Editor ,
I have been following the controversy that is being played out in your newspaper involving the Director of State Resource Centre for Women and a woman activist with great concern. I feel The Shillong times is pursuing the story in a lopsided manner, projecting only the points of view of Angela Rangad, who has challenged the appointment of SRC mission director Loma Jyrwa. Your newspaper has failed to get the version of Ms Jyrwa. I gather from the reports published in the daily in the past weeks that Angela Rangad was one of the aspirants for the post, and she duly appeared for the interview and was placed as Sl. No 2 in the merit list. However, Loma Jyrwa was selected and appointed as Mission Director being at Sl. No 1 on the merit list. Surprisingly Angela had appeared for the interview without any complaints. Only after she failed to qualify did she challenge the Government and also used abusive language against senior bureaucrats.
Ms Rangad is a well educated person and has been in the forefront of activism, running various campaigns against the government. I wonder why she is now interested in a government job! She seems to be particularly craving for the Mission Director’s post. Of course, everyone has the right to pursue his or her personal ambition. I was particularly surprised at the news item under the caption ‘Loma Jyrwa yet to vacate the Chair’ published in your paper on 19 June, 2013. As an avid reader of the Shillong Times I don’t understand why the daily has to speak on behalf of Ms Rangad, when the issue is in the court.
The newspaper is also misrepresenting Ms Jyrwa by describing her under different designations. She is at times referred to as retired Deputy Director, former Director, Social Welfare, while at another time as retired Additional Director, Social Welfare. Therefore, I request you to kindly provide correct information, and not mislead your readers.
Yours etc.,
Judy Nongsiej
Shillong -1
Editor replies: Ms Angela Rangad in her petition had alleged that the Director Social Welfare had executed all the paper work to enable Ms Loma Jyrwa to qualify for the post of Mission Director, State Resource Centre for Women. The age bar of 50 years was changed by the Union Ministry for Women and Child Welfare at the behest of the State Social Welfare Dept, to accommodate Ms Jyrwa who had already attained 58 years at the time she applied for the post. Ms Rangad’s contention was that the presence of the Director Social Welfare as one of the members of the Selection Committee is legally untenable as he has been the official correspondent with the Union Min for W&CW seeking to relax the norms of appointment so that Ms Jyrwa could be accommodated to the stated post. Ms Rangad had alleged bias and prejudice against the Director, Social Welfare Dept and got a ruling in her favour in the single bench of the Meghalaya High Court. For the media, anyone pursuing justice deserves a hearing. The Government announced its intentions to contest the ruling of the Single Bench and to approach the Division Bench of the Meghalaya High Court vide an advertisement appearing in this paper on June 19.
Ms Jyrwa retired as Deputy Director, Social Welfare Department
Mine owners responsible for social unrest
Editor,
The increasing violence and crimes in the coal belt need to be taken seriously. It is spiralling out of control. Not a week passes without yet another violent crime being committed in the coal mining areas or accidental deaths in the coal pits. While there is no doubt that the State Govt. has failed to maintain law and order and to protect the rights of the downtrodden. A few questions also come to mind – what about the accountability of the coal mine owners themselves? What steps have they taken to ensure peace and stability in these areas? Do they take care of their work force or do they exploit them like slaves? Have they done anything to improve the environment or undertake developmental activities? The gap between the rich and poor in these areas is unbelievably wide and is the chief cause of social unrest. Unless steps are taken to address these concerns, I fear we will not see an end to such upheavals. I also believe that legislation must be passed to hold coal mine owners accountable for protecting the environment and upholding the rights of their workforce. Since Corporate Social Responsibility is non-existent and unlikely to be adopted voluntarily by mine owners, it should be enforced with heavy taxes and heavier penalties for avoidance. It is imperative that mine owners are forced to register their mines immediately and comply with labour and environmental laws. If that cannot be done, the only alternative is to close the mines.
Yours etc.,
R. L. Dhar,
Via email
Is the law only for the rich and powerful?
Editor,
Our State Govt asks the mine labourers to get out because they can’t protect them. Other states send their ministers to north-east asking people to return and even provide free tickets. Law and order has become a big joke in Meghalaya. Mukul Sangma may have thought he was averting a crisis with his knee-jerk reaction, but instead he has told the whole world that his administration is useless when it comes to law and order. Even if Meghalaya gets a 100 additional paramilitary battalions, the situation on the ground won’t change for the common man. That’s because the law is used to protect only the rich and powerful in Meghalaya. Everyone else can get out or die. Isn’t it, Mr Chief Minister?
Yours etc
H.S Nongbri,
Shillong-3
Krishan removed again?
Editor,
What is it with DG Prisons Kulbir Krishan? The man is being shunted from one position to another without a moment’s notice for alleged misconduct/ misdemeanours. Is he being made a scapegoat or is he really unfit? We do not hear of any other police officer being shunted around in this ignominious manner two or three times in a year. If Krishan has been removed because of the brawl inside the jail premises involving the notorious Champion Sangma, then one would ask how many top police officials were removed following Fullmoon Dhar’s jailbreak? There are many other equally serious episodes that come to mind where no senior police officer was ever punished. Can someone from the Police dept, Home dept or the media please tell us the truth? It lends a very bad image to the Police dept. and Govt. of Meghalaya when only certain officials are targeted in this manner without a sensible explanation.
Yours etc.,
Richard Shangpliang
Shillong-1