Editor,
The claim by the IT Department regarding the additional charge of Rs. 2449 per M-Tab tablet in addition to the printed price of Rs.6541 doesn`t seem to hold water at all. From the business point of view, when such a huge quantity (25,000 numbers of M-Tab tablet) is procured directly from a company, not only is a reasonable discount rate being availed, but also installing additional software to the device would be offer free.
A printed price of Rs. 6541 would mean that the company would sell profitably at Rs. 5000 (approx. including additional charge like installing new software etc). Accordingly, a total amount of Rs. 12,50,00,000 would have been spent. From the amount spent (Rs. 22,47,50,000), the question now is where is the black money of Rs. 9,97,50,000 (Rs. 22,47,50,000-12,50,00,000).
The Rs 6 crore scam appearing in the newspaper might be the minimum figure while the Rs. 10 crore can be a closed one. The veracity of the additional charge needs to be cross checked from the concerned supplier. I`m deeply surprised when the per tab printed price is Rs. 6541 where as installing additional software charge is Rs. 2449 which is unacceptable in any software related industry. The DNA of the scam might not be from the top (concerned minister and commissioner secretary) but from the subordinate officials, hence a probe (like CBI) is highly needed to unearth the truth.
Yours etc.,
Fullmoon Lyngdoh
Via email
Khasi twist of ironies
Editor,
While the voice for inclusion of women in traditional bodies is commendable and welcoming ,it is also ironic that a married Khasi male in most households, even in so called urban elite ones is still considered just a “Shong-kha” (not the head of the family ,merely a custodian of his family in his in-laws house where he stays ) It is appalling in some instances where he is not consulted in family matters because the in laws consider it not his territory. While many Khasi male may consciously deny this, deep inside his psyche he knows this is one of the factors where he staunchly defends the vanguard of keeping women out of traditional bodies to keep their bastion intact (Lambs inside the house and lion in the society) . A quid pro quo solution is to also introspect the role of a Khasi male in a matrilineal society to make him more liberal in his perception of women’s participation in traditional bodies. I might be accused of being a male chauvinist and ruffle a few feathers but I welcome any constructive feedback for a healthy debate in this matter with all sensible people. VIVE LA GENDER EQUITY.
Yours etc.,
Gerald F Kharkrang,
Via email
Be a master of your trade
Editor,
Recently I had the opportunity to travel to some rural areas in Khasi and Jaintia Hills and saw a number of activities taken up by the Soil and Water Conservation Department of Meghalaya in these areas with signboards prominently displayed . These activities ranged from construction of footpaths, roads, footbridges, community halls , tourism parks, view points , big irrigations works and even a crematorium. These are well constructed structures and would be assets for the rural communities. It is ironic, however, that in the vicinity of these assets created in Khasi and Jaintia hills there does not seem to be the actual imprint of the Soil and Water Conservation Department. We still see large scale deforestations , extensive faulty agricultural practices on steep slopes without protection, immense water resources degradation and other natural resources degradation which are not attended to by the Department. Therefore, the crores of money spent throughout by the Department will not bear the true fruits of conservation in the long run. Our precious soil will continue to be washed away and make the land infertile; many of our hills will become denuded and our water sources will become dry or contaminated. By being a jack of all trades and not a master of its own and by deviating from the Department’s true objectives it shows that the officers of the Department miss the woods for the trees. Conservation for the future is thus a farce.
We also do not see tender notices floated by the Soil and Water Conservation Department even for big construction works. It is learnt that the officers of the Department who prepare the plans and estimates draw the funds meant for the projects and then engage workers for such construction works and ultimately also complete the payment process themselves. This does not sound like a proper financial procedure and it is bound to lead to corruption. We also do not expect government officials to act like contractors. In a state where unemployment is still high, such a practice will deprive many of our entrepreneurs the opportunities to also make a living. It is high time that the Government reviews the functioning of this Department not only on the perspective of conservation but on other aspects as well.
Yours etc.,
Donbok F Syiemlieh,
Shillong-3