Editor,
Come election and the SDO Sohra Civil Sub-Division will be the Returning Officer for the two constituencies, that is, Sohra and Shella. Huge and enormous as election management and duty are, things have always been smoothly running over the years in Sohra (and Shella), thanks to efficient and capable handling of the same by successive SDOs and the assisting staff.
This time particularly, Sohra people are fortunate because the SDO Civil is not only efficient and capable but also people-friendly and very much accessible. Under his smart leadership we have been witnessing lot of positive changes not only in the work machinery and work culture of his immediate staff but also in the other departments of civil administrations in Sohra.
However, it comes as a surprise to most of us that the office of the District Commissioner in Shillong seems to lack confidence in the SDO Sohra Civil Sub-Division and all his office assistants in Sohra, for in holding the Second Filed Trial of VVPAT System Mock Poll 2012 (scheduled on 25/08/2012) at the 28 polling stations of Sohra and Shella Assembly Constituencies, the major bulk of the process is directly being managed from Shillong. Besides the apparent lack of confidence, the process is also an unnecessary harassment to those officials and auxiliary officials from Sohra who have to travel to Shillong for a series of mismanaged and ill-timed trainings and instructions as to how to go about this Mock Poll.
Further, when it comes to clarification sought from the office of the Sohra SDO regarding arrangements for movement from Sohra to Shillong, etc, this office seems to be in a know nothing zone. It appears Shillong dictates all.
Sohra is a mature Sub-Division. Indeed it is amazing that the people of Sohra, “badon akor” as they are, have not been screaming for a separate District. And some of the best IAS and MCS officers have been managing its affairs successfully over the years. It is only expected that the SDO and his party and extra hands from other institutions in Sohra can manage a mere Mock Poll. Or if Sohra lacks technical knowledge vis-a-vis the new voting machines, then the helpers or experts from Shillong should have come to Sohra. Why trouble the officials of Sohra to suffer a trip to Shillong for something which takes place in their own backyard or front yard?
Yours etc,
B Dakhar
Via email
ILP imperative for Meghalaya
Editor,
Apropos the article titled, “Is the ILP the solution to the influx dilemma? By patricia Mukhim (ST Aug 24, 2012), allow me to put forth my view as follows:
Yes, ILP is the undeniable solution to the influx problem as seen in Mizoram, Nagaland & Arunachal Pradesh where ILP is implemented. Most of the non-tribal, non-Nagas in Nagaland are native or permanent residents; the rest are professionals and workers from other states. Most of the Mizos residing in Meghalaya are here for studies, only a meagre portion are settled here. We cannot compare Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya for many reasons primary among which is that Arunachal Pradesh is a difficult terrain but it is hospitable whatsoever.
The majority of Khasis will never want to move out to metros or other NE states as Meghalaya, besides being an educational hub offers lots of job opportunities (which are being sucked up by the ever floating migrants). So why would anyone want to move out? The ILP will not affect the economy. We can still connect to the global economy and have a bright future for our state. The sole purpose of the ILP is to check the illegal migrants and foreigners in the state not the economy. The ILP is not xenophobic. The ILP is an official travel document issued by the government to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected/restricted area for a limited period which can be extended and renewed. Therefore it does not and will not harass tourists, scholars, professionals, doctors, and specialists etc., who wish to visit our state as it is not a tool of harassment. Had it been so the central government will not even approve of it being implemented in Nagaland, Mizoram or Arunachal Pradesh. In fact foreigners will be flushed out of the state and their entry is restricted.
A world class institution or IT back-offices can be set up by anyone even if we have the ILP. As far as the economy is concerned, ILP is not a factor that can hinder the economic growth. Economic growth is the increase in goods and services resulting from ‘economic development’ which essentially takes place due to public investment in an economy. The issue of unemployment in the state would also reduce as outsiders in the state will not be able to get a domicile certificate so long as they are bound by the ILP. The indigenous people will become proprietors of shops and other business establishments. ILP does not prohibit the state from employing cheap human resource or labourers (outsiders) required for various constructions (roads, buildings etc.). In fact there are huge indigenous workforces of the same category available.
So the suggestion to implement the ILP emanates from the masses of the local indigenous people and not from fear or paranoia. Even some of the non tribal non Khasis or non Garos (native and permanent residents) supports it as it safeguards our cultural identity. Only few deprecate it. I suggest the government take immediate steps and start working out on the process of implementing the ILP and not adopt dilatorily, wait and watch tactics as our unique identity is threatened.
Yours etc.
Nevin K Lanoh
Shillong-1