Editor,
It is becoming increasingly apparent that the police is doing everything in its power to help the coal mafia get away with violating the NGT ban on coal mining. One hears of daily arrests of truck drivers, handymen and sometimes even truck owners for transporting coal illegally. But isn’t it strange that one never hears of any coal mine owner being arrested for the same reason? The buck seems to stop with the truck driver or the truck owner, as per the twisted logic of our policemen. In every such instance, the mine owner’s name is never mentioned in the newspapers. This is clear indication that MLP is being paid off by coal mine owners. The truck owner/driver is the designated fall guy, no doubt for a handsome remuneration from mine owners. Moreover, we never hear of any mine owner being arrested for resumption of coal mining when it is common knowledge that the mafia has started mining all over again. One wishes that NGT passes an order to make the DGP or Acting DGP personally liable for the antics of Meghalaya Police which has brought shame and ridicule to brother law enforcement agencies of this country. It is too much to expect that our policemen will take serious action against the coal mafia unless their own careers are at stake. What is going on right now in the name of law enforcement is just one big joke being played on the people of Meghalaya by politicians and policemen!
Yours etc.,
Sophia Kharshiing
Shillong-4
Plight of college teachers
Editor,
Through your newspaper I wish to draw the attention of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization to the plight of the “College Post” employees in most colleges in the state. It is public knowledge the state government has a moratorium on sanctioning of new posts ( both teaching and non-teaching) in colleges of the state. However, because of the demand to introduce new courses, colleges have resorted to appointing what they call “College Post” teaching and non-teaching staff. Even though persons appointed to such posts hold necessary qualifications and are appointed through a standard screening process, the remuneration and working conditions of the persons are far from ideal and the gap between the government sanctioned “UCG Posts” and “College Posts” is rather large. Most colleges have not issued even appointment or confirmation letters to the appointed staff. They also don’t enjoy any other benefits apart from pay. No service rules exist leaving them at the mercy of the management.
Another glaring omission on the part of the some college authorities is that these appointees are not granted any social service benefits. Most colleges do not offer them any Provident Fund scheme which under law is mandatory once the number of such employees crosses 20 ( Hence my desire to draw the attention of EPFO in the beginning of the letter ).
Apart from the above the salary offered to such appointees varies widely. Some colleges offer a “state scale” whereby they are paid a basic salary and dearness allowance. However, the dearness allowance does not increase regularly thus defeating the purpose of giving such an allowance and even if it does, the amount is not commensurate to the inflation (as happens with salaries of state and central government employees) Another point about such appointments is the variation in the type of college posts. While some have full time appointment status, others are appointed on a contractual basis while being told to take more classes and other work compared to UGC post teachers but offered peanuts in terms of salary. In such a scenario I feel the government and the concerned authorities should look into the matter and come up with a comprehensive proposal that is implemented across all colleges in the state. If we want quality education the least we can do is to offer the persons responsible for imparting that education the basic facilities that they most rightly deserve.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Thanking you.
Swine Flu epidemic
Editor,
Through your esteemed daily I would like to draw the attention of the Government and the Health Department in particular about the Swine Flu epidemic in the country. Already 2 (two) cases of H1N1 have been detected in the North East ( Dimapur & Aizwal ). The Govt should immediately take up measures of storing & making available the requisite medicines and also set up a testing lab at the earliest. I don’t think even the NEIGHRIMS has got enough facility of testing Swine Flu cases. The Health Department should therefore equip itself with proper infrastructure to fight this menace.
Yours etc.,
S L Singhania
Shillong -1