Editor,
While sacred thread is a symbol of caste division, Braille paper/ typewriter is a symbol of hope for the blind. Ironically, GST has proposed 0 per cent levy on sacred thread but 12 per cent levy on Braille paper and 18 per cent on Braille typewriter that until now have been fully exempt from all taxes and duties. Moreover, while khdau, panchamrit, vibhuti are in zero per cent taxation category, hearing aids have been taken out from the exempted category and put in the box of 12 per cent levy. Is GST in favour of caste and disability divide?
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
Corruption in constitutional bodies?
Editor,
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has rightly raised a very valid point about possibilities of corruption in constitutional bodies which are practically out of bounds from normal scrutiny. His direct reference was towards hefty conveyance-bill of rupees 16.86 crores sent by State Election Office despite state-government having provided sufficient number of vehicles for poll-duty during elections to state-assemblies held in February 2017. Absolute power results in absolute corruption. In case presently there does not exist any system for audit of expenses in constitutional bodies, then a system must be formulated to audit all such bodies where there is usually high level of corruption at least on expenses-side. There should be adequate and proper checks and balances for constitutional bodies which have huge budgets and employees requiring a proper check against corruption.
Yours etc.,
Madhu Agrawal,
Delhi – 6
Resurgence of HNLC
Editor,
News reports that the banned outfit HNLC through its enigmatic publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw has been issuing releases to the media about the outfit’s action plans vis-à-vis the Khasi Students’ Union’s (KSU’s) opposition to the railhead at Byrnihat, indicate that the two organisation are working in tandem. It is no secret that it was the radical KSU activists who first joined the HNLC in the early 1990’s. A couple of years ago another KSU activist declared that he would join the HNLC and did so, but has since surrendered. The HNLC cadres who have surrendered have done so out of a complete sense of disillusionment. Having joined the outfit, they find that the only objective of the HNLC is extortion since the senior members are well adjusted in Bangladesh either owning betel nut orchards or doing some other business. The new cadres who join must find a way to earn money for their own upkeep. Militancy is a dwindling activity especially at a time when the Central Government has laid down strict directives that there will be no more talks with any gun-toting outfit henceforth, unless they surrender completely with their arms and ammunition.
Earlier, under the Congress regime at the Centre, militancy grew by leaps and bounds. When one group would come to the talks table, some cadres would breakaway and create their own groups. It was a losing battle and not the best way to tackle militancy. The surrenderees holed up in camps were fed and looked after. They were not gainfully employed. Every time they would make a noise that government was not paying them the amount promised for their upkeep. How can the taxpayers’ money be used to feed these idle blokes?
The HNLC too it seems wants a similar treatment where, after the talks they would get easy money on which to live the rest of their idle lives. Sorry but that is not the way to tackle goondaism which is what all these armed outfits are indulging in. Merely because they trot out some obscure ideology does not mean a thing. Every one of them is trying to mimic the NSCN without understanding the harrowing experiences that the Naga armed outfits have been through in their over 50 year struggle.
One is amazed that the police are unable to crack down on the email identity of Sainkupar Nongtraw. Also the repeated acts of arson happening in the city suggest that police intelligence is at an all time low. If such incidents cannot be prevented within the city of Shillong and selected targets in heavily populated localities are attacked again and again then it means that the public cannot be sure of their lives and properties; in other words their fundamental rights! As it is law and order has always been a slippery subject in Meghalaya. Is the Government listening? Can citizens sleep peacefully when petrol bombs can be hurled at their properties any time of the night?
Yours etc.,
JN Syiem,
Via email