Editor,
Apropos the denial by NEIGRIHMS (“NEIGRIHMS denies doctors vacation affecting service” ST, 29th March, 2018”) in response I had written a letter to editor, ‘Of arbitrary rules in NEIGRIHMS’, (ST, April 2nd 2018), and explained in details about the troubles encountered by a friend of mine who had gone to get a relative operated in NEIGRIHMS and had trouble due to the vacation of Anaesthesiologists. The administration of NEIGRIHMS denied that this vacation affected routine services.
But it is sad that this practice continues, even for the Summer vacation- June 2018. I could get a copy of the circular issued by the HOD Anaesthesiology, with a copy to the Director, NEIGRIHMS showing the reduction in the routine Operation Theatre Schedule to the tune of 30 to 50% reduction. I am not against doctors going on vacation, but this should not affect patient care. I am told that most of the doctors are not happy with this vacation schedule thrust on them by the present Director. Will the Director, NEIGRIHMS, who falsely refuted this in the above mentioned press release, answer now? Or is it still a case of less patients turning up for surgery, as purported by him earlier? I am sending you copies of the OT roster from June 1-20 for your perusal.
Yours etc.,
Megha B. Mahendra
RTI Activist
via email,
Mumbai -6
No law and order on Shillong streets
Editor,
These days taxis and red buses have started breaking all the rules of the road by stopping anywhere they like, including in the middle of the road so they can pick up passengers. In a city that is choc-a-bloc with traffic it is important that all drivers of private or commercial vehicles maintain strict discipline. But this is not happening and we wonder where are the Enforcement officers of the District Transport Office? Are they not supposed to check overcrowding of taxis which violate the upper limit as far as carrying passengers is concerned? Also I have noticed that quite a good number of the big SPTS buses are driven by young rookies. You wonder how these adolescents got their licenses for heavy vehicles from the DTO and whether they were taken for a test drive.
Another point I have noted is that drivers in Shillong speak on mobile phones while driving despite the rules which say driving and speaking on mobile is punishable. At such times the driver who is speaking on the mobile phone tends to slow down and in turn slows down the pace of other vehicles behind too. Disciplining taxis and all drivers is within the purview of the District Administration. The DC East Khasi Hills should come out on the streets to witness the chaos created by local taxis and buses that don’t obey the rules.
Yours etc.,
Anton Nongkynrih,
Via email
Shillong, smart city!
Editor,
It is indeed really very good news that at last the name of Shillong has been included in the list of Smart Cities of the country. Now it will depend upon the State Government machinery to implement the guidelines which will be provided by the Central Government. The basic issues according to me will be to decongest the roads, better waste management practices, regular supply of electricity, regular water supply, regular cleaning of the drains and roads and footpaths, lanes , bye lanes etc. Police Bazar being the focal point of the tourists will need special attention in view of the encroachment of the hawkers and vendors who give the area a bad look and make it dirty and full of garbage.
Shillong as we all know is respected for its hospitality towards the tourists visiting the state and they go with accolades of the people of the area. It will be duty of each and every one of us to live up to glory and honour of Shillong which is regarded as ‘’Scotland of the East.’’
Yours etc.,
S.L Singhania
Via email
Shillong smart at last!
Editor,
I was just reading an article in your paper, Smart Cities, Unsmart Planning by Shashi Shikha who writes that more than the digital network cities need basic drainage and sewerage that are well planned and can be relied upon to carry the waste water to its destination. In Shillong, it is common to see roads constructed without drains. Hence the storm water carries off the back topping of roads and they have to be repaired every six months. And by the way do any other smart cities have as many speed breakers as this soon-to-be smart city has. Go round the city and you will see speed breakers of all shapes and sizes and they seem to be put up without any specification. Is this allowed anywhere else? Is there no rule or guideline as to why speed breakers are required and hat their size and shape should be? Many of them cannot be seen because they are narrow and jut out of nowhere very suddenly. People who have visited here find the speed breakers crazy and wonder why the public allows it. Perhaps visitors are not aware that every locality here is a law unto itself.
A smart city cannot have a road like the one reported in your paper (Goralane to Spead Eagle Falls) which is likely to cause a fatal accident if the repair work is not taken up soon. That such a road can be part of Laitumkhrah constituency makes us dumbfounded. It should be decided forthwith as to who has the responsibility to repair and maintain this road. That the matter lies unresolved shows poor governance.
There are many things that make a smart city. I hope this Government is equal to the task and that the Smart City project will not be just a slogan.
Yours etc.,
JS Mawlong,
Via email