Editor,
Reference my letter (ST Nov 7, 2014), a small printing error has occurred. Shillong will turn 150 years in the year 2024 and not 2022 as published. The error is regretted.
Yours etc
T. Mark,
Via email
Ban or boon to the environment
Editor,
Apropos to Erwin K Syiem Sutnga’s article (ST Nov 6, 2014) which has indeed provided some insights into land rights as well as issues related to various provisions of the law, the writer however misses the point that rights over our tribal status is already guaranteed by the Constitution of India through the respective district councils. But those rights over our land over cannot override environmental concerns. Natural resources are a community asset and cannot be at the disposal of only a few people who have exploited the environment through injudicious digging of coal and limestone from beneath the earth. There is a difference between exploitation because of greed rather and use of resources for the greater good. To use underground resources for development, trade and commerce is well understood, however till today the coal activity in parts of Khasi and Jaintia hills has not enabled any form of enterprise that our people would benefit from and which would have given them a stake-holdership. In short there has been more displacement of agricultural activities and forest lands which affect the common people. Undeveloped roads, lack of basic health facilities, lack of clean drinking water etc. are some issues that the coal mine owners or so called welfare organizations have never taken seriously. They have only plundered the environment to the hilt. If at all the Land Transfer Act of our State has been a shield to protect the land rights of our people, why could it not protect local communities from exploitation by cement companies? And how could so many such firms be allowed to violate the Land Transfer Act?
Yours etc.,
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-3
Stop political appointment to DSC
Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to express my concern about the untrustworthiness of the Williamnagar District Selection Committee (DSC). With each result declared by the committee people of Williamnagar are losing their faith in the credibility of this institution. It may be recalled that the advertisement for the number of posts of Lower Divisional Assistant and Sectional Assistant was given in the year 2011 for which the written exam was conducted on 2012 and the result declared in 2013.The results declared by the Committee was created serious doubts and rightly so. Therefore, some of the candidate filed an RTI and so the Personal Interview got delayed. While the case against Sectional Assistant got clearance from the Court and the Committee successfully conducted an interview, the case against the post of LDA is still pending and the Interview is yet to be conducted.
As expected, I’ve heard that some of the candidates have again filed an RTI against the recently declared results for DEO under Labour Department. For how long can we as concerned citizens and aspirants for Government jobs have to bear up with this sort of corrupt practices by the Selection Committee. I hope the people of Williamnagar will wake up sooner than latter and unite to fight against such corruption. Corruption will continue as long as the members of the DSC are politically appointed.
Yours etc.,
Alvaro Marak
Kusimkolgre,
Williamnagar -794111
Spurious statements
Editor,
Barnes Mawrie, in his article published in your daily (ST Nov 4, 2014 ) has cunningly attempted to spew venom against the ‘Deficit School’ teachers. Anybody can see through his filthy mindset. It is sad that people like him could stoop so low to demean a section of the teaching community. This has affected not only the feeling of the teachers of this community but their families and close ones as well. It is the constitutional right of every citizen to agitate against any authority when met with injustices and inequalities. Today, no one is absolute and the omnipotent era has become obsolete a long time ago. We are all bound by the law of the land; therefore if there are any grievances to be redressed one is expected to move through proper channel.
Mawrie mentioned a particular school and tried to deliberately mislead the reading public perhaps to win sympathy and to indirectly bring in a totalitarian rule under the guise of discipline. Instead of suppressing the voices of dissent of the teaching community it would be better for Mawrie to point out what qualities the principals should possess in order to become capable administrators. He should also point out the flaws in the administration that are existing in many schools in our state. Besides that, he should also speak out about the existence of ‘GHOST TEACHERS’ in some of the schools in our state.
In future, Mawrie is requested to avoid the practice of slicing down the teachers but rather, to first get to the truth before penning down anything. Lastly, what is amusing to know is that Don Bosco from Turin, 200 years ago had a ‘GOAL OF EDUCATION TO MAKE GOOD HINDUS AND GOOD MUSLIMS’!!! Is not Mr. Mawrie kidding? Here too, he is advised not to unnecessarily drag the fair name of Don Bosco to gain mileage for his personal interests.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
(Deficit school teachers).