Editor,
It is a matter of grave concern that a malicious campaign is being carried out by the media to tarnish my name and that of my family members. We have been based in Meghalaya for decades and have done our business with sincerity and due diligence over the years. All our investments are within the ambit of Indian laws and no violations have been committed whatsoever. The Income Tax Department is already investigating matters related to offshore investments and the matter is, as such, sub-judice and premature for anyone to arrive at personal conclusions or to level unfounded allegations on our investments etc. The law of the country will prevail at the end of the day.
With reference to CMJ Breweries I would like to mention that it is one of the top class units in the country and has been appreciated by none other than the Public Undertakings Committee of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly recently during their spot Inspection. The Unit has been set up with the support of family, friends and financial institutions and is today exporting its products across the country and Europe. The Company has naturally availed loans etc. from various financial institutions which is very normal for any industry and no undue advantage has been provided by anybody whatsoever.
It is surprising to see that no one has mentioned that CMJ Breweries is generating revenue of more than Rs. 130 crore in the last financial year for the State Government of Meghalaya and it must be the only Unit doing so. Since its inception the Unit has generated more than Rs 300 crore as revenue for the State Government.
This Unit employs hundreds of local people and local contractors from the surrounding areas directly and indirectly and spends a substantial chunk of its revenue as salaries and wages.
Since the subject matter of offshore investment is being investigated by the Income Tax Department not only for us but also for all individuals and firms across India, and as mentioned earlier not all such investments are illegal but have followed RBI guidelines hence as a responsible media house you should await the final outcome of the investigation rather than jump to conclusions as that amounts to defamation.
Yours etc.,
Rohit Jain,
Via email
Short supply of LPG cylinders
Editor,
LPG cylinders are imperative to keep the home fires burning. It takes genuine compassion to feel the angst of countless women who can hardly afford to fix up their 2-time meals with their meagre cooking resources. The short supply of cooking gas in Meghalaya has long become a very serious problem. Most are compelled to forgo elaborate meal preparations at home these days not because of shortage of cash but for not having sufficient LPG gas to warm up their spirit of celebration at home.
Many people today forego the pleasure of cooking meals during festivals at home because they need to ration their cylinders. Never before has there been such an acute shortage of LPG cylinders as now. A shrill clamor of ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana’ from Delhi has long been heard through the media but when it will practically cheer up the BPL families in Meghalaya? While the induction ovens and electric heaters are the easy alternatives for the rich, the poor folks have to depend fully on kerosene stoves or expensive charcoal. Still poorer family members have to come out of their homes to gather dry twigs and shrubs from the neighborhood or nearby woods in order to meet their fuel needs.
This year, in a span of 6 months, the consumers have received just two cylinders, and some lucky localities have got three as of now. At this rate one can receive only 5 to 6 cylinders in a whole year. How can a large family manage with this short supply of cooking gas is an issue that the district administration should be worrying about. In a cold place like Meghalaya the Government should provide at least twelve cylinders per family a year.
In view of the grievous hardship suffered by the public I request the concerned authorities to give a serious look into this glaring anomaly in the supply of cylinders in Meghalaya. Yes, it’s heartening to see the concerns expressed by the considerate DC of EK Hills, “LPG shortage? Blame it on agencies: DC” (ST, 11th Jun). The Government should find out what exactly is cooking behind the abysmally low supply of the cooking gas in our state. It may also be brought to the kind attention of the authorities that the gas agencies should thoroughly revamp their distribution mechanism. Increasing both manpower and delivery vehicles is a must in order to ensure full efficiency in the delivery system. A strict time frame should be adhered to so far as the delivery in each locality is concerned. To set up a separate bottling plant is long overdue in Meghalaya. Bah Paul Lyngdoh’s efforts in this respect is highly praiseworthy. Well, now let the concerned authorities and political leaders leave no stone unturned to ignite the hearth and spirit of each household in the state at the earliest possible.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali
Shillong-2