Editor,
Apropos the article, by Patricia Mukhim, ‘Govt should accord top priority to Public Health'( ST July 20, 2018), I was glad to see a very pertinent issue being raised. But while the writer had raised the issue of high incidence of cancer in Meghalaya( and the Northeast region), I was disappointed at the glaring omission of the major causes of cancer. While contaminants in food may cause cancer, it is well known that substances such as tobacco and betel nut are the major causes of cancer. According to the GATS 2 (global adult tobacco survey), while the national average for consumption of tobacco is 28.6% of all persons over the age of 15 years, the same is as high as 47% for Meghalaya. The state is spending a lot of resources on treating cancer, which, if spent on preventive aspects of healthcare, would be much more effective and economical. Also, this would result in better productivity of the population. If the existing laws on tobacco control are better implemented, this would go a long way in improving public health.
Smoking in public places, sale of tobacco products to minors, sale of tobacco products near educational institutions, sale of loose cigarettes, etc are all banned by existing laws such as COTPA and Juvenile Justice Act, but need to be enforced. This will not be possible unless there is a concerted effort by various departments of the Government concerned. I appeal to the media and the public to ensure that the role of tobacco and betel nut as the prime carcinogens is not diluted by other issues. And, as stressed in the article, the state should follow policies which focus on Public Health and ensure that youngsters should grow in an environment free of the evil influence of tobacco and betel nut.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Caleb Harris M.Ch.
Surgical Oncologist,
Shillong -18
MPSC – belated attempts at transparency
Editor,
Apropos the news item, “Provide Info on Affected Candidates”(ST July 19, 2018), firstly I would refrain from touching upon the exchanges between the KSU and MPSC and restrict myself to commenting on the new measures adopted or yet to be adopted by the MPSC to bring in more transparency and accountability in its process of recruitment.
MPSC may have started to disclose the marks obtained in Written Tests/Interviews but this measure was introduced only recently after prolonged resistance by the Commission that a few candidates were opposed to having their scores displayed on the public domain. Nevertheless, the above step adopted by MPSC, though belatedly, should be appreciated. However, this action should be construed as being only one step in the right direction and MPSC should take more steps to ensure that its recruitment process become free of any scope/possibility for undue influences.
For instance, if MPSC wishes to be seen as practicing fair selection of candidates, it should immediately dispense with the requirement of conducting interviews for all Group C and non-gazetted Group B posts as has already been done by the Central Government and later on implemented by 21 States in the country so far. In this connection, I would like to refer to my earlier letter to the editor of this newspaper entitled, “When Will Meghalaya Abolish Interviews” (ST May25, 2018) where I had tried to draw attention to newspaper reports (ST May19th&20th) about the Central Government censuring nine states (including Meghalaya) for ignoring to implement the “no more interviews” policy for the categories of posts mentioned earlier and of Tripura becoming the 21st state to adopt this policy.
It may be informed that 21 states implemented the above policy consequent to Letter No.39020/09/2015-Esstt(B) dated 28th January 2016 circulated to all the States and Union Territories by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions with the objective of eliminating unfairness in appointment to government posts. This letter is on the public domain and can be accessed from the above Ministry’s Website.
Significantly, the above letter also refers to correspondences dated Sep 4, 2015 and Sep 29, 2015 from the Secretary(Personnel) of the above Central Ministry addressed to all State Chief Secretaries and from the concerned Minister of State addressed to all Chief Ministers emphasising that no more interviews should be undertaken for the mentioned categories of posts. Perhaps our Government/MPSC are in the know of these developments and if so ,it shows their deep reluctance to implement this policy which is simply astounding. A clarification from concerned authorities would clear the air, I suppose.
To conclude, those in authority should not be surprised at all that there exists an atmosphere of deep distrust surrounding Government Job Recruitment especially in the aftermath of the disastrous teachers’ recruitment controversy which is still awaiting resolution.
Yours etc.,
Samuel Swett
Shillong- 2.