Editor,
In the early hours of September 13, 2012, there was a filthy site at Iewduh area. The rained had washed away the garbage dump near Motphran and spilled over to the length and breadth of the road going down to Butcher Road. Now this is obviously due to the unscientific and unethical ways of management of waste in that area. If only strict measures were taken by the Shillong Municipal Board on fixing up this area to ease commuters in the city and passers-by then we could have avoided this mess. If only the SMB can arrange collection of garbage from these places in the wee hours it would be a huge relief for morning walkers, school children and daily commuters. In a news report in your paper dated March 20, 2012, Shillong Municipal Board CEO, T Lyngwa had said, “People usually throw their garbage in that place at night.” So I hope he and the SMB would look into the night- hour collection of waste in order to solve this problem which had causes tremendous discomfort to pedestrians for months now.
I would also like to mention that there are various other open garbage dumps in the city, one noticeably in front of Assam Studio, Police Bazaar. Such garbage dumps should be banned for health and hygiene related issues. Other sites with enclosures should be provided by the SMB. Although I express my gratitude to the workers who collect our household wastes from residential areas, I pity them for their lack of protective gear such as gloves and masks and also a covering for the garbage trucks to relieve the people of the stench emanating from putrid waste.
Yours etc,
Gregory Ford Nongrum
Shillong – 1
Govt’s flip flop stance
Editor,
The demolition by the police of so called ‘check-gates’ put up by some pressure groups near Byrnihat seems quite perplexing for two reasons. Firstly the government says that all interest and pressure groups need to work together with the state machinery, and is also asking for their solution to the influx problem. But on the other hand it prohibits these groups from checking vehicles and people which come in from other states because they ostensibly work in tandem with the state police. So what formula is the state machinery applying to solve the constant illegal migration? Is the state police capable of managing and checking vehicles and people on their own? If so, how do illegal migrants find entry even after the deployment of a toothless infiltration force? I think when we hear the government talking of convergence then it means civil society and police working together to detect, detain and deport illegal migrants from the state.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S Wankhar
Shillong-3
Affairs of Kolkata Meghalaya House
Editor,
Meghalaya House Kolkata, the place usually regarded by Meghalayans as home away from home and seen to be well maintained with a history of good administration has now lost its past glory under the administrative control of the present Trade Adviser and Director of Movements. The multiple postings given to present Officer in two different States is adversely affecting the overall functioning of the prestigious Meghalaya House. The administration has completely collapsed. HM Shangpliang who is also holding two other major departments like Social Welfare and Information and Public Relation besides OSD GAD, is operating Meghalaya House by remote control from Shillong through his trusted aid LDA, who happens to be one of the junior- most staff. The Senior staff including the Movement Officer are unable to function effectively due to the interference from the LDA, the de-facto Trade Adviser and surprisingly and against all administrative norms they are made to take the orders from their junior. This is very frustrating for them. The officer in charge hardly visits Kolkata and always asks the bills etc to be brought to Shillong. Is th4 Meghalaya Government so short of officers? Why is Shangpliang indispensable or extra brilliant? Or does he have so many hands like Goddess Durga that he can work in many places at a time? Why don’t the Government allow some senior MCS officers who are holding minor departments to hold the posts of Social Welfare and IPR and thereby get better service? It is indeed unfair to other colleagues. Government should review the departments held by HM Shangphliang in the best interests of our state and should not allow postings to be politically manipulated by some officers who bite more than they can chew.
Yours etc.,
John Sangma,
Hawakhana, Tura