Editor,
We have just witnessed another round of negotiations accompanied by a series of mud -slinging between political parties and their affiliates as the controversial Village Administration Bill is waiting to get its assent from the Governor, albeit, with the Central Government’s blessing. The High Court of Meghalaya cannot be blamed for the entire controversy through many believe that the December 2014 ruling to be the genesis of this confusion. The actual players are those in power in the District Councils and the State Assembly. People should question their MDCs’ and MLAs’ who were sleeping for a very long time. Experts may cite many clauses, rules, paras etc…of the Constitution and go and on till kingdom come which to the common man on the street hardly makes any sense and nor will they understand. As it gradually unfolds, the entire conglomerate of traditional Dorbars seem to be at odds with each other over the way things were handled and decided by a few ‘ intellectuals ‘, accusing each faction as betrayers of the society which is unfortunate. The Khasi society should evolve over time and therefore codification and improvements of customary laws should be deliberated rather than agreeing to any Bill without proper ground work.
Yours etc…
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-3
Editor,
The Rangbah Shnong of Mawlai Mawkynroh Umshing had announced on the 24th of October, 2015 that the officials from the Election Department would come for the new enrolment and correction of names in the Electoral Role in our locality w.e.f October 26, 2015 to Nov 10, 2015. Residents of the locality went and waited everyday at the Community Hall for this exercise but till now there is not a single official from the Election Department who has come for his/her duty. Verbal complaints were made to the concerned official in charge of this Polling Station on the October 30, 2015 but to no avail. So once again we humbly request the Department concerned to see that their officials come for their assigned duty.
Yours etc.,
- Dympep
Shillong- 22
Unworthy official
Editor,
Time and time again we have read the news of high- handedness of the Tura Municipal Board Chief Executive Officer and his acts of impropriety But he seems emboldened when he sees his name in print. Many officers have occupied this same chair and commoners like to share their thoughts with them and draw inspiration from them but this present CEO repels people with his domineering attitude, immature, autocratic hateful manners which are unbecoming of his position. What’s worse is that he gets physical with people..
Now regarding submission of affidavits on account of the bandhs on August 14-15, he is a petitioner and traders are respondents. Respondents would have their own advocates and para-legal assistants to whom, understandably, respondents would submit their affidavits as called by the High Court, and not to the petitioner who is filing the case against them; is terrorizing them and who is also capable of manipulating and is the main opponent. People have not forgotten the first press report in the newspaper about the gates of Super Market and Municipal Marketing Hub being closed on the bandh days mentioned above. Did he give factual reports to the High Court that indeed, the gates were closed as reported but that he manipulated the CCTV later on after the news was published to make it appear that gates were opened on bandh days so that the press report misfired?. Naturally he would not compound his error by broadcasting for fear of High Court’s unfavourable view. Did the Deputy Commissioner West Garo Hills verify? Why is he silent when his officer is romping around the town? His actions would backfire if traders, commercial institutes, organizations resort to much stronger alternatives than to just simple agitations. This officer is the perpetual diet of woe and terror to everyone who crosses his path. A dignified officer would respect his chair and those serving under him as that is essential to the working of any institution.
This officer keeps sending press releases without knowing that a lower officer needs permission from the higher authorities to give press releases. Or have the rules changed? It is unpleasant to see that an Officer in his position antagonizes the whole market organization instead of contributing to the harmony through a system of cooperation. This person who is hell-bent on destroying the economy should not be allowed to serve in the districts he insulted.
Does the D.C. know that he summoned a poor man selling clothes and mosquito nets in front of Tura Baptist Church premises to put a food on the table for his family and beat him black and blue. The man fell unconscious and only regained consciousness after a fourth grade staff sprinkled water and fanned him? Does the D.C. know that he summoned a goat meat (Mutton) seller to his office and punched and kicked him till he fell unconscious? With such a brutal man around, a poor man would have no chance to defend himself. His despotic tenure should end and the government should chastise such officers forces and appoint people who have good public relations who will work for the welfare of communities of Tura Town for which purpose the Board was created. Only then will the schemes of Government reach the people and disparity between rich and poor be removed and the standard of living improve..
Yours etc.,
Gemsfield Sangma,
Niksenggittim, Walbakgre
Tura