Editor,
I am constructing a dwelling house and require professional masons, carpenters, etc. I managed to get licenses for them from the District Council, but after a week’s time some KSU activists came and chased away the labourers. When I showed them the licenses issued by District Council, the same miscreants snatched them away and refused to listen to my explanations saying that the license issued by the District Council is not acceptable.
Now the question is whether District Council is a constitutional body. If yes, then why is the license issued by them not acceptable? If not, then why are we giving importance to this Institution? Why are we investing crores of rupees in running the Councils and paying the over-staffed Councils which includes the MDCs, officers and staff of this, “unconstitutional” body. Why should the State Government spend hefty sum of money in conducting MDC elections?
I request the Chief Minister, the Central Government and the Parliament to take a decision as to whether we should retain the District Councils or do away with these Institutions. I think the concept of District Councils is outdated. We should reduce conflict of interests and simplify issues to free the citizens from confusion. Someone should knock the doors of the Court on this.
Yours etc.,
T L Bareh,
Shillong- 1
A school disappears
Editor,
I was shocked to hear that a school named St. Dominic RC.L.P. School Deinshynrum which ran for a few years, disappeared before the year 2005. This school was run by the Parish Priest of Khliehriat Parish along with the Members of Salang Roman Catholic Deinshynrum. After the school closed the two teachers were transferred to Holy Family English School Khliehriat Parish. Now the Khliehriat Parish and the members of Salang Catholic Deinshynrum should clarify why this school closed arbitrarily. I want this school to be restored to Deinshynrum Village, for the benefit of the children of Salang Roman Catholic Deinshynrum and the villagers. Many villagers are sad at the closure of this school. Allegations are that the school closed on account of the carelessness of the Secretary and the Chairman of the Salang Roman Catholic Deinshynrum.
Yours etc.,
Mai Nongtdu
Deinshynrum.
East Jaintia Hills
NGO menace
Editor,
Apropos to the letters relating to NGOs ( ST July 29, 2013) I would further apprise the readers that everywhere in Meghalaya the development programmes have moved at turtle pace because of non availability of labourers. The root cause is that of late NGOs have been over active in chasing out labourers from the state. These NGOs have become hurdles to development. Each and every good intention of the government is being opposed by NGOs. A spineless and corrupt Government further facilitates the NGOs to take undue advantage instead of correcting the wrongs. RTI has been a tool for NGOs to blackmail corrupt people. RTI has made some NGO leaders rich overnight. This has further encouraged studious children to leave their studies and join NGOs. Time is not far when almost each and every family will have at least an NGO member just like Manipur. Crime rate will rise because Police are reluctant to arrest members of NGOs even if they commit crime (a reverse of Joe Marwein’s statement). Crime can reduce when unemployment is attended to properly and this can happen only when there is development. Since no one can stop population growth, likewise it would be disastrous to stop development.
Therefore, before Meghalaya goes to the dogs, I request the Mukul Sangma Government to take a firm stand and face the challenges and also move ahead with the programmes and policies of the Government. It is time to take drastic steps against these destructive NGOs. This Government has the mandate of the people of Meghalaya to do so. The NGOs do not have the peoples’ mandate because we did not elect them. They are self-imposed, self-styled leaders. Take the examples of other Chief Ministers like Nitish Kumar, Omar Abdullah, Sheila Dikshit who move ahead in spite of all odds. Meghalaya deserves better!
Yours etc.,
Bernard. L Wahlang
Shillong -5