Editor,
The recent letter appearing in the Shillong Times captioned “Notice to Sanbor Shullai” (ST September 29, 2015) by T.R Skhemlon is a political conspiracy against Mr Sanbor Shullai to tarnish his image. Mr T.R Skhemlon is unaware of the fact that the plot of land where the RLSSCO building is standing was allotted to Mr. George Arthur Warjri as he was the General Secretary. The said plot of land stands till date in the name of the General Secretary and not under the name of Mr Sanbor Shullai as alleged. It is also clarified that the land is being used for the purpose it was allotted for, and is still the property of the RLSSCO, an NGO, and neither the building nor the plot of Iand is being used by any individual.
The said notice by MUDA was served on RLSSCO in the name of the General Secretary and not in the name of Sanbor Shullai. The Organisation has been trying to trace out T.R Skhemlon but it appears that the person does not exist at all and therefore RLSSCO would like to request T.R Skhemlon to kindly come to the Shillong Press Club on October 1, 2015 between 5.00- 6.00 pm and verify the documents and ask any question he or she wishes to know. lf the said T.R Skhemlon does not appear at Shillong Press Club it will be known that someone with vested interest wants to malign the name of Mr Sanbor Shullai and therefore has written the said letter in a fictitious name for political gains.
Yours etc.,
H Ryntathiang,
Asstt Gen Secy, RLSSCO
Editor replies: The letter by TR Skhlemlon was published in good faith and in public interest. This newspaper takes an impartial view of issues and has stood for the larger public good and not for or against any personality. By the time this letter was received on September 30, 2015 the edit page was already cleared. A rejoinder to a letter cannot be treated as a press release as requested. Hence the time given for the letter writer to appear at the Shillong Press Club on October 1, 2015 is presumptuous to say the least. What the public wants to know is why a public utility such as a Sports and Cultural Club should violate the MUDA building bye-laws. A clarification from the Club on this issue rather than a spirited defence of the MLA Sanbor Shullai would have been in order. We expect a Sports and Cultural Club calling itself an NGO to be apolitical and not be politically aligned or inclined.
MeECL’s poor service
Editor,
The discovery of electricity is one of the greatest achievements of man. Its use has made our lives so comfortable that, today, scientists in all countries are using it for all purposes. Electricity has helped to remove darkness and increase human activity. In short, the use of electricity has changed our lives to such an extent that life without it is almost unthinkable. But the MeECL does not seem to understand this. The power supply in Jowai Town is pathetic. Taking into account the huge bills that we have to pay it seems like we have been cheated. It has become a routine for power to go off several times in a day. This shows that the Corporation is incapable of providing uninterrupted power supply.
I request those in power to rectify this error so as to avoid interruption in power supply. Such failures makes us the customers lose faith in the capability of MeECL to render quality service.
Yours etc.,
Iahmi Khyriem
Jowai, West Jaintia Hills
Where is the small change?
Editor,
With due respect to the authorities regarding the issuance of coupons to bus passengers in lieu of coins, pleading shortage of the same, one is tempted to ask those in charge of issuing coins why this shortage and why only Meghalaya? And this is not just when one is travelling in buses or taxis (which are highly overpriced not to mention advantage seekers) but also in shops and other institutions wherein pieces of candy are used legal tender for these small denominations. Someone has rightly pointed out that if the shopkeepers and drivers are doing this since they “can’t” provide the change required for our expenses, why can’t it be done the other way round?
At the moment I am based in Kerala, Kochi doing my PG in Business and as part of my studies I have to travel to a company based shop located a few kilometers away from my college every day. I have to board a public bus for which I regularly pay र 9 while going and the same amount on returning. For the past two months I have been giving the conductor a र10 note everyday to which he always promptly gives me back the single र1 coin as change. So why is it different in Shillong? Are we not a part of the same country? Why do we keep hearing of shortage of coins? It started with the 10p, 50p coins which now we don’t even use anymore much less consider the same as money. It has gradually led to the disappearance of the र1, र2, र5 coins as well. The same excuse of shortage is given by all. But where exactly is the shortage? From the Bank’s side? The consumer’s side? The RBI? Does the Government not have a role here? Isn’t it high time somebody looks into this problem? (Or asks the right questions to the right people?)
I salute the MUDA authorities for coming up with a solution to the problem but if they do this, isn’t it the same as shopkeepers giving us sweets as change? But then again, I guess nobody really cares enough to ask questions on trivial matters involving trivial sums of money when there is always bigger fish to catch.
Yours etc.,
Joe Oliver Mae Ryan Lyngdoh
Rajagiri Business School
Kochi, Kerala