Editor,
I am amused to read your news about the situation that prevails at the toll gate of the NHAI ( ST Feb 19, 2016) wherein it is mentioned that one day the K5U opposed the toll gate and after negotiation the opposition was withdrawn; the next day the FKJGP did the same and withdrew after negotiation with the contractor. In Ri Bhoi District there are pressure groups like the K5U, FKJGP, RBYF, RBSU, CORP, RAWA, HANM, and many others. Each one of them try to bully the contractor of the toll gate and extort from him right and left to extract as much money as they can from the toll gate on similar style as they have been doing at the Umling check gate where each coal truck pays Rs 1800 per trip to them to avoid checking at the gate. If the NHAI contractor has to negotiate with all the groups and pay them I cannot imagine how much money he would have shed to bribe these groups at the cost of the innocent motor ists who pay the toll while passing by the said gate. All pressure groups are making hay in Ri Bhoi District because of lack of effective administration in the area. Policemen are deployed at the toll gate only to facilitate these groups to extort money from the NHAI contractor and at times from the hapless truckers.
Yours etc.,
Sedin Pyngrope
Shillong-8
Appropriate ruling by SC
Editor,
Referring to the news item about the order passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on the status of Headmen ( ST Feb 13, 2016), I would like to express my appreciation to the balanced decision taken by the apex court. The ball is now in the hands of the State Government to make relevant laws in line with the directives of the apex court. Few suggestions that I may contribute here are (i) All Traditional Heads be they the syiems, sirdars, nokmas., rangbah shnongs, wahadadars, doloi,lyngdohs, matabors, etc. who head the villages and localities should be covered under the ambit of the RTI, which would bring transparency in village administration. Only the corrupt and the dishonest elements will oppose this idea. (ii) A provision should be inserted in the law for appeals in case injustice is meted out to citizens by the traditional heads. Appellate authority should be the Deputy Commissioner concerned (iii) The office of traditional institutions should be regarded as Office Of Profit for all purpose. This is because the traditional heads in Meghalaya although they do not enjoy regular salary, do receive some kind of benefits through MPs / MLAs/ MDCs, politicians, through various government schemes and also because they take commission for land transactions in the localities. At times the amount collected by them is as huge as the amount collected by MDCs. The Headmen of Malki and Bishnupur fought court cases time and again to retain their positions because they did not want to hand over their luxurious positions and lose such financial benefits. (iv) The traditional institutions should have their proper offices where all records are prepared and maintained so that when there is change in incumbents the office will continue. This is important because as of now many traditional heads use the office as their personal property. The moment they demit office they take away with them all the documents and records and destroy them. (v) As of now election of traditional heads is simply by voice vote or by raising of hands in favour of the candidate proposed by the head of that village or locality. Even if one does not favour the proposed candidate one dare not oppose him for fear of intimidation/ violence or victimization. Therefore elections for the post of traditional heads should be conducted by secret ballot. Lastly, some of the traditional heads hesitate to convene the general dorbar for years together because they fear that they may be removed. Hence, elections should be conducted at regular intervals. That is all for the moment, let the readers react to these suggestions.
Yours etc.,
Maykordalin Lyngdoh
Shillong-8