Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the competent authorities of Reliance Jio Network to the pathetic internet connectivity of their mobile network in the Mawlai area, particularly over Iewrynghep-Nongkwar. Previously, when the Jio network was just launched, the services were undeniably satisfactory and the internet speed was up to the mark. However, over the past few months (and if I recall correctly, immediately after Aircel shut down its services, though I cannot genuinely correlate the two), the Jio internet services have become absolutely terrible. It gets worst during the night when the net speed can actually be compared to a snail’s pace. Reliance Jio promised all of its customers good and reliable service but if the existing situation is anything to go by then it seems its promises are shallow and weak just like their existing network. If Reliance Jio does not address this problem soon, many of its customers will surely port over to some other service provider. I request the management to take up this matter seriously and speedily.
Yours etc.,
Keith Nongsteng,
Via email
Hawkers overstepping their limits
Editor,
A brisk profession fort someone could be a source of worry for others. The traders who first encourage the hawkers at their doorsteps are now feeling the pinch as hawkers have literally taken over most commercial spaces. The stalls particularly in the outer portion of the MUDA complex, Police Bazar, can tell you their sad stories better than others. The fact is simply mind-boggling. In front of each stall are 2 to 3 hawkers spreading their own merchandise. This again is topped up by the “moving vendors” selling children cookies and toys. The stall owners have nothing to feel excited about in such a situation. Who will take a long walk, by hopping and skipping to reach up to their stalls to buy their goods? So ridiculous is the situation that there are a number of selfie freaks taking pictures amid this quirky background and posting them on social media with the caption, Shillong – Scotland of the East.
A lady stall owner says, “70% of our prospective buyers just give up the idea of visiting our far-flung stalls”. Another adjoining stall owner cuts in — “we only expect to have some usiness when it rains because the hawkers can’t spread their wares. We fervently pray to the rain-God that it rains non-stop in the city.” One of the oldest businessmen remarks: “Hawkers who have occupied over 80% of the roads in Khyndailad have totally marred the beauty of Shillong and also kicked us hard on our stomachs. For many of us, it has become very difficult to pay the rent for our shops and meet our day-to-day expenses.” But one sensible stall owner feels, “we don’t mind if poor hawkers are allowed after 5 PM but not from the early morning. What could be funnier than the fact that the hawkers have no qualms to spread out their items much before we open our shop in the early morning!” Yes, with the rich corporate business houses doing roaring business selling their small-to-big items online, the retail traders have been badly hurt.
As far as Government is concerned there is complete absence of “resistance,” hence the number of hawkers in Shillong city is increasing every day. In some places, the footpaths are completely taken over. Chances are that the pedestrians might get off-balance and be knocked down by passing vehicles. Parents must be extra careful while walking with their children because every moment is a nightmare.
Here the growing concern is how the public continue to put up with the inconvenience while the government remains a mute spectator. Such rampant encroachment of the public pathways/roads should be stopped forthwith. The authorities concerned must be vigilant before the roads are completely gobbled up. Of course, we sympathize with the poor hawkers but not at the cost of senseless encroachment. Or else, Shillong as a Scotland of the East is only an exaggerated false pride!
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Via email
Candies in lieu of coins
Editor,
It is a common practice in Meghalaya to be given candies in lieu of one rupee coins. No amount of heated exchange will yield results. This is not acceptable and should be made an illegal transaction by the Reserve Bank of India and also by the Government of Meghalaya. It is not fair especially for pharmacies to be pushing all kinds of candies to their customers in lieu of coins because the customers can never eat those candies since some of them are diabetics. In any case a customer purchasing goods should not be pushed in a ‘take it or leave it’ corner and accept what the dealer deals out. Actually the Consumer Courts should take suo-moto notice of this and haul up any dealer who takes recourse to such practices and I can assure the Courts that there are many shops which continue to practice this without any attempt to get their quota of change from the banks.
Yours etc.,
Albert J Mawlein,
Via email