Editor,
In her article “Will political parties derive lessons from AAP?” (ST Jan 14 Jan,2014) Patricia Mukhim stated that humility is endearing and the Chief Minister should by all accounts set an example of austerity here in Meghalaya where about 66% of the electorate are very poor and not assured of two square meals a day. I may also add that a large number of our people in the rural areas still have thatched roofs over their homes and bamboo walls with mud floors. I think a large majority of the poor are in Garo Hills Our rural folks have still a long way to go. Yet our CM wants to live like a super star in a palatial house made out of public money. Therefore, I think it’s not about austerity and humility only but it’s also about conscience. I wonder why Taraghar is not convenient for our Chief Minister after a bit of face lift. Some of our previous Chief Ministers used to live there.
Yours etc.,
T.Lang
Ladthalaboh, Jowai
Not SBI goof-up this one
Editor,
Apropos the news report titled “SBI GOOF UP” appearing in the Shillong Times (ST January 17, 2014 ) I would like to bring some issues to the knowledge of those of my colleagues who have taken “exception” to Good Friday not appearing as a holiday in the list of holidays 2014.As employees of the Bank they should at least be aware of the following facts before shooting off their feelings of “exception” to the press:
(1) State Bank of India does not declare or manufacture its own holidays or holiday lists.
(2) Bank Holidays in India are guided by the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881.
(3) Holiday List under NI Act 1881 is declared by the State government, and not by the Bank.
(4) As per Annexure II (No. GAA.85/2013/14) dated 19/11/2013 signed by the Under Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya GA [A] Deptt, (a copy of which is with me and available for perusal by my colleagues), Good Friday 18/04/2014 is NOT listed as a Holiday.
(5) The Bank’s Holiday List for 2014 was based on the above referred Notification and not a creation of the Bank itself.
Yous etc.,
Devadeep Dasgupta
Shillong
On PM nominees
Editor,
Apropos to the news “CWC decision on Rahul not being named PM nominee final:Sonia.” (ST 18th January 2014). Mrs Sonia Gandhi, President INC rightly put an end to the debate to anoint Rahul Gandhi, Vice President, INC as Prime Ministerial candidate. Rahul Gandhi has also rightly stated that the elected MPs of the Indian National Congress would elect the new Prime Minister in accordance with the Constitution. This is appropriate as there is no provision in the Indian Constitution for a Prime Ministerial candidate before the Lok Sabha election. Aping the US is sure madness when we cannot match their democratic process. We must not forget that India adopted the British form of Parliamentary Democracy after Independence. It would be suicidal for political parties in India to ape the US form of government when we do not have that kind of political and constitutional structure in place.
Yours etc.,
Bajop Pyngrope,
Via email