Editor ,
What has happened to the Village Administration Bill (VAB) and what is its status today? While it made much headlines during 2015 because of the sensations it created when it was first brought in and because of the fervent struggle by its supporters for its passage , there was almost total silence about it in 2016 . It is as if the Bill either ceased to exist or it is probably placed in cold storage. The initial enthusiasm of its proponents for its passage seems to have waned lately and perhaps fresh passion would be evoked only when another unexpected bombshell lands upon us to signify its relevance .
If the uncertainty over the VAB is vexing to its supporters, there are currently mixed opinions about it too .Some of those who supported it during the euphoria when it was first brought in, now have second thoughts as to whether the VAB can particularly homogenize the Durbar Shnong administration with the spread of emerging complexities of the present times. If many are indifferent about its fate , there are also those who still find its merit to be vague and incomprehensible.
Why the VAB is preferred by its supporters is also being questioned now. Besides other considerations , the thought that the retention of the status of the Durbar Shnong as a “traditional body” as the Bill is brought in by a District Council could perhaps be the main influence. But then there is also the thought that the status of the Durbar can remain as such even under a law of the state government though it would be expected here that the traditional psyche also nurtures modern and progressive concepts .
On the other side, there is the felt need to weigh the symbiotic relationship of the Durbar Shnong with either the District Councils or with the state government to determine to which of these authorities the scale tips heavily though the indication so far is that it tips more towards the latter. It would be an indication for the future and also vital since mutual interest has to be sustained through a relationship which especially can be more advantageous to the Durbar Shnong in the long run.
In the meantime , questions are often raised lately on the need of having the District Councils as parallel authorities in the state to co-exist with a predominantly tribal state government because of conflicting decisions at times . If such questions lead to definitive actions and if conformity with the rest of the country is to be followed then there is every possibility that the minor authority would lose out . It pays therefore for the Durbar Shnong to preferably opt for an alliance with an authority which has the prospect of being stable and of being firmly established as well.
Further, there is the assessment that if the VAB has been proposed only recently by the District Councils which were expected to bring the proposal decades ago , then there is every possibility that these Councils may not respond quickly later when needed. In fact, The Shillong Times on the 14th Jan 2017 reported that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Councils is criticized for delaying the appointments of headmen which otherwise should have been taken up promptly if local administration is to run smoothly.
In spite of some disappointments with its function at times, the Durbar Shnong wherever it exists in the state is undoubtedly still central and effective as an institution of local governance. To affirm its status and to streamline its position, the sooner an appropriate law is established for it the better. But with the VAB continuing to be elusive and with sections of society ‘s inferences and assessments that came lately , it lead many to wonder if the Bill is worth pursuing. Or whether it would be prudent to opt for such a law from the state government which ,after all, has mostly our very own people at the helm who would be expected to consider that which is best for us. Switching existing loyalties from one institution and appeasement of the others would of course be necessary if such an option is considered. An improbable consideration perhaps for the VAB supporters for now but certainly a prospect for opening new doors .
Yours etc.,
KL Tariang,
Via email
Obama’s farewell speech
Editor,
Kudos to your editorial, “Obama’s exit” (ST, January 14, 2017). Obama’s farewell speech made me cry. It was a cry of joy hearing the music of divinity in man. “If we’re unwilling to invest in the children of immigrants, just because they don’t look like us, we will diminish the prospects of our own children – because those brown kids will represent a larger and larger share of America’s workforce,” he said. Indeed, Obama has had his name embroidered as one of the runners in the relay of evolution. He ran with the baton of humanity which had been passed over to him by the likes of Abraham Lincoln. We heard such music of divinity when Abraham Lincoln had said, “Whenever I hear one arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.”
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
Acute water scarcity in Laban
Editor,
We would like narrate here that the residents of Howell Road, Madan Laban, Harisabha and other localities of Greater Laban are facing acute water shortage since last week. We the residents of these localities urge our local MLA and the municipality to take urgent steps to mitigate this problem since water is as vital as every LOOKING BACK March 16, 1989 breath of human life. People lining with their empty buckets from whatever available sources in Howell Road, the water tap in the premises of Harisabha Temple and here in Madan Laban is a sorry sight. In Madan Laban and Upper Laban, what one is getting is a narrow strip of line through their water taps every day. In Harisabha, a particular plumber is running riot with his corrupt practices by wilfully restricting the line supply of some residents and releasing to few others as if indicating that he has been bribed to do so. This has been going on since the onus of water supply has been bestowed upon his shoulder by the permanent plumber who is currently on leave in his hometown. That the holidaying plumber hasn’t got a more dishonest plumber than him can be gauged clearly here. Well, a similar plumbing act in case of Howell Road, Madan Laban cannot be ruled out too since the general understanding among many is that it is a winter occurrence which is not always the case. Well, if that is the case then how are some residents getting normal supply whereas others aren’t?
Yours etc.
A Lyngdoh
and other affected residents Shillong – 4