Editor,
With reference to the front-page headline news items appearing in the ST for the last two days (April 10&11)on the subject of the site selection for the new Assembly Building I would like to put on record the following .
It is with profound delight and a sense of huge relief that we greet the decision to shift the site for the new Meghalaya Legislative Assembly building from Tara Ghar to some other location. On behalf of all those civil society organisations and individuals who had lent both their moral and financial support to make the above happen, we take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude. Firstly to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues who had taken the initiative to move this historic resolution in the house. Thank you. To all the members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly who in their collective wisdom have risen once again to protect the environment and history of this beloved city of ours. Through this resolution, Meghalaya has broken a jinx that has haunted it for too long. For once we have been able to reach out for the betterment of the future and left the past to where it rightly belongs. Thank you honourable ladies and gentlemen. Last but not least to the people of Shillong and the citizens of Meghalaya who had been with us throughout in their firm belief that all of us deserve a better future. Thank you. And a debt of gratitude to our legal advisors and senior advocates, Siddharth Dey and Bivan Ngapkynta who took up the PIL on our behalf pro-bono!
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah President ICARE
(On behalf of all who had participated in the
struggle against the Taraghar proposal)
A correction
Editor,
Apropos Mr RG Lyngdoh’s letter crediting me with the signature campaign against Tara Ghar I would like to clarify that the signature campaign to raise awareness about the plight of Tara Ghar was initiated by Avana Swer, Lasoki Sumer, Valden Pariat and others. I joined them later. I never led that campaign at all.
Yours etc.,
Avner Pariat,
Youth4Change (Y4C)
Via email
Dumping of waste
Editor,
I wish to bring to the notice of the concerned authorities that two dumper trucks – one bearing Reg. No. ML05J 6768 and one unregistered were caught at Mawroh at 12 midnight of April 09, 2013 trying to dump waste from the MUDA complex Police Bazar. The drivers said one Bah Roming sent them to dump the waste from the MUDA Complex. We hear talk from all quartes that we must keep Shillong clean but no one is willing to accept this responsibility. Is this the way the MUDA has chosen to keep its premises clean while dumping this waste on us? This road to the Shillong airport has been under construction for the past two years with no end in sight and has been a dumping ground for all and sundry. We have taken the initiative to try and teach people some civic sense by putting up signboards against littering but if an institution of the government like the MUDA itself does this then what can the public do except follow suit. It is time to call an end to the nuisance of yearly cleaning of localities and insist that everyone take the responsibility of keeping their own corner clean and on a daily basis. Wahumkhrah, Umshyrpi, Umiam lake Shillong viewpoint, Wards Lake and all of Shillong is a dumping ground and a shame for all of us. Let someone take responsibility and not pass the buck.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Sandi Syiem
Via email