Editor,
It is most disheartening to observe the treatment of the present Modi government meted out to the states of the north east particularly Meghalaya. The face of the BJP is gradually becoming clear in its dealing with this region. First, the unprecedented floods in Garo Hills had resulted in untold misery to the people of this area.
The state government has projected the need for central financial aid to address this calamity. However, not a penny has come from the Modi government. Assam too got just peanuts for their floods! Then we have the recent inauguration of the railways from Mendipathar in North Garo Hills to Guwahati which put Meghalaya on the railway map of the country. The PM did not even bother to flag off the train from Mendipathar. It could not have been for security reasons as he could have travelled by helicopter to the venue. The same treatment was given to Mizoram.
Thirdly, the central government is not bothering to fill up the post of Vice Chancellor of North Eastern Hill University even though it has been in government for six months. This post has been lying vacant for almost two years! But it has been very quick to fill up the same position in the Banaras Hindu University which fell vacant not too long ago!
Lastly, the Modi government has suspended the implementation of the NEIIPP 2007 schemes in all eight states of the north east. This will very much affect the industrial development of the region. Perhaps this is what the Modi government secretly desires!
Yours etc.,
Sertush B. Marak
Upper Chandmari
Tura 794002.
Of cats, dogs and broken homes
Editor,
While Cats and Dogs found mention in the recently concluded Assembly Session, it is most unfortunate that the burning problem of broken homes further aggravated by the fact that more and more families are living below the poverty line with every ten yearly census and the increasing number of street children in our state, did not get the attention of the House.
In the recent celebration of “International Child Rights Day” on the 20th November, 2014 the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills District Mr.Sanjay Goyal had made a very relevant observation as quoted from Press Reports, “The most common problem in Meghalaya is single parentage and broken family. This phenomenon is higher in Meghalaya compared to other states. However, most of us are not willing or comfortable to discuss this problem,” Mr. Goyal said.
“We need to have a discussion on it. This is a very critical issue because if you talk about child rights you first have to think why this issue comes up in the first place,” he added.
On such an important issue one would have expected the Government to be questioned on the delay in framing effective rules for implementing the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act passed more than 2 years ago in 2012.
Yours etc.,
Michael N. Syiem,
Via email
Sending the wrong signals
Editor,
It was with much appreciation that I read and now wish to comment on an excellent report on the 30th Nov by this newspaper’s Reporter regarding the “Use of wrong signals major cause of accidents” highlighting a very real danger that exists on our roads. It has driven me to follow up that article, with these thoughts.
As drivers continue to indicate with wrong signals, driving in the city or the National Highways will become increasingly unsafe. Take for example, using hazard lights to signal you are going straight on at a junction. Actually, you signal the hazard usually, when you stop in a..…hazardous situation!
When you drive straight, you just drive straight…….. And you signal left when you want to take a left and unbelievably, you signal right, when you want to take a right. In the event of hill driving, a vehicle indicating that it is safe for an overtaking vehicle to pass, should use the left indicator andconsequently slow down and keep to the left side of the road. Believe it or not…The public can’t be blamed. They don’t know.
If we continue down this path of driving and using incorrect signals, as the roads get better and wider and the consequential increase in speed, there will also be an increase in the frequencyof dangerous road accidents. And who in their right mind would want this?
It is incumbent upon the State and/or the Central Government to frame and produce Guidelines and regulations for Road driving in a Booklet – and then ensure the public is educated in how to drivecorrectly. There should also be an enhanced Code for Public Service Vehicle drivers. The
Government should drive the message through a high-profile public awareness Campaign and progressively collaborate with all Institutions to promote it Statewide. Nevertheless, it also my sad duty to point out, that a lot of advice provided on Indian Government websites are woefully inadequate. Take for example on the website, “ trafficsigns.co.in” under the section, Guidelines –
“People are recommended to keep their pockets in rear pocket and never in their trouser or rear pockets”. Much improvement needed there.
Then and only then, effective change will commence and we can all drive a little more safely and sensibly. And who in their right mind does not want this?
Yours etc.,
Jeanette Street,
Via email
What success rate is this Mr DGP?
Editor
DGP P.J.P. Hanaman’s claim of “high success rate” against militancy comes at a time when the Home Minister of Meghalaya has tendered her resignation taking moral responsibility for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. This makes the DGP’s statement appear foolish, if not downright banal. Hanaman is desperately trying to uplift his image by basing this “high success rate” on the hurried pact with ANVC which has had no positive impact on the law and order situation in Garo Hills so far. No doubt this “success rate” will go through the roof once the Govt stages another farcical surrender by the dead-as-a-dodo HNLC. What Hanaman has done with these staged surrenders is to encourage people to turn to militancy to make a quick buck and nothing more! Our DGP is nearing the end of his shelf life and wants to go out with a bang instead of a whimper by making tall claims which have little impact on the ground. The “S.M.A.R.T” lesson by Prime Minister Modi was wasted on this particular gentleman it seems!
Yours etc.,
Reuben Marak,
Via email