Editor,
It is customary for any bureaucrat to be transferred on grounds that he is not a ‘yes ‘ man to any politician. Likewise, it has happened with the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia HIlls, Arun Kumar Kembhavi . He is rewarded with a transfer order for reasons best known to the authorities concerned. It seems there is no place for a DC who works for the development of the district. The present DC can appropriately be called a true servant of the public. Once when I entered his room and pleaded with him to intervene on some social problems, he without hesitation did the work the very next day because he found that the issue to be genuine. He has the wisdom to interact with the public whenever he is approached. We always see him active on social media where he informs the public about important social issues. He informed about small denominations of currencies supplied by the RBI to each bank located in the district and many other important issues, like the removal of the hawkers where we see today a spacious Iawmusiang which was a congested area for many years. One fails to understand why the DC is being transferred to the same post of another district in a span of only 15 months. We clearly remember that Sanjay Goyal was also removed from the district as he was a man of principles who did not bow down to any vested interest. He was there for only 3(three) months. Hence all performing DCs do not seem to fit in our District. Meanwhile, I saw today that the NGOs and some women organisations sit in protest at the yard of the D.C’s office. They are to be applauded as they are brave enough to protest against the transfer of the present D.C as they find him to be a man of action and pragmatic. One wonders why Kembhavi who has done his homework well and is such a dynamic, able and active administrator is being transferred. This is very distressing. Interestingly, we would also remember how some DCs who were a ‘yes’ men of politicians and the coal lobby remained for a full term and more. This clearly shows that political gains play a major role in shaping our district. This is political vendetta. Let the Mukul Sangma Government not succumb to pressures from anti-people groups.
Yours etc.,
Omarga Laloo,
Mynthong, Jowai
Akhilesh rides his bicycle!
Editor,
This refers to your report “Akhilesh is entitled to cycle symbol: EC” (ST- Jan 17). It is a good decision of the Election Commission to allot the “bicycle” symbol to the Akhilesh faction of the Samajwadi Party as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister who enjoyed majority in the party’s organizational and legislative structures. The son finally came out of his father’s shadow. This was the most important case to decide as to who will get the bicycle. Akhilesh is a clear winner with Cycle Symbol and by joining with Congress and Others; he can very well confine BSP and BJP to single digits. Akhilesh is an undisputed leader of the Samajwadi Party and shows that he is the new face of the Uttar Pradesh politics. Akhilesh with his ability to deliver on development be it roads, Lucknow Metro and the ongoing project Agra-Lucknow Express Way and such other developmental projects has turned the political fortune in favour of Akhilesh. The old style of Mulayam will now go away and a new wave of governance will emerge. The political journey of Mulayam Singh that began in 1969 seems to have hit a major roadblock, with his party and family split down the middle. Akhilesh has cornered the support of 210 of the SP’s 229 MLAs clearly showing that he loses no opportunity to emphasize that his calling card in politics is clean, aspirational governance that is focused on development and law and order. Young generation is increasingly asserting itself in UP. The resounding thumping victory of Akhilesh in being legal claimant to election symbol of Samajwadi Party ‘Cycle’ is the testimony to it. Besides, all ups and downs, one fees that it is a family drama and in the end they will fight elections jointly.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad – 15
Meghalaya calendar 2017
Editor,
The wall calendar brought out by the Meghalaya Government this year is a huge disappointment. The opening month’s picture is frightening! Most of the pictures are quite ordinary and look like they are captured by a nonprofessional. It is difficult to make out the theme of the calendar if there is one. Meghalaya is such a beautiful state but anyone from outside who sees the calendar is bound to get a wrong impression about the state. Instead of attracting we are distracting the tourists. The state has a full- fledged Department for the purpose with many photographers and experts. I just wonder with all these experts how one could bring out such a substandard calendar. It is a pure waste of public money with negative results.
Yours etc.,
Desmond Kharkongor
Shillong-3