Editor,
Apropos the editorial, “Imbroglio on liquor sale!” (ST April 1, 2017 ) the editor has raised a very pertinent question whether a one way road in the heart of the town cab be called a national highway at this point of time? I would like to add another question and that is whether 12- hour parking is allowed along the so called National Highway in the heart of the town specifically between Motphran and Jeep Stand and whether parking fees can be collected by local authorities from the vehicles parked along the so called National Highway and whether parking is at all allowed on this so called highway? Can a local taxi stand be located in the so called National Highway? Can the Traffic Police install a ‘NO ENTRY’ signage to the National Highway? The State Government of Meghalaya has to clarify the matter in view of the Gazette of India notification S.O.542 (E) dated 5/3/2010 as circulated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways vide letter No No.NH-14019/9/2007 dated 28th April 2010 and circulated to Secretaries PWD of all States/ Union Territories, Chairman, NHAI, BRO etc. Discerning people know that National Highway 40 is now in Andhra Pradesh and not in Meghalaya.
Yours etc,,
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
SC order on liquor ban
Editor,
This refers to your thought-provoking editorial, “Imbroglio on liquor sale” (ST- April 1, 2017). The Supreme Court has passed its decision to ban States and Union Territories from granting licences for the sale of liquor along National and State highways across the country, noting that drunken driving is the main culprit behind a large number of road accidents in the country. Though the Supreme Court has banned many wine outlets along national and state highways, no law-enforcing authority seems to be concerned about stopping them from setting up their shops. The license of such shops should be cancelled if they do not comply with the direction. No doubt, Goa is a popular tourism destination and has a liberal excise regime, making alcohol available at cheap rates here as compared to neighbouring states. The local economy depends heavily on liquor tourism. Easy availability and affordable rates are the major attractions. But the presence of too many liquor outlets makes youngsters addicted to liquor. It is a huge headache for government as there is at least one drunken death case every month and most of them die of dehydration or in accidents. Since the national and state highways are more prone to accidents, stringent laws against drunk and rash driving, proper and effective enforcement of the laws and the tough and sincere judiciary in dealing with the accidents alone could ultimately have a positive effect in dealing with the ever growing accidents.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad- 15
Educational institutions turn mercenaries
Editor,
I am very disappointed with the education institutions in Shillong. After completing my written and practical exams in St. Anthony’s college we were informed that we could collect our security deposit from the office. Accordingly my friends and I went to ask for it but we were informed that we needed to submit our 1st year fee book receipt along with the application. As luck would have it, neither my friends nor I could find our fee books since they must have been misplaced. After all, its three years ago that we joined college! So we told the clerk present there if there is any other way to claim our security fund but he clearly rejected the idea and suggested that we find our fee books even if it takes us another 3-4 years to find them. This is ridiculous and because if I have to claim the money after 3-4 years then I might as well leave it unclaimed. We went and talked with the Head of Department but she also pleaded helplessness. When we told her that we were never told we had to keep our 1st year fee book to reclaim our security deposit she told us that its ‘understood.’ Isn’t this whole thing bizarre? If the college needs to fee book as evidence isn’t it also obvious that without paying the fees on the 1st year we could never have been allowed into the 2nd and 3rd year? Somehow I feel like this security fund business is a scam in all the institutions; it’s a way of appropriating money from the students. Why are the Education Institutions behaving in such a mercenary manner? We, students invest money and the quality of education is not even worth that money. And then to get back our own money we literally have to beg and crawl? This is patently unfair and unjust.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
How good is our God?
Editor,
I am not a theologian but these past few days of heavy rain made me wonder about the state of our environment and its predicament. Theologically speaking God gave us the beautiful Khasi Hills, the elegant rivers, the pouring rain, the clouds, the unique matrilineal society, the one of a kind ‘Lawkyntang’, the Khasi custom which I would brand as the Golden custom for it is as rare as gold. We Khasis live a life based on the principle of ‘Tip Briew Tip Blei.’ In English it would mean respect, know and serve God and Mankind. But when I look around at our markets and rivers nowadays I can’t help but think about the old days of a clean environment with green essence and flavour. I cannot fathom how quickly time has stolen such an amazing beauty from this part of the world given to us by God. Hence regardless of what religion and faith we believe in, I would like to remind us that God is so good and so kind to us because he gave us rivers and hills of immense beauty but we murdered that beauty with garbage and waste; by throwing plastics, papers and spitting everywhere. Public toilet pipes go straight in the rivers which pains me much. Honestly, I have used these toilets and I am not proud of it. I don’t curse but regret what we are doing. I believe we have a choice and we can make it better. God graces us with all these gifts to be used wisely and to be treasured for future generations. Ironically we have done just the opposite. But guess what? God again gave us heavy rains to clean up the mess.
Cleanliness is a means to boost the economy as well. If our society is clean we will be more physically healthy and medical bills of our family will come down so the economy of that family will go up as well as the standard of living. Moreover, if our state is clean tourism will improve and it will certainly create jobs. If Singapore and Thailand can, why can’t we. We just need the right Government with prudence and innovation and for each one of us to have individual responsibility and liability as a citizen.
Yours etc.
Mickey Marweiñ
Shillong Law College.