Editor,
The editorial, “Vandalism on churches” (ST Feb 4, 2015) was very relevant and gives expression to the sentiments of anxiety felt by many a Christian. However, it mentions President Barack Obama as the first Catholic president of USA. President Obama did attend a Catholic school but he was never baptised a Catholic. The first and only Roman Catholic President of USA has been late John F Kennedy.
Yours etc.
Fr. Jose,
Bishop’s House
Tura
On NOCs, Govt, headmen and the people
Editor,
Apropos the news item “City headmen to defy HC order on NOC” (ST 1ST Feb 2015) it was reported that the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya has directed the State Government to stop asking people to obtain NOCs from headmen (Rangbah Shnong). So far, I have not seen any news report that a circular has been issued by the Government for this direction to take effect. It is therefore a discomfiture for the Rangbah Shnong who will not be able to confidently exercise their obligation to their citizens and who would hesitate to issue NOCs for now because of the ambiguity around this issue. The citizens will also be at a disadvantage if the authorities with whom they will have to deal still insist on such NOCs in the absence of precise instructions from the Government to these authorities. The Government therefore needs to decide quickly if NOCs are to be issued at all by the Rangbah Shnong and to finalize the type of NOCs that can be issued by them which can be recognized by the Government, public sectors and private organizations. As of now, it is certainly an irritant that NOCs have to be issued by the Rangbah Shnong for purposes which are irrelevant to their functions.
Leaving NOCs apart, it was also reported in the same issue of the newspaper that the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong, the apex body of the Rangbah Shnong of Greater Shillong region would move the Government for recognition of the Rangbah Shnong though their roles, powers, responsibilities and other relevant matters as defined only recently by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council are still under consideration. Even so the Government can adopt a positive attitude at this intention of the Synjuk because we cannot overlook the fact that it has in many instances been dependent on the Rangbah Shnong for assistance be it for development purposes, maintaining law and order, dealing with natural calamities and the aftermath, propagation of its objectives and a host of other initiatives and purposes it desires to achieve. The Rangbah Shnong, have in most cases delivered on the expectations of the government provided that their cooperation is sought for.
In the absence of a foolproof alternative authority in place for local administration which seems inconceivable in the present scenario, the Rangbah Shnong are obviously the most suitable partners to collaborate with the government towards achieving the goals of good governance. With defined roles and responsibilities and with appropriate administrative powers by building their capacity to improve and to grasp new ideas and also to adjust with changing times, these Rangbah Shnong will certainly bring in positive outcomes. Lastly, a few rotten apples in a crate do give the impression that the other apples are bad too. But then, this is a universal inference on all form of organizations be it in the government or private organizations because, after all, not all are infallible everywhere. Though the task is challenging, the onus is on the leaders of the Synjuk to ensure that transparency, uniformity and integrity of its members are maintained. Ultimately, it is the citizen’s consciousness, sincerity and commitment to contribute towards positive change which matters the most .
Yours etc.,
K.L.Tariang,
Via email