Editor
Apropos the news item “Demand for local DC” (ST 7th August 2013), the people of Ri Bhoi should perhaps look back and bear in mind that Khasi IAS officers have been posted earlier as DC, Ri Bhoi where unfortunately the tenure of some of them within the District have been very short. For this the people perhaps need to introspect as to where the fault lies because it cannot be guaranteed as to whether the next local officer will last long enough there. In contrast, there were non-local DCs who had longer tenures there. Secondly, if one is to look at Garo Hills presently, the Deputy Commissioners of all the other Districts are non locals and it is not heard if there has been any agitation against this. In fact, it is learnt that the public of Garo Hills have very good rapport with most of the non local DCs in the past which resulted in these officers being able to perform exceedingly well and most have left lasting, valuable contributions for the benefit of the public. Comparatively , the people of Ri Bhoi District are more fortunate than those in Garo Hills in the sense that there are more opportunities for them . For one, the main highway which links the capital of the State and most parts of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills Districts with the rest of India pass through a substantial part of the Ri Bhoi area and very soon it will be a four lane highway. There are more industries within the District than elsewhere and the largest industrial areas of the State comes within the District. The only functional airport of the State is within the District. The Umiam power projects, the lake and the tourist resort are also within the District . Add to these is the warm climate , fertile soil and favourable topography which make the area suitable for all kinds of field crops and horticulture crops. There is also vast potential for animal husbandry, fisheries and poultry development. The opportunities are endless. All that the people of Ri Bhoi need to do is to explore these opportunities for their socio – economic upliftment. For this, they perhaps need to have an open mind , broad thinking and the ability to adjust with people particularly from mainland India starting with those IAS officers who have been exposed to many ideas which the local people have much to gain from if they establish rapport with such officers. I feel that the people of Ri Bhoi should welcome such officers and take advantage of their services because if they ever think of alienating them they stand to lose.
Yours etc.,
Kyrchan Dkhar,
Shillong-2
Of pseudo environmentalists
Editor,
A few days ago, I was shocked to read in one of the letters about the nefarious activities of our Minister Forests and Environment. On the one hand he is very vocal about the wanton destruction of the environment but on the other hand his very own kith and kin are completely destroying the environment from Pynursla onwards by stone quarries for supply to Bangladesh. His own colleague from Umroi has completely cleaned up all the forests there to which he turns a blind eye and even the PWD of his own Government is using tonnes of wood for black topping of roads which is of least concern to him. The sad part is that now even small saplings are being cut for this and for charcoal burning which will be disastrous for the environment.
Making speeches and planting a few saplings on tree planting days does not mean that your job is done. Wake up from your dream and do your job Mr Minister or else you, your colleagues and all the self proclaimed environmentalists, who have conveniently forgotten how they have amassed wealth, will have to answer to the future generation when our State becomes a barren desert.
Yours etc.,
A S Lyngdoh,
Shillong – 4
PHE pipes
Editor,
The Public ‘Health’ Engineering Department (PHED) besides supplying water also looks after the health aspects of water which is the source of life. In the past several months the PHED has brought blue coloured pipes of different sizes to different localities of Shillong for the augmentation phase. What I fail to understand is why these pipes are dumped in the drains, by the roadside and where ever there is space. All kinds of dirt, (sewage waste from the drains, mud, slush,etc) are seen collecting inside these blue pipes as they are yet to be buried inside. I wonder how long these pipes will be left like that. When the project is complete, the water will run through these pipes which have collected all the dirt and filth. I have a suggestion to the wise engineers of the department: Why can’t there be a systematic work allotment, locality wise or zone wise, where these pipes are brought at the time when the earth is dug and pipes are ready to be laid simultaneously to avoid this unhygienic exposure. All Shillongites will one day consume the water drawn through these pipes. Please rethink the ‘Health’ aspect of the department. The Health Department of the State also may give some suggestion on this perhaps!
Yours etc.,
Reward Rymbai,
Via email