Editor,
The article “Scotland of the East-Downhill”by AH Scott Lyngdoh, made interesting reading and brought back to me nostalgic memories of Shillong Municipality just after the attainment of Meghalaya State, until the mid 1980’s. Mr. Scott has left out key events not for want of space but perhaps he was trying to be modest. The seventies were a period of restoration from the shambles of the last elected Board. The staff were not getting their regular salaries, hardly anyone was on the streets for sweeping, misappropriation of municipal taxes occurred frequently, while beating of the drum signaled the distress call of the localities suffering from acute shortage of water. All such maladies were gradually sorted out to the satisfaction of the rate payers. A unique feature of that administration was the constant interaction with ki Rangbah Shnong and the Shillong Civic Welfare Association which comprised of almost all the Rangbah Shnong of the local durbars within the municipal areas. They were consulted on all major issues and policies of the Municipality. When Ka Svnjuk ki Rangbah Shnong was not yet born, Mr. Scott had the foresight to realize the necessity of involving the local durbars for all developmental works in their localities. The Assessor appointed by the Government was directed to hold frequent meetings with the local dorbars for the purpose of the quinquennial tax assessment so that such assessment should be equitable. Similarly, the Water Works Superintendent and the Health officer were to follow the same system in running their Water Works & Health Departments respectively thus ensuring regular supply of water and regular cleaning of the service latrines and public latrines including the general sanitation in the localities.
Having streamlined the tax structure, staff salary was met from the Municipality’s tax revenue, not a single paisa coming from the coffers of the Government. It is shocking that the Government now has to bailout the Municipality to the tune of Rs. 65 lakhs per month only for staff salaries. It appeared in the press some days ago that the C.E.O. intends to revise the municipal taxes. This is most welcome and it is expected that the Government would appoint the Assessor as per provisions of the Municipal Act for this purpose. It is high time that the Government considers appointing at least an Executive Officer to assist the C.E.O. Perhaps Ka Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong should be brought on board along the lines of the then Shillong Civic Welfare Association. A second tier composed of delegates from Municipality, the Cantonment Board and other localities outside municipal units should form the Greater Shillong Development Authority. The Government may perhaps explore this possibility.
Yours etc.,
D.S. Mawlong
Shillong -4
Shillong a complete mess!
Editor,
I fully endorse the views of Barnes Mawrie in ‘Shillong – A picture of shame,’ Scotland of the East – Downhill by A.H Scott Lyngdoh and Khyndailad – A big Mess by Dominic S. Wankhar. The statement that Shillong is the Scotland of the East no longer applies now. It should instead be called the, “dustbin of the north east”. Every nook and corner of the city is littered with garbage with no proper system for waste management. The Urban Affairs Department and the Shillong Municipality have failed miserably. In early years, the Municipality engaged the sweepers twice a day. The roads were all cleaned before 9 am and by 4 pmthey were seen at work again. Where are they now? Aren’t they getting their salaries?
To talk about Khyndailad is even more shameful. The place is very congested and why on earth has the Government allowed the hawkers to do brisk business at the cost of pedestrians. They have turned the entire stretch in front of the recently built Urban Affairs complex into an eating place, blocking the sidewalk in the process. Their business increases dramatically in the evening. Who are these people? The Government should take preventive steps before it becomes a big issue.
What is the Police Department doing? Of course we appreciate the hard work of Vivek Syiem and M Kharkhrang but we request them not only to use the clamps for the wrongly parked cars but also clamp down on unauthorised hawkers as well as all those who block the pedestrians’ movement.
Yours etc.,
Emma War.
Shillong1
Will the Food Security Act work?
Editor,
Government admits that there are loopholes in the PDS system. But have they taken any action to plug these holes ? People are apprehensive rightly or wrongly that it is the politicians and their buddies (bureaucrats) /distributors etc who will take the major chunk of benefits from this scheme. 70% penetration is completely a mirage, an illusion. On the one hand politicians like Lapang say that most places cannot be reached due to topography of the land rendering PDS not very effective and on the other hand the Government t says there will be 70% penetration. Why this discrepancy ? How do we reconcile such pronouncements or admissions? In any case our Government cannot let go of this wonderful scheme and must make it work. If necessary let a few heads roll but they must make it a success. Sure there have been no starvation deaths In Meghalaya or any tribal North Eastern state but that is because of the social structure of tribal society. One would be surprised to see ordinary people desperately waiting for the PDS rations to be delivered at local stores. We sincerely hope this Government take it upon themselves to make it work .AMEN!
Yours etc.,
Nesfield Sangma