Editor,
Almost all localities in Shillong, that are covered under the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme have tanks that perennially overflow. If one were to enquire why the supply to a full water tank is not automatically shut, one is told that the system does not allow it as closing the supply would build up pressure in the pipes resulting in damage! As a result, thousands of litres of water keep overflowing from the tanks being fed from the PHE supply.
As far as my knowledge goes, the installation of a simple ball and cock system costing a few hundred rupees is enough to regulate the flow of water automatically. In all gravitational water supply systems they are very effective. What kind of system would work for Shillong? We need an effective solution to stop the criminal wastage of water.
Yours etc.,
Sanjeeb Kakoty
Shillong 14.
Tug of war over water tank
Editor,
I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the need for mmediate reconstruction of the public water tank located near Tura Govt. College, Hawakhana. This is one of the oldest water reservoirs in Tura Town constructed sometime in late sixties. The reservoir has outlived its longevity and started leaking heavily since a few years ago. As a result, the people of Hawakhana and neighbouring localities are facing acute water scarcity even during the rainy season. Of late, the leakage has become so intense that the out-flowing seepage water could be noticed on the main road around 100 metres away from Axis Bank, Hawakhana, where people are seen making a beeline everyday to collect this water and sell it to needy consumers.
Everyone is aware that the soil condition in Hawakhana locality is loose and sandy. Uncontrolled seepage of water may cause maximum damage to the underground soil in the long run. Under such circumstances, there is every chance of liquefaction/caving in of part of Tura Govt. College and GHADC land after some time if no preventive measure is taken immediately It is learnt that the Government has already sanctioned the required money amount to a few crore rupees for restoration of the same. The delay in implementation is perhaps due to rigid stand- off between the two Departments i.e. PHE Department (Management ) on one side and GHADC (Distribution) on the other, over utilisation of funds. While this cold war about implementation of work between two concerned agencies is carrying on, the poor consumers in the locality are getting restive day by day. It is high time that the matter is resolved immediately in the interest of tax paying consumers. Let there be permanent solution instead of constant friction so that people do not suffer.
Yours etc.
R M Sangma,
Via email
Educational dowry
Editor,
The alleged suicide by three girl students in Chennai zeroes in on how leeches are sucking the blood of our future generation in the jungle of private educational raj which is mushrooming without meaningful government control. In their suicide note, they stated that they were being harassed. Around three lakh rupees had been extorted from them and more money demanded as special fees by their educational (!) institution despite abysmal facilities. Thanks to lack of government participation, involvement and control, higher education has, practically, been hijacked from the domain of lower and lower middle class by the greedy private players. Sky rocketing tuition fees puts archaic educational infrastructural facilities to shame in the free for all loot. Now, parents are to cough up a new form of dowry if they want to settle their wards in jobs that can do justice to mark-sheets and aspirations of their children. This new version of educational dowry has gone up to such a level that only those who belong to creamy layer of the society can afford to pay. Thus, the capacity of parents’credit cards have become a more important factor in our higher education system than a student’s marks in his or her merit card. Education sector like health sector is gradually being exported to private money-grabbers without meaningful control and without attachment of necessary strings. As a result, majority of our population have become helpless spectators when it comes to educating their children. These money making educational (!) grinders destroy the lives of many Monishas, Saranyas and Priyankas as well as their families. Article 38 of the Indian constitution directs the State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people. So, it would be a constitutional dereliction if our government has a halfhearted approach towards providing education to the aspirants. There should be enough government schools and colleges to give private educational institutions a run for their money. In addition, a 24×7 surveillance to arrest the practice of fleecing educational dowry from the parents of future India is a crying need. Moreover, India badly needs sufficient scholarships and enough interest-free loans for the needy to honour the pledges of her constitution.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De, Kolkata