It is pretty sad to see a
large number of people
who are engaged in the profession of pasting of the tinted glass and paintings of the vehicle number plates have not only remained jobless but they are equally unsure about their future.
The uncertainty of the future of such people who are engaged in these two professions is the outcome of the decisions from the Government to ban the use of tinted glasses in all vehicles of the State and also the introduction the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP).
Their bread and butter has been taken away since the decision of the Government to introduce the HSRP and these groups of people for the past few years have decided not to make any hue and cry since they were hoping that the Government would do something to take care about their welfare and interest.
After seeing that the Government has turned a blind eye towards their problems and difficulties, these groups of people has decided to come together and formed the Meghalaya Automobiles Accessories Association (MAAA) to express their disappointment over the step-motherly attitude of the Government towards them.
“We have been waiting with the hope that the Government is going to do something for us,” MAAA general secretary John Phira Mawa during their first ever interaction with mediapersons here on Saturday.
He said that they have been forced to take this drastic step of coming out in the open to tell the people about their miseries since their family and children are starvind as they do not have any job.
“We are not able to provide our family with their basic needs,” Mawa said while adding that they cannot think about the future of their children since their own future is suddenly so bleak.
While expressing a major disappointment on the attitude of the Government, he said that they are all hurt since the Government has always come forward to help all those groups who are engaged in various professions and even those people who have taken up arms.
Recalling that few years back the Government decided to do away with the horse cart in the city, he said that the Government has provided them with the financial assistance to purchase mini-trucks to be able to stand in their own feet.
When the Government decided to acquire the land from the people for any project, MAAA general secretary said that the Government would provide them with the land compensation.
“What hurts us the most is the fact that the Government is quick to help the militants who have come forward to surrender. If the Government can help those who have taken up arms to fight then why is it shying away to help us, being genuine citizens of the State,” he said.
Mawa said that this attitude of the State Government forces them to think that they should all take all arms so that they would provided with all the support.
MAAA general secretary also questioned on the claim of the Government that introduction of the HSRP would help in reducing cases of theft. “But we have received reports that there are many vehicles fitted with HSRP that have been stolen,” he said.
Stating that if the HSRP are not able to reduce the risk of being stolen, Mawa said that it gives a strong suspicion that this system has been introduce to suit the interest of few people.
When asked about their future course of action, he said that they would be forced to resort to agitations if the Government failed to come forward towards their assistance.
(By Lamphrang
Nongspung)