Editor,
Recently I visited the District Transport Office at Tura for renewal of my driving licence. I went from Shillong, taking leave from my work. On reaching the Transport Office and on asking the cashier, he promptly answered that the licensing work is being dealt by a person named “Taktak.” He directed to the person’s desk but I saw a long queue of people and no dealing assistant. On further enquiries I learnt that the dealing assistant had not reached office even though it was nearly midday. She arrived at 11.55 am and instead of making up for lost time she started gossiping with fellow staff members. After 20 mins began calling out the names of applicants one after another. By the time my turn came the power went off and that was around 1.25 pm. So the work was halted. The dealing assistant said there was no power so we would have to wait until power returned or come back the next day. With that she went out of room towards the stairs. I waited as I had to catch the evening bus back to Shillong. Power was finally restored at around 2.00 pm but there was no sign of the dealing assistant. A member of the staff explained that she was taking a break. Forty minutes passed but there was still no sign of her. When she finally arrived and when my turn came she said that the cash counter is closed so I should return the next day. I ended up boarding the bus back to Shillong without renewing my licence.
This is the manner in which the public are harassed by insensitive Government employees day after day and there is no one to take action against them. I request the senior officials of the Transport Department and the Transport Minister himself to take disciplinary action against such errant employees. Are such employees marked for attendance or do they come and go as and when they wish to? Is this not corruption too? Government is wasting public money to pay the salaries of these non-performing employees.
Your etc..
P Pyrtuh
Shillong.
‘Formula One’ Race on the streets
Editor,
In ancient times man longed for a convenient means of transport, especially for distance travelling and other emergency services. Then came the modern era with the rush of vehicles. Unfortunately, today these vehicles have become a curse to the same human race that invented these. Once the steering wheel comes in the hands of the reckless driver, he thinks he is no less than the Indian speeder Narain Karthikeyan or even Michael Schumacher.
I have myself witnessed accidents occurring simply because of reckless driving. One recent incident in the heart of Tura town resulted in the death of a teenage girl. There have been myriad road mishaps in the past, where the victims have been even children. I often see how most vehicles (both private and commercial) are always in a rush to overtake other vehicles without any signal. Further, the problem of the pedestrian increases when he finds no footpath (in some areas) and when the road is narrow. However, there are some conscious drivers who abide by the traffic rules and drive with their eyes open and I thank them. But I would advise those reckless and unruly drivers to participate in some international races and win medals for our country rather than display useless stunts on the road, thereby playing with the lives of innocent pedestrians.
Yours etc.,
Kalparaj Chakraborty,
Tura
ILP or 3-tier ID?
Editor,
On the issue of illegal immigrants and the demand by the NGOs for introducing the Inner Line Permit System ( ILPS ) in the State, I had earlier expressed my personal observations and opinion. I had also supported the alternative proposition in place of ILP which is the comprehensive 3 – tier ID Card which will be more relevant and effective in the context of our State. I am also of the view that the opinion on the necessity to commence the implementation of comprehensive 3 – tier ID Card System as expressed by legislator Mr. Manas Chaudhuri and a columnist Mr Toki Blah recently deserves sincere appreciation by one and all . The recent refusal by the Centre to the Government on Manipur’s demand for introducing the ILP should be an eye opener for us. The Manipur CM, Mr Okram Ibobi Singh had apparently given in to an agitation at Imphal Valley which demanded the ILP. Their Assembly had even passed a private member’s bill moved by the Trinamul legislators. What if the State Assembly here adopts the same approach and that is later turned down by the Central Government and what if the Bill so adopted does not get the Presidential assent ? Mind you , Manipur and Meghalaya are Congress ruled States. So is the Government at the centre. Mr. RG Lyngdoh had suggested the need to have a public debate on the issue of the ILP. Will the NGOs or for that matter any individual come forward and accept the challenge so as to take the bull by its horns? Their sincerity on the issue is awaited. To an extent, I agree with the stand of the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma , on the need to strengthen the traditional institutions so as to combat the menace of illegal immigrants but traditional institutions also need to reinforce themselves for a more comprehensive transparency . We are aware that some Rangbah Shnong / Headman / Goanbura / Nokma / Dolloi are either fraudulent or run a one man show in their respective jurisdictions . The Government must also act with all genuineness in their commitment to end the impasse of illegal immigrants and not just make statements since they have to face the people in a few months time.
Yours etc.,
Cliffric Sohtun,
Shillong-6