Editor,
As a concerned citizen of Shillong city I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the inconvenience caused to the public by the construction works carried out by Hotel Pegasus Crown authority.
For about two years or so, the vehicular traffic coming from MUDA parking lot has been diverted through Quinton Road, Trinity School Road and the road passing behind MSTC building. It is now been observed that due to the construction of some structure by the Hotel Pegasus Crown at the junction near State Printing Press, the vehicles coming up the steep slope are unable to see ahead thereby causing serious problems. This may result in fatal accidents at any time. I therefore request the authorities to take immediate action so that valuable lives of people could be saved.
Yours etc.,
P Dkhar,
Shillong-3
Basin Development Project
Editor,
The letter of Clive Nongkynrih ” Wanted more participation” does make sense .After reading the curtain raiser on the IBDLP in the website of the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority it appears that the the objectives , the strategy and the approach of the IBDLP are mere repetitions of what is envisaged in the existing programmes of the different Government Departments down the years but merely reframed by bureaucrats and by opinionated Consultants who know the Planning Commission jargons enough to convince the Commission. As these bureaucrats and Consultants only recently set foot in the State and have a vague knowledge and experience of the ground reality I wonder as to how they would translate their thoughts into action . No wonder there are divergent views and opinion within the organisation itself. Let us not overlook the fact that villages came up and flourished much before any government functionaries stepped in. The villagers have themselves identified their sources of livelihood within their area of settlements and such means of livelihood have sustained them for generations . No doubt a little more of Government assistance would go a long way in improving their lot but not in the way they have been bombarded or pampered in recent years with plethora of rural development programmes with the same objectives and aiming at the same target group. These programmes with huge financial allocations and physical targets that are supposed to benefit rural folks somehow barely reach them or if they are within their reach are not at tune with them. Our forefathers have constructed beautiful cultivated terraces and established productive orchards well before any government schemes were thrust on them. Therefore , I think its enough of rural development programmes or if there are, let them be within the range where they can be easily monitored and evaluated . What our rural folks need immediately are good road connectivity, electricity, good primary health care and good schools. The rest will follow.
Yours etc.,
P.Marbaniang,
Shillong-3
Liqour store in residential area
Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I wish to bring to light the sorry state of affairs in and around Rynjah bazar due to the presence of the now famous wine store “Hunlang Wine Shop’ in the area. It’s a small wine shop in the by-lane in which even a news paper shop is located. The situation is such that it is difficult for women to come out of their homes in the evening as the lane is crowded by large number of men many of whom openly urinate in the open without caring about the residents. Many cars are parked in this lane by these so called customers, right in front of the gates of most residences thus creating problem for easy through fare. The side paths are utilised by many to have a comfortable seat and drink openly without caring about what the residents feels about such behaviour. Complaints to the local thana, Rynjah Welfare Society, patrolling police parties has resulted in good for nothing notices being painted in the walls, occasional round of once or twice in a month or two by the police patrol which makes the lane habitable for a day or two but the situation goes back to normal. I wonder what the authorities or the Rynjah Welfare Society thought before permitting this nuisance to happen in a peaceful residential area. I hope this letter through your esteemed daily which I am sure will find many supporters, opens the eyes of the concerned authorities and some welfare measures are taken immediately to help restore this locality to its former peaceful state.
Yours etc.,
Rini Barua,
Via email