Editor,
I am a well-wisher of the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma from East Khasi Hills. Most of the voters in Meghalaya, I think, will agree with me that the previous Chief Ministers have done precious little to uplift the economic condition of the State and its people, especially in rural areas. Though results of his pet project – the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihoods Project is yet to be seen by the people of the State, which I hope, will be very successful, we have witnessed the speedy progress of the Bye-pass via Umiam- Diengpasoh to Mawryngkneng
Something must be done to follow-up the other Bye-pass which is connected via Umkhen to Nartiang to cut the travel time of vehicles and save precious fuel.
This election will be an acid test for Dr Sangma as it will depend on whether the people have noticed his aggressive move to further development. This can happen only if the Congress party will and can project Dr Sangma as the future Chief Minister. We need not mention that the BJP secured maximum seats in Gujarat due to the performance of Narendra Modi its C.M. The voters knew for sure that given the majority he would retain the hot seat. As such the Party’s projection that Dr Sangma would be the next CM. in the new Govt. will make people loyal to other parties, think twice before they go to vote.
Yours etc.,
Augustine Pyngrope,
Former PS to Chief Secy, Meghalaya
Shillong-6
Too little, too Late
Editor,
The Prime Minister’s reaction to the dastardly killing of two jawans and beheading and mutilating their body came too late. Even at this late stage the Prime Minister’s reaction is ostensibly out of compulsion and public pressure and anger. It is unfortunate that PM took such a long time to react on such a sensitive issue which may not have the desired impact on the other party due to the sheer delay. Pakistan is well aware that India is a soft state and they can get away with any act of cross border terrorism. No wonder even after the Brigadier level flag meet, 5 ceasefire violations have been committed by Pakistan. We should shed the impression created about India being a soft state and instill a sense of fear to deter Pakistan from repeating such reprehensible acts in future. Prime Minister’s reaction in the Delhi gang rape case also came very late. If the Prime Minister had addressed the nation much earlier, it could have assuaged the feelings of the countrymen at large and agitation could have been short-lived and a lot of inconvenience to the public could have been avoided.
Yours etc.,
E M Adithyan,
Via email
Whither consumer rights?
Editor
When speaking of consumer rights very few of us are aware of them, nor do we fight for our rights and benefits as consumers while purchasing food items or consumer durables etc., An incident happened at the Bata showroom when my wife and I went to exchange two pairs of childrens’ sneakers which we had bought on 27th December after we found they were not of the required sizes. We were told to come after a week since the sizes weren’t available. However, when we went On Jan 15, to exchange the shoes and met the store manager we were told that since the fifteen days exchange period had lapsed the sneakers could not be exchanged. When I insisted that it was not our fault since we were asked to come anytime without specifying the date and were also not told about the period within which the sneakers could be exchanged, the staff was unrelenting. The store manager did not even bother when he was reminded about the rights of a consumer. I am left with no alternative but to knock the doors of the consumer court and also to report to the media about the disregard that the Bata company has for its customers. This creates a poor image of the store. It is also a reminder to all that big brands could not care less about consumer rights. They care only for promotions and profits.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S. Wankhar,
Shillong-3