Editor,
The Executive Committee, Dorbar Shnong Lawsohtun has met inseparate meetings recently to take cognizance of the disparaging remarks made against the Rangbah Shnong of Lawsohtun and officials of the Dorbar Shnong in two separate letters (ST December 6, 2012 and ST January 5, 2013). In the first letter, “Water scarce for some, not for others”, the nameless writer made serious allegations against the Rangbah Shnong, the Secretary and one of the plumbers at the employ of the Dorbar, accusing them of “favouritism, corruption and incompetence” in the matter of water management and distribution in the village. In the second letter, “Where plumber is king”, another nameless writer endorsed the allegations of the first writer but comes down even more heavily on the hapless plumber, going to the extent of accusing him of acting “over and above everybody else”. The Executive Committee denounces the allegations of the mysterious writers as false, baseless, spiteful and mala fide.
While the committee acknowledges the presence of water problem in the village, owing to the burgeoning population growth, the officials of the Dorbar have not been sitting idle, but even as this rejoinder is being prepared, they are working furiously with the PHE Department in finalising the Underground Water Supply Scheme, which is due for completion this year.
Therefore, as the Dorbar officials concern themselves with the welfare of the populace, the Executive Committee calls upon everyone to exercise patience and restraint. It also reiterates that these officials have never shown undue favour to anyone and that their functioning is clean and above board as demonstrated by independent auditors at the recently-concluded annual village dorbar. As for the plumber, the Committee has never received any complaint from anyone regarding any wrongdoing or discourteous conduct on his part. As such, the committee cautions anyone indulging in such false and non-credible accusations in future that it may respond with a prompt legal notice.
Yours etc.,
Lam Khraw Kharbuli
Secretary,
Lawsohtun Dorbar Shnong
Bleak political scenario
Editor,
It is shocking and strange to note that every day the headlines scream about scams, ransom, rape, murder etc but no one talks about addressing the basic needs of the citizen and security. False promises are made of development and now that elections are near politicians make a pretence of visiting people, listening to miseries and getting everybody’s attention. As soon as elections are over things are pretty much the same. At this rate how can we dream of progressing from a developing to a developed country? The gap between the rich and poor is phenomenal. A huge chunk of the population is not getting food, potable water and shelter which are the basic rights of all citizens. Corruption carries on unabated. Money make the lives of the affluent go round. But the greed of voters is the reason why the wrong people are elected.
Indian politics has sunk to the abyss. There is an urgent need for transparency in the way the system works. Investigating agencies should be made completely independent and their functioning audited by the people. The present investigating agencies are directly or indirectly controlled by politicians! And even if the scam accused is caught the case remains in the files for years because the justice system of our country is also corrupt. We all know that no one is above the law but our laws are only paper tigers. They are not implemented in letter and spirit. I believe the youth of India have now awakened. If not all, at least 60% are well aware of their responsibilities towards the nation. The big question is who to vote for as our leaders when the choice is so limited. But wherever we have a choice, let us vote with responsibility. No money on earth is worth one precious vote so it’s high time to make a difference and vote judiciously.
Yours etc.,
Tushar K. De
Shillong-1