Monday, December 16, 2024
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Corrigendum

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Editor,
In the article titled, “Schedule VI & Transfer of Land (Reg.) Act, 1971: RIP” by the undersigned (ST February 4, 2015), there were inadvertent omissions of the words “Fifth and” before the word Sixth Schedules in the 53rd line and the word “Sixth” before the word Schedule in the 63rd line of paragraph 2. The error is regretted.
 Yours etc.,
  Morning Star Sumer,
   Shillong – 2

Justice cannot be delayed

Editor,
Apropos to Rangdajied Marwein’s letter (ST Jan 31, 2015) captioned, ‘Violating NGT Order is contempt of court too,’ I agree with what he says. In this present world money talks louder than reason and the law. When the bourgeois/capitalist suffers due to the ban on coal mining the news is flashed in the local newspapers on a regular basis. The capitalists use the plebeian to fight for their own benefit,  An  unsung hero like Pearlystone Joshua Marbaniang, was shot to death because he performed his duties sincerely. Will justice ever be given to him? His sincerity, loyalty and dedication to his work was a threat to the evil and illegal acts of the unknown (mafia) Is this  the reason why  he was killed? Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere as the Great Martin Luther King said. It is also commonly said that justice delayed is justice denied. So let’s see how the ends of justice are met and whether the killers of PJ Marbaniang will ever be brought to book.
As a conclusion I quote from a popular saying, ‘Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you’re a man, you take it. But if this same exhortation is practised by the dons and mafias of our state who are anarchists what will happen to Meghalaya?
Marx Mawphniang,
(Student)
Via emai

Whither poverty alleviation?

Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I wish to highlight a few observations which are severely affecting the pedestrians at large, but more importantly the hawkers who eke out their livelihood amidst the constant risk of being run over by moving vehicles and the ire of passers-by. This problem which has grown into a menace needs a long term solution, taking into account the safety of all and the livelihood of those who brave the vagaries of weather and without shelter just to eke out a livelihood. This is a plight that is increasingly eating into the space commonly used by pedestrians in market areas in the busiest parts of Shillong.
The economic hardship faced by the hawkers has compelled them to take this step in spite of being aware that they are a thorn in the flesh of pedestrians and commuters. Politicians in power have addressed this issue but only to get media space. What one fails to understand is the lack of commitment on the part of the political authority to solve this issue which is fraught with ambiguities.
Late Chief Minister, E K Mawlong had engaged the Union Ministry of Defence into partly accepting his proposal of handing over certain areas under the Ministry to the state government for public convenience. The parking lots across the city are a result of EK Mawlong’s efforts. He had opined then that the congestion at Iewduh and Khyndailad areas can best be addressed if a suitable land within the periphery of the city can be developed to accommodate the hawkers along with parking facility.
While laying the foundation stone for the parking facility at Khyndailad and Qualapatty, he had mentioned about the poverty alleviation component of these facilities which he had undertaken during his tenure. At the Khyndailad Parking cum shopping complex, we see the complete absence of poverty alleviation but the furthering of businesses at the expense of the then Ministry of Urban & Poverty Alleviation. The same principle has been upheld in the Pahsyntiew complex near District Council at Qualapatty.
Then we are told that the parking cum shopping facility at Qualapatty is just a quarter of the master plan which was to have included the huge area under occupation by one (L) J N Bawri, contiguous to the already built up complex. We are also made to understand that the Ministry of Defence had released the land to the state government but petty litigations then had silenced the Government till date. Is the interest of a business house more important than public requirement?
Pressure groups like the FKJGP and KSU had taken up the matter in 2013-14 but  progress was hindered because of their preoccupation with more pressing issues.
Imagine if the hawkers had a market of their own under a secure roof, along with ample parking space, would it not be milestone in Shillong’s history of development? And wouldn’t the congestion in the areas in question be suitably addressed? Then, no concerned group can dictate the eviction of hawkers from footpaths and roadsides. I urge the authorities concerned to take note of this issue and judiciously set the ball rolling, before something unfortunate happens and is reported in the front page of newspapers.
Yours etc.,
A F Dkhar.
Shillong-2

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