Editor,
This has reference to your news item, state administration asked the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi to get back Rs. 8 crore sensing a scam. It is surprising that the state administration got to know about the scam when only 2 crores were left to be disbursed. The amount involved in the scam is a huge and I fail to understand why there is not a proper monitoring facility to consistently see that the funds are utilized properly for the cause for which they were given. Why is it that is noticed at the very last moment? Ironically it is stands true for every state of the nation, be it the fodder scam or the Purti Power and sugar limited involving Nitin Gadkari which is also making a hot story.
According to Mr Rymbai the MLA, he said that he was authorized by the Umsawkhwan village in Ri-Bhoi through a power of attorney to collect the money for the land allotment for the scheme ‘acquisition of ecologically important area’ in the village. He therefore cannot wash off his hands from the scam because authority, responsibility and accountability go together. If he was authorized to disburse the amount he should have been responsible to see it is properly utilized. Now he should be held accountable for the irreparable loss. I am not pointing my finger directly at him but he cannot absorb himself from the responsibility of the scam. By saying irreparable loss I hope it is clear to all that such losses are never recovered. The issues die a silent death. We have witnessed this in the history of all the scams that happened in the nation in the past.
I hope the state administration learns a lesson from this and takes precautionary measures in future while lending out such huge amounts. After all the sufferers are as usual the common people who do not get to know what is happening.
Yours etc.
Partha Protim Roy
Kolkata-700084
No end to scams
Editor,
It has been an interesting week to stumble upon what we can describe as a prelude to elections with a forest and land scam coming out in the open, right from a Congress member and sitting MLA of Umroi Mr. SW. Rymbai. He seems to think that the law is blind so being a sitting MLA someone can bail him out of his misery and shift the blame to someone else. Rymbai claims that he is just a ‘facilitator.’ This is astonishing indeed. No wonder there is so much opposition to his candidature notwithstanding the fact that the Congress which is reeling under different scandals in the country should is shying away from this incident. Since everything now seems twisted and the matter is sub-judice let us wait and see what the government does on this and who is the real thief.
Dominic S Wankhar,
Shillong
Life well lived
Editor,
The whole country was stunned to learn about the untimely and a tragic death of Jaspal Bhatti the famous comedian, satirist and a fine actor, in a road accident at Shahkot near Nakodar on Thursday. It is an irony of fate that just a day prior to the release of his comedy film “Power Cut, “ God made a “Life Cut “ on him thus plunging millions of fans in a sea of sorrow. His fans are extremely shocked over the loss of such a brilliant comedian par excellence. Ordinary people will miss him badly since he used to present their problems in a satirical style in his popular TV shows “Ulta-Pulta” and “Flop Show”. His presentations in the media through TV and Cinema and through road shows highlighted the problems faced by the common man in their everyday lives. The beautiful city of Chandigarh is in a pall of gloom over the loss of its illustrious son who was educated here in the PEC and who not only served as an Electrical Engineer in the PSEB but also entertained its citizens by the Nukkar shows to reform the society with a light and a humourous touch. He will always be remembered not only as an able engineer but a social reformer too. May God grant peace to the departed soul of Jaspal Bhatti who did his karma perfectly in a short life span of 57 years.
Yours etc.,
Dilbag Rai.
Chandigarh
The promise
Editor,
We express our appreciation to the Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma, for announcing the provincialisation of Tirot Singh Memorial College, Mairang. This is a great honour to our freedom fighter U Tirot Sing. The local people feel this will be a blessing as it would help in developing the people of this area. Tirot Sing Memorial College was founded on 31st July 1981 with the aim of imparting education and inspiring them with spiritual and moral values, thereby preparing them to become good and productive citizens for the future. This college is a blessing to many students belonging to the lower income group, not only from Mairang proper but also from villages within the radius of 30-35 kms of Mairang. Provincialising this college will be a boon as there are no Government colleges in West Khasi Hills so far. The availability of a Government college in this region will help reduce the number of drop-outs and raise the standard of living. Above all it will prevent migration to Shillong city. People are looking forward for early action in this regard and for the promises to be translated into action so that it would not be hijacked as an election issue by any of the candidates in the forth coming election.
Yours etc.,
D Nongrang,
Tirot Sing Memorial College