Editor,
Apropos the article, “Petroleum price hike: A political game” by K K Muktan (ST May 26, 2018), I would like to say that it is indeed a political game, because I feel that some vested interest groups are deliberately shifting all the blame of petroleum price hike to the central government only whereas it is not a hidden fact to any one that the state governments across the country are equally, if not more, also responsible for the present condition. Irrational taxes are levied on petroleum products by both these entities. While it is true that the central govt. must take the pivotal role in minimizing the taxes levied, it is also expected from the state governments to follow suit in a positive manner. One wonders as to why petroleum was not brought into the GST ambit. And remember, the GST Council has most of the state finance ministers as working members!
Yours etc.,
Partha Sarathi Gupta,
Via email
Democracy needs questioning citizens!
Editor,
An article such as, ‘Who actually owns NEIGRIHMS?'(ST May 25, 2018) by Patricia Mukhim is the need of the hour. As rightly pointed out, in a democracy the politicians alone are not responsible for development (or the lack of it). If people don’t question the policies of the government, true development will continue to elude this region. Providing Health and Education is the responsibility of the government. We cannot therefore allow the government to shirk its responsibility. In most parts of the country the people don’t expect the government to provide quality education to children and it’s taken for granted when most of the children are admitted to private schools. In fact several government schools are being closed due to lack of students.
However, the government is still a major provider of health care. If we don’t question the government, this might also become like the education sector. I think institutions like NEIGRIHMS should have an ‘open’ day wherein the public is invited to visit the hospital and question the authorities regarding the facilities. While The writers mentioned about the Radiotherapy machine which is functional at the civil hospital, it is important to note that the new cancer wing is supposed to have a state of the art Radiotherapy machine which has not been procured, despite funds being sanctioned by the central government, due to official apathy. And there is talk about outsourcing the Radiotherapy services to a corporate health care provider.
However, few citizens seem to be aware of this, leave alone question the government. Hope your article will encourage youngsters to obtain information via RTI and other means and influence government policies. NGOs and student bodies should take keen interest in this as the future belongs to them.
Yours etc.,
A questioning voice.
Name withheld on request
Massacred by price rise!
Editor,
On Sunday morning, after getting back from market, I felt very sad because of the rising prices of essential commodities. But then, I read in the news report about Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar’s prescription to observe Sundays as Fundays ~ as a day without criticism in order to ensure happiness. It was, as it were, some sorts of magic realism as just half an hour ago, I did relate to a goat that had happily been munching jackfruit leaves while waiting in the queue at the butcher’s!
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Via email
Wanted a robust educational policy!
Editor,
I would like to congratulate all the toppers of SSLC for their wonderful achievement in this year’s exam. Day by day our education system is becoming more challenging hence our state needs a robust education mechanism to be at par with other states. Our new government has taken initiatives to overhaul the system but there needs to be an extremely innovative and sensitive education policy in the future that can bring tremendous laurels to the state. When we compare our state’s textbook with that of state which uses NCERT books, the latter has better fundamental knowledge. So, it is the onus of the new state govt to bring revolutionary changes in education policy and shape our state by producing numerous civil servants and technicians who can help in the progress of Meghalaya. .
Yours etc.
Barnon A. Nangna
Dobasipara Tura