Editor,
Apropos the letter to the Editor (ST May 8, 2014), titled CMs. Golf Tournament 2013- a Shame and Sham, the organizing Committee is appalled and shocked at the attempt of the writer to bring in a controversy where non exists through false allegations. It is a malicious attempt to malign the image of some members of the Committee and obviously the mysterious writer has some axe to grind. None of the allegations has any truth in them when in fact every aspect of the tournament from hospitality, actual tournament in the course, stay food and transport were taken care of meticulously ensuring outstation golfers’ comfort and well-being till they are dropped back to the place of departure.
The give-aways and trophies were of exceptional quality and this can be confirmed from the firm these items were procured. The writer can come forward and the address of this firm in Kolkata will be provided to him/her for confirmation of the quality and even the price of each item in the giveaways and prizes. Through this letter in your esteemed daily we urge the writer of this letter to come out in the open and prove his/her accusation otherwise the organizing committee will be compelled to file an FIR and proceed with legally against the person responsible for this reckless act to malign the organizing committee.
Further, the writer should kindly identify the Club he/she belongs to because all individuals were invited through their respective Clubs only.
Yours etc.,
M Rapsang,
Shillong
Intriguing silence from pro-ILP
Editor,
Coal mining, especially the unscientific rat hole mining carried out in Meghalaya is characterised by a singular phenomenon. Because of the low coal seam, average 21/2 to 3 ft, mostly child labour is used. This type of mining demands low wage labourers with high casualty probability among such labourers. Labourers, mostly illegal Bangladeshi and Nepali migrants, because of their illegal status prefer to remain unregistered with the authorities. This suits the mine owners who make these labourers work in dangerous sub human conditions. Illegal migrants can hardly afford to raise their voices on human rights issues but their unregistered status enables them to eventually integrate themselves into the local society. This is the real influx
The National Green Tribunal ban on this type of coal mining seen from a different perspective is an anti influx and pro ILP initiative. If rat hole mining is banned then illegal influx into the state of Meghalaya will also be drastically cut. Illegal migrants present will be forced to leave which is exactly what the pro ILP groups are demanding. The Govt was held to ransom; people murdered with petrol bombs; the economy of the state shattered because 13 NGOs wanted a stop to influx. Now when it is handed to them in a platter, they maintain a sullen silence. The public is entitled to an answer to this mystery. The NGOs must answer whether they support the ban or oppose it and why. The entire state cannot be taken for a ride by a group that does not even know what it wants.
Yours etc.,
Bahniman Rynjah
BSNL’s pathetic service
Editor,
This is to bring to light the current pathetic plight of BSNL’s service in Tura. Over the past two months the landline and broadband services have been dismal. Frantic callers to our office have missed their date with important matters. The linesmen do respond to our requests to rectify the problems, but the services are short-lived. I cannot comment about Cell One because from what I’ve heard it is the worst cellular service provider. The linesmen keep telling us that the wires have to be unearthed and changed. Time and time again this is the reason that they cite. The question is whether BSNL is using inferior materials. Why do these lines need to be changed from time to time and roads tampered with in order to rectify the problems? What is irritating is that the bills never miss their date and if one happens to be late by a day or two in paying the same, the service is suspended. Why doesn’t BSNL show the same promptness in bringing about faster and satisfactory service? Out of 30 days the broadband service hardly works for a week or two after which we have to go to the office, file a complaint and wait for the linesmen to turn up. When they eventually do, the only thing we see is a person hanging on for his dear life from a pole and making calls to God alone knows who. The service is then restored for a day or two and then the problem recurs. It is time that BSNL shows some professionalism and accountability to its customers.
Yours etc.,
FB Lyngdoh,
CAU Tura
Modi is indeed in!
Editor,
Apropos the editorial “Modi In”( ST May 15, 2014), Exit Polls seem to confirm what Opinion Polls had forecasted earlier. All Exit Polls had forecasted a win for NDA though there has been considerable divergence among them on the final outcome. Experts were divided on Exit Poll and this is natural given that they were wrong in the past. Now that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will form the next Government, its political management skills would be put to test in the Rajya Sabha. Let us not forget that no single political party has managed a simple majority in Lok Sabha since 1989, the situation has prevailed in Rajya Sabha for a longer period. With 64 members in a house of 240, the National Democratic Alliance may find it difficult to get its legislation agenda through in Parliament. A simple majority in the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) is crucial for any government to carry out its legislative agenda and so no ruling party can govern effectively without cooperation from both friendly parties and the principal opposition. Let us also not forget that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had to lean heavily on the BJP in getting key bills to do with economic reforms. The BJP led NDA is short of 121 required for a simple majority in Rajya Sabha. At the moment 60 bills are pending in the Rajya Sabha. Once the 15th Lok Sabha (House of the People) is dissolved the bills will lapse. It remains to be seen what governance would be like in the most poorly educated democracy of the world.
Yours etc.,
Vijay Lyngdoh,
Via email
Modi the undisputed leader
Editor,
Despite the Congress party’s shameful and senseless brouhaha underscoring Modi for his humble roots of being just a CHAIWALLA, the Congress have been stonewalled by Electorate 2014. They had failed to read Sheila Dixit’s shameful defeat as a premonition of their fate today. One can now state that Narendra Modi has ensured the BJP juggernaut was right on course and steamrolled the UPA into oblivion post elections 2014. All the Congress loud-mouthed spokespersons are nowhere to be heard or seen and smarting from their non-existent confidence of a sliver of hope that the exit polls would be proved wrong. Now begins a new chapter for the BJP and under the able leadership of Narendra Modi. People have voted for Modi and decisively thrown out the non-performing Congress party into the wilderness. India 2014 hence must proceed to progress and we now have a visionary leader to take us forward to a developed Bharat. Indeed Mera Bharat Mahaan does have a new spirited meaning for every aspiring and hopeful Indian.
Yours etc.,
Lewis Sooting,
Via email