Editor,
The cavalier manner in which the DC Jaintia Hills District, Tining Dkhar, treated the Nongstoin MLA, Mr Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, after the opening of the Myntdu-Leshka Hydel Project, Stage I, on the 29th Feb 2012, is really shocking. It was reported in some local dailies that after the function, the guests sitting on the dais rose and proceeded towards the enclosure reserved for the VIPs for taking their lunch. For some reason Mr Lyngdoh was held back and followed the group a little later, but could not find the place. He encountered the DC and enquired from him. But the DC instead of giving him the direction, sent Mr Lyngdoh to have his lunch in the open area meant for the non-VIPs! The people, including the media persons, who saw and heard what happened were stunned. This seemingly small and insignificant incident is a strong indication of an extreme lack of courtesy and proper conduct on the part of the DC in dealing with important people. The DC should know that Mr Lyngdoh is a sitting MLA, a representative of the people. He was a guest at the function and sat on the dais with other VIPs. He is one of the frontline leaders who fought for and achieved our very own Hill State. He is well known throughout Meghalaya and very well loved and respected for his role in the Hill State movement and his plain and simple way of life. He is one of the few politicians who do not aspire after fame and fortune and is disarmingly honest and straight forward. If not for anything else, the DC should have shown a little respect for Mr Lyngdoh’s age. But, as none of the above considerations entered his head, and since his actions betray ignorance of protocol, a total lack of common courtesy and civilized behavior, it is inescapable to conclude that the officer concerned does not have the OLQ (Officer Like Qualities) and hence is a misfit to be the District Administrator. He is an embarrassment not only to the district administration but to the State as whole.
Yours etc
Elmer Lyngdoh,
Shillong
Different Yardsticks in Meghalaya
Editor,
I read HH Mohrmen’s column, “Commissioning of Myntdu Leshka: Is there reason to cheer? (ST March 5, 2012 and feel his condemnation is sweeping and confident, giving the impression that it is based on facts, figures and a result of in-depth study on the matter of execution of a hydro electric project. But for those who know, they are nothing but shallow statements made out of ignorance, jealousy or even born out of a prejudiced mind that “Khasis cannot do great things!”
If MeECL engineers are inefficient, then who is not? Who does he compare them to? It is not fair to be compared to no one! lf Mr.Mohrmen is means private firms, where are their projects? Or, at least Detailed Project Reports? After all it is already 5 years since they were allotted with sites! Does Mohrmen know that they have asked for seven years to complete their projects? The MOUs signed between the Government of Meghalaya with prominent private firms allowed the private firms seven years to complete their projects.
And what have we here? MeECL engineers condemned for not completing the Leshka-Myntdu project 5 years? Are we using different yardsticks for MeECL and private firms? I have in my possession a souvenir published on the occasion of the inauguration of the Unit I of the Myntdu Leshka HE Project where independent and authoritative officials from the Ministry of Power, Government of India and Central Electricity Authority, (CEA), New Delhi have appreciated the efforts of MeECL in completing the Unit despite many odds.
Is Mohrmen more informed about hydro electric projects than the above officials? Are the innocent readers, victims of misinformation born out of ignorance and jealousy?
Yours etc.,
S P Jana
Shillong-2
Our columnist replies:
I never claimed to be an expert in the area of hydro electric production but one does not need to be an expert to make necessary comments on the project since all the information is today in the public domain. I was at Pdengshakap when the then President laid the foundation stone of the project and I still remember, the President’s warning against any delay which may unnecessary increase the cost of constructing the project. I am a citizen with a right to know if public resources are being used judiciously, and the letter while trying to convince me of the reasons for the delay in completing the project still did not answer the question why there is a huge difference in the cost of constructing the project. Mr. Jana has put words in my mouth. I never said, “Khasis cannot do great things!” My article is about MLHEP and MeECL which employ people of all ethnic backgrounds and MeECL does not belong to the Khasis alone- I hope.
H H Mohrmen
Mighty fall for Congress
Editor
The mighty Congress should learn lessons from UP, Punjab & Goa and also from Uttarakhand where they barely scraped through. Regional politics is strong in major states throughout India but that is yet to be realized in our State. Many believe that governance is easy when we have a national party ruling a State because developmental schemes are readily available. In that case are states like UP, West Bengal, Punjab etc. not developed? If the mandate of 2013 in our state follow the trends of Punjab, UP, West Bengal, Nagaland etc. what new do we expect? I do not say that the Congress-led MUA here has underperformed, but what if we pave the way for a fully led regional government here for 2013-2018? Can we expect major changes or will we be left with unfulfilled promises?
When you talk of politics to the common man here in Meghalaya the response is always personal. In a nutshell they say, “I will vote for whosoever gives me money.” Such remarks show how degraded politics is in our state is. Not for effective governance, not for development, not for employment generation but for self satisfaction. But then who taught the people to become beggars? None other than our desperate politicians who would do anything to win an election. However, not all politicians offer money; nor do all voters expect or demand money! But those who do vote for money form a large chunk of Meghalaya’s voters. In fact the market for 2013 has already commenced. People are promised with a kings’ ransom while those with good marketing skills have starting packaging themselves as prospective candidates since politics can add a feather to their CV. The electorate should realise that five years are very precious. Unless we all stand up against corruption, the past will repeat itself. But who will eradicate corruption?
Yours etc.,
Wankitbok Pohshna
Shillong – 11