Editor,
It is indeed outrageous to see how far our politicians can go (ST 21 January 2014 Proposal to buy use land for reforestation program). When the joint inspection team found what the environmental groups have claimed all along that the cement companies operating in the Narpuh area of the state are violating the environmental laws, instead of punishing the companies the Government is proposing to allow companies to buy more land. The government now wants to reward them instead of punishing them for violating the law.
What the government should do is to make the companies declare how much land do they have in their procession now? Is it not true that the majority of people in the area have sold their land to the companies? Does the government know that these people have become landless now? And still we want to sell more land to the corporate houses. I have travelled throughout the length and breadth of Narpuh elaka and have seen signs indicating that land is owned by the companies almost everywhere.
The Companies should pay hefty fines not only for destroying the environment but for blatant violation of environment laws. The state government should make the companies reclaim all the land and rivers that they have destroyed as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. Why should we give them more land when they already have enough to last them for a life time? Let them begin by reclaiming the mines that they have already exploited.
Yours etc.,
H.H.Mohrmen
Via email.
Of health centres and holidays
Editor,
Apropos the news item” NEIGRIHMS Director terms news item ‘mischievous'(ST 17TH Jan 2014) it is unexpected that the Director would term the news item of the Shillong Times relating to the closure of the hospital OPD on account of Eid-e Milad-un Nabi as mischievous and with a potentially communal tinge. I am sure that the news item published by the newspaper is in public interest and that there is no ulterior motive behind it. For the information of the management of NEIGRIHMS, generally people in this part of the country are not aware in advance of many Central Government or State Government holidays except for the major holidays and Sundays. Therefore it is to be expected that many would flock to any hospital on all other days for availing treatment and they would naturally be disappointed and even annoyed when the hospital OPD is unexpectedly closed. Those coming from far distance especially are adversely affected since it not only involves travel expenses and loss of time but more importantly they have to bear the discomfort of not being able to get the much needed medical attention in time. The suggestion made by some for the Institute to put up notices of holidays in the hospital notice boards from now on to make people aware in advance will not be practical as the majority of those who come to the hospital on all OPD days may not be regular visitors. In any case most patients or their escorts would neither have the time nor the inclination to look at such notices . For the illiterate or poorly educated it would be of no use either. Therefore, unless the Institute Management devises suitable alternatives to provide information in advance about holidays to the public, it would be appropriate for the Management to take the news report in a positive note and perhaps with a little balancing act from their side make suitable arrangements in the OPD for out- patients during the many holidays. Not everyone among the medical staff celebrate Christmas, Eid, Diwali or Durga Puja at the same time. It is up to the Institute management to apply wisdom for a pragmatic solution to the problem so that the patient’s interest are best served without affecting its own teams. Such caring consideration combined with the excellent service that the Institute has provided so far and hopefully in the future too will further enhance its prestige and its good reputation.
Yours etc.,
K L Tariang,
Via email