Editor,
I write this letter in the faint hope that the Government might be informed of the actual functioning of its various departments in the “interest” and “service” of the public. On May 22, 2018, I had gone to the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Shillong to procure a challan. I was told that the challans are out of stock. I then went, to the premises of the Shillong Bar Association at which I got the same reply. I was also informed by the lady in the Deputy Commissioner’s Office that it would take a week or two or maybe a month or two for the stock to be replenished. I was confounded. So, I proceeded to the Treasury Office (located in the same building as MBOSE) only to be told that they do not “sell” challans there. A lady staff asked me to enquire from a “kwai” vendor in the Treasury Office premises. At the end of my efforts, lo and behold … I did get my three challans for thirty rupees, from a source I did not think possible-a “kwai” vendor. I was dumbfounded. The manner in which the Government employees served me was high-handed and humiliating but what made the humiliation complete was the source of the challan. How is it possible that instruments such as Government challans are now in the hands of persons not authorised to sell them? I presume one has to have permission to deal in the sale/distribution of challans. Or maybe the “kwai” vendor was authorised to sell them? Why is there even a shortage of Government instruments? How then can the Government conduct its transactions? Maybe someone can enlighten the public in the matter. While the Government and its employees may not see any urgency in providing services to the public, it should be kept in mind that the common people would not run after these instruments if there was no necessity or urgency.
If the Government takes note of public grievances, hopefully brought to its attention through the media, I hope that it will ensure that this matter is sorted out in the Government’s own interest. If not, then perhaps the definition of public service by the Government voted to power by the public differs from the common interpretation. In that case the public is doomed!
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Games infrastructure: another view
Editor,
Apropos the news report, “Minister On Site Recce For Games 2022”, I wish to present another view with the vision of looking at 2022 and beyond. While the Government is looking at various sites to host various disciplines for this sporting event, I feel that the real focus should still be sports while making infrastructure decisions. A week back the Sports Minister said that he wishes to make Meghalaya India’s sports capital – but on the other hand everyone will agree we are just a drop in the ocean compared to states like Manipur. Manipur’s world class infrastructure has, over the years, nurtured sporting talents and they have proved themselves many times in the world stage. As far as athletics in Meghalaya is concerned, only one region had stood out all the time and this is Mawkyrwat. Sakwang and Shngimawlein has produced many athletes who have excelled in the national platform. If there is anyone from Meghalaya who can bring laurels to our state during the National Games it will be only from this region. For example Krestarjune Pathaw (best of 2hr 37min in 42Km) and Synshar Wahlang( best of 32min in 10Km) might be one of the few athletic prodigies that can make us proud. Mawkyrwat has always been the hotbed of athletics due to many reasons such as genetics, food, and terrain and I cannot think of a better reason why an athletic stadium should not be in Mawkyrwat. This region is poor with farming as the main economy. However, there is great richness in terms of their athletics. This kind of infrastructure will only develop sports in this talented region and who knows what can happen in the future- the next Olympian might just be one of the kids currently running the village roads and playing in the fields. I urge the Government to kindly look at this viewpoint when scouting for meaningful reasons for siting infrastructure for the 2020 National Games.
Yours etc.,
Gerald Pde,
RunMeghalaya,
Via email
State Administrative Tribunals
Editor,
Various offices of Meghalaya are currently burdened with innumerable litigations involving Govt staff against their respective departments, ranging from cases of service promotions, dubious supersession, arbitrary delay of convening of a Departmental Promotion Committee which has fallen due to a plethora of other justifiable or ambiguous service wrangles. Since those at the helm couldn’t offer any commensurate follow up actions for one reason or other, or for adopting a ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude to such sustained representations, the aggrieved functionaries have had to therefore approach the Court of law in consonance with the existing Meghalaya Services (Conduct) Rules, 1990 as specified under Clause 23(2). However, it is regrettable to say that such legal dispute in Civil Courts result in interminable delays and it may sound quaint to say that even after the employee petitioners have retired or are on the verge of retirement from service, courts adjudications are hanging fire which to the petitions could become a redundant exercise. It is an irony that by resorting to such legal options, the petitioners must have shelled out substantial amounts of money through their respective legal counsels. Thus, the cliché: Justice delayed is justice denied is verily applicable in this context.
Perhaps, to address such service run-ins the Central Govt had to officially institute a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) by passing an Act in Parliament in February, 1985 and established under Article 323-A of the Constitution. This Court of justice is broadly manned by the Chairman, Vice Chairman, a Judicial representative and also an administrative expertise. This tribunal becomes the final appellate authority for all intents and purposes on service impugnments. Incidentally the first instant of CAT’s exertion was brought to bear on 1st November, 1985. It is reported that some states like Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka have their own State Administrative Tribunals (SAT) and most likely many states will follow suit. It may be mentioned, however that personnel appointed in Supreme Court, High Court and Defence are not under the ambit of such Tribunals.
The core functions of the said Tribunals are to ensure that the Govt. staff are able to secure natural justice where the law of evidence is not warranted and the clinching adjudication of these Tribunals is irrevocably binding and wherefore no appeals can be made thereafter to any High Court and only with a special leave petition can the Apex Court can be accessed if it is an exceptional detriment to basic spirit of justice. Having a State Tribunal of its own, is a win-win situation for the Govt. of Meghalaya and its employees in the long run. Besides averting wasteful expenditures and loss of precious time, the aggrieved employees can secure speedy justice to the ultimate satisfaction of all concerned. I, therefore, appeal to the Meghalaya Employee’s Federation to introspect over the viability of such effective Tribunals by nudging the present Government to initiate the establishment of such a seat of judgment for the holistic benefit of the Government in general and its entire rank and file workforce in particular.
Yours etc.,
Jerome K. Diengdoh,
Via email