Editor,
With reference to your article,” Is ILP the solution to the influx dilemma?” (Aug 24, 20102) I would like to put forward the following points.
As a concerned citizen and an RTI activist, it is our duty to share with and inform the general public about the RTI findings concerning certain industrial activities in our state and to bring to the notice of our government that some of it’s well intentioned policies are not giving maximum benefits to the state and its’ people and it is the duty of a responsible government to take corrective steps, which sadly is not happening in our state so far.
Secondly, to bring to your kind notice, we are not only “shouting from the rooftop” but since the Jaintia Youth Federation have filed a case against the cement companies in Jaintia Hills for violating the Forest Conservation Act, we have decided to assist them by providing inputs received through the RTI. On your statement that “sensible people would prevent scams from happening rather than endorsing their own suspicions after corruption has happened”, I would like to request for your suggestions on how to stop scams from happening because as ordinary citizens we do not have that authority. But, had the state government taken action on some of the scams the MRTIM had unearthed through the RTI and brought to the notice of this government, then it would have had some deterrent effect on future scams, to a certain extent.
In conclusion, while everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion on any subject or issue, it is uncalled for to be spiteful of those who hold other views and opinions.
Yours etc.,
Michael N Syiem
Via email
The author replies: Every NGO must be open to criticism. That should not be construed as malice or being spiteful. The public is still wondering what happened to the Rs 9 crore CGI sheet scam unearthed by the MRTIM in 2010.
Shameful conduct of Govt
Editor,
Outrageous ,disgraceful, shameful ,shocking or whatever you call it, the news relating to the locking of Kharmalki’s office(ST 29th August 2012) has dented the image of the Government. Now the public perception is that the Government has committed a misdeed which is unpalatable to the public and the NGOs have expressed their opposition because the Government refuses to listen to reason. What is baffling is that despite the Chief Secretary’s public statement that the extension of service of the officer is against all norms and procedures what prevented him from initiating action to quash the order? Again if the order for extension of service of Kharmalki is a unilateral decision of the Deputy Chief Minister sans Cabinet approval then why is the Chief Minister who is the head of the Cabinet allowing this matter to drag on and embarrass his Government? Strangely this same Chief Minister who brazenly went all out against the Deputy Chief Minister on the latter’s utterance about the misplaced mining policy has chosen to keep quiet on this issue. There is more to this than meets the eye. One can safely conclude that this is another one of those decisions of the Government arising out of the politician bureaucrat nexus and against public interest. But what happens now? Will it be another game of passing the buck and washing dirty linen in public while the public are made to suffer because of the expected agitations of NGOs just because of the irresponsible action and adamant attitude of the Government? Where do we go from here?
Yours etc.,
Gilbert Rani,
Via email
Lessons from Assam
Editor,
The continuing clashes between two communities in parts of lower Assam is slowly turning into a communal rift between them and now with political parties jumping into the fray each engaged in drawing masses for electoral gains things are turning very dangerous. The issue over who is an illegal settler seems perplexing since there is no mechanism or technology that could determine the difference. A minority community being backed covertly by a perfume Moghul who holds sway of nearly two-third votes a mix of legal and illegal voters is just an icing on the cake. Communal politics and social issues when mixed together create a deadly dose of insecurity and pose a dangerous design to national and economic security of genuine citizens. It is necessary that governments become more conscious while addressing sensitive matters like influx or ILP since these might tend to be hijacked by vested groups and parties.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-3