Editor
Diverse species of insect pollinators around the globe including honeybees, naïve bees, moths, butterflies, some specialized species of beetles and flies are showing a trend of sharp decline in their numbers due to numerous anthropogenic factors like over application of agri-chemicals, industrial pollution, global warming and climate change, parasitic diseases of bees, colony collapse disorder, lack of suitable nectar foraging plants and habitats to mention only a few. Pollinator insects are essential for agriculture, apiculture and forestry industries and for securing the dynamics of our ecology and economy. Conservation of insect pollinators is therefore important from the perspective of food security as they are responsible for pollinating over 70% of food crops around the planet. Hence we have the future in our hands to protect the insect pollinators like bees today; to secure our future for tomorrow. There is an important issue that deserves serious attention and strong support to secure the future of both our ecology and economics together.
We must realize that loss of key insect pollinators means significant loss to the stability of our natural ecosystems, agricultural, horticultural and apicultural productivity. We need to connect our local communities to this grave ecological crisis facing our farmer-friendly, natural insect pollinators. We need to educate the public; more importantly our younger generations to the importance of conservation of the highly endangered insect pollinators. Often important research articles published in prestigious science journals and magazines escape the attention of ordinary citizens. It is also important to explain to the public the importance and challenges of pollinator conservation in non-technical terms; and in as simple language as possible to spread the urgent message. Hence both print and electronic media can serve as excellent outlets to reach potential stakeholders; who could play significant roles in the efforts towards successful conservation of insect pollinators.
Yours etc.,
Saikat Kumar Basu
Lethbridge AB Canada
Pensioners’ tale of woes continue
Editor,
As per Bank instructions pension for the month of March was credited on April 3. Pensioners were shocked at TDS deduction for the financial year ending 2018-19. That never happened in the past. Pensioners used to dedicate the month of April for investing for the coming financial year. A couple of years back there was even a three month time slot for investment which meant no TDS deductions till June. State Govt employees were deducted TDS in their habitual positions of filing investment during February. The direction cannot be decided by a mere SMS at the eleventh hour. Barring SBI, other banks do not deduct TDS from pensioners. Such dissimilarities between banks come as a complete surprise. To add to their woes, pensioners are pushed from pillar to post.
Also in the pay slip, the reintroduction of Standard Deduction, hike on Medical Insurance premium and other provisions for exemption are not yet updated. That had resulted in unrecoverable TDS to PAN account. Now exemption from interest earned from Fixed Deposits is to be seen in the first quarter. Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill 2018 amidst a din and protests. However, it is yet to reach the Rajya Sabha as the Opposition created a deadlock in the Parliament. Nevertheless citizens just can’t suffer from that unholy behaviour of our representatives. Where MPs are set to get 100% salary hike in just 2 months before rule on automatic revision comes into effect, no one thinks of the common man. The other day Govt Bill was passed without any criticism by those who shout that democracy needs to be saved.
Yours etc., ,
Kamal Baruah
Rukminigaon, Guwahati
Of rural students and transportation
Editor,
It give immense pleasure to the citizens of Meghalaya that the current MDA government had started their work on a positive note. They had solved the issue of long pending dues of SSA teachers. They are also In talks with the centre for lifting the ban on coal mining which is one of the prime source of generating revenue of our state etc. We hope they are successful in solving the problems of unemployment and many other issues that hamper the progress and development of our state. The Transport Department of Meghalaya has been trying to devise ways and means to ease the traffic problem of Shillong city especially during school hours. A question that comes to mind is whether the students in rural and far flung areas face the same problems of traffic like the one in Shillong? Do they get stuck in traffic jams for long hours? In rural and far flung areas where the number of government, government aided, SSA, Ad hoc and private schools and colleges are fewer, the students need to travel long distance to reach their schools and colleges. Do those students face traffic problems to reach their respective schools and colleges? In Shillong there are JNNURM buses plying in Shillong City for the students, but do the students in rural areas also get the facility of government buses to reach their respective schools and colleges? As education these days is expensive, the parents have to face the extra burden of transportation of their children to the schools and colleges in privately run vehicles in rural areas. I wonder if there is any transport facility provided by the Transport Department of our state for the students in rural areas. If this facility is not there then we expect the concerned Department to look into this matter because this is also one of the reasons why we have high drop- out rates in rural areas. If this new Government can do something for rural students it will help in reducing the number of drop outs in schools and colleges.
Yours etc.,
Anil Singh Roka,
Via email