Editor,
I appreciate the concern and love for nature shown by Mr N Hynniewta in his letter to the editor captioned “Forest Department the Giant Slayer “(ST April 21, 2017). Shillong has many such nature lovers and environmentalists but many, I guess, are just silent spectators now. The Chipko movement has attracted world wild attention in the past. I would not elaborate much but would like to highlight certain points that would help us analyse things in future. Firstly, as stated by the Divisional Forest Officer in his reply to Mr N. Hynniewta’s letter to the editor that the Silver Oak tree that was felled last year was over- matured with deep cracks. I am surprised that preventive measures were not taken by the concerned Department to preserve these trees that were there for decades. The official has also mentioned that everything is being “managed scientifically” but if each year we are losing one or two trees from Ward’s Lake alone, then it is shocking if we have to calculate the many trees being felled from other areas which are under the upkeep of the Forest Department. We are living in the world of technology and in whatever profession we are in, we are expected to update our knowledge with the latest developments to be efficient enough. Cutting down a diseased tree is not the solution. Secondly ,a non forester has the right to speak out and ask for clarification if needed. One does not require a degree in Forestry to identify the difference between a dead and a living tree. Thirdly, there was an incident where a tree under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department on the road to NEIGRIHMS had fallen last year obstructing cars and ambulances plying to the hospital. If the higher officials are serious and concerned enough then they could be more careful to prevent trees from falling into streets as those are really posing a danger to people’s lives and especially delaying those who have to reach the hospital in an emergency. I believe that regular and sincere inspection is one of the guidelines that needs to be undertaken by the Forest Department.
Yours etc,
B.S Lyngdoh,
Via email
Crorepati Government officials!
Editor,
Is the Meghalaya Government aware that there are many officers working in different departments who own property and cash in bank accounts beyond their known sources of income. I wonder why the Income Tax Department or the anti corruption branch of the Police Department never notice the crimes of these officers and take them to task so as to ensure that these looters of public money don’t get away scot free.
There is one such officer in the Soil Conservation Department who was recently questioned by the CBI as the officer concerned deposited Rs 68,000,00 (sixty eight lakhs) at one go. Now the question is from where the officer get the money? As far as my knowledge goes this officer owns cash and properties amounting to crores of rupees and also owns plenty of property lands in and around Shillong. The officer’s present home is a mansion and another one is under construction. Is the Government aware of this personal wealth acquisition schemes of its officers? Another senior bureaucrat has bought a house amounting to crores of rupees in Shillong and lives an extravagant lifestyle. . Do officers earn so much money in their lifetime? Don’t they have to spend on the education etc of their children? Where does all the excess money for living such extravagant lifestyles come from? However, since the Government is also made of corrupt politicians the officers will continue to make hay while the sun shines. It is for this reason alone that we in Meghalaya need a change of Government, otherwise all public money will be used to develop private properties of bureaucrats, technocrats and politicians who are all hands in glove.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Congress’s desperate defense
Editor,
The vitriolic rebuttal of Ronnie Lyngdoh, presently the Urban Affairs Minister against the BJP’s claims and allegations of corruption by the present government is along expected lines. He asks Himanta Biswa Sarma the BJP leader from Assam to take care of his own state. Will Lyngdoh say the same if Rahul Gandhi comes here and starts talking about Meghalaya’s problems under the Congress regime? The desperate attempt to defend the present chief minister, Mukul Sangma cuts no ice with the voters who have seen enough of Congress misdemeanours over the years. Congress governments have got away because of a weak, spineless opposition. I admire Prestone Tynsong instead for speaking up publicly and saying that Mukul Sangma may not necessarily be the chief minister in 2018 since that decision lies with the AICC. If only more Congressmen had the spine of Tynsong the Meghalaya Government would not have been run like a totalitarian regime. The Congress Party has too many sycophants who all want to protect their selfish interests. They don’t care two hoots about the state or its people.
Yours etc.,
HN Syiem,
Via email