31st March – a cakewalk
Normally the State Secretariat and its subsidiaries the directorates turn into a war zone during this season of ‘year-ending.’
Files are scanned and scrutinized to ensure that no payments are pending and that all outstandings are squared up. Its almost a ritual that 31st March must be a series of last minute clearances. There is a certain bonhomie as people bid goodbye to the financial year. This happens over several cups of ‘chai’ and good food.
In the past, government buildings used to be alive and kicking until the wee hours of morning. This time it was different said a senior bureaucrat. “Things are easy now. Single window clearance has brought in efficiency and speed,” the babu said.
Efficiency and speed are not known to be traits familiar to the bureaucracy but perhaps things are indeed changing. Is that the reason why the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma was relaxed and spent happy hours at the JN Stadium watching Shillong Lajong play Sporting Clube De Goa. This would not have been possible in the pre-Mukul era.
And mind you, the CM is also the head of the Single Window Agency! Meghalaya’s on the treadmill is it? And why not, since another Sangma has set up a swish gym at Laitumkhrah, which is the talk of the town. Time to keep fighting fit physically and also get the bureaucrats too to pump up more adrenaline into their files!
Of winds and pollen allergies
Winter has quietly departed but spring is rather late this time. All the symbols of winter – sweaters, shawls, jackets, coal pots, heaters are nicely tucked away. Strong winds can be tough on kids and adults with allergy problems.
This is the season of pollen dust allergies and doctors have a long queue outside their chambers. There is so little we know of allergies and how to combat them. But what a parent recently remarked is an eye-opener. She said many parents are unaware of the allergies in what is called “food” mainly the packaged variety, and noodles in particular of which there are so many brands in the market today.
This well-informed mother said that schools should teach their students about mono-sodium glutamate- MSG (commonly called ajinomoto which is present in packaged noodles and give it the taste) and its likely effects on the human system if overused. All restaurants serving Chinese food use ajinomoto unsparingly and no one really knows if it is within the acceptable limits since Food Inspectors here are a dormant lot.
Many people are allergic to ajinomoto and can break out into a severe allergy rash and watery nose and eyes. If only we knew more about allergies we could make better, informed choices. What we can’t help inhale though is pollen especially from pine trees and other spring flowers which many children are highly allergic to.
Overcharging plus looting
A passenger recently boarded a cab in the wee hours on his way to Shillong from West Khasi Hills. On reaching a certain place in East Khasi Hills the driver demanded Rs 3000 as fare from the passenger who paid the fare on reaching Shillong but not after arguing with the driver for overcharging him.
Since the passenger was a non-tribal with a name that is uncannily reminiscent of neighbours from across the border (neighbours who presumably cross the border regularly without any hindrance) the driver took him to Mawlai and bashed him up black and blue for arguing with him over the fare.
After assaulting the passenger the driver then robbed him of Rs 45, 000. Later the poor victim went to the nearby police station to lodge a complaint. He was bleeding; his clothes were tattered and he bore the marks of assault.
What a sorry episode to happen in this so-called ‘tourist’s paradise.’ Drivers in this State are accountable to none and regularly take innocent passengers for a ‘ride.’ Can this be allowed to continue?