regarding the hike in pork prices from Rs 180 to Rs 200 per kg which is outrageous. As it is, the price of pork per kg at Rs 180 is already the highest in the country. Compare this with Nagaland where the price of pork is Rs 140 per kg in Dimapur even though Nagas consume about 9 kgs of pork per annum per person whereas in Meghalaya the per capita consumption of pork is only less than 4 kg. How can the butchers/sellers justify this increase? In fact the price should be lesser in Shillong than in Dimapur considering we Meghalayans consume lesser amount of this favourite delicacy. I would like the consumers and all the pork lovers to resist this arbitrary raising of prices. And we hope that the new District Administrator will also kindly take note of this. Lastly, for everyone’s information the price of beef in Dimapur is Rs 90 only per kg.
Yours etc.,
Eleazer Blah
Camp: Dimapur