Editor,
Apropos the letter, “Step-motherly treatment of West Khasi Hills ” by Gervasius Nongkseh (ST August 31, 2018) I must clearly state here that West Khasi Hills today comprises two districts West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills and both are still under- developed in road communication, health, education, power, agriculture and allied sectors, industries, tourism and in all other sectors for the last 46 odd years. I wonder when this western sector of Khasi Hills will be fully developed. The blame must largely be borne by the previous elected representatives both to the State Assembly and the Autonomous District Council. In fact, many MLAs from this part of Khasi Hills have been Ministers or in the ruling governments in the past yet the signs of over- all development are hardly visible. Even the two lane road from Shillong to Nongstoin-Riangdo-Rongjeng etc is of recent vintage.
Today the state roads and all link roads in West Khasi Hills are horrible by day and terrible by night. I need not mention about other sectors because they are in shambles. I appeal to the present MLAs and MDCs and the present leaders of West Khasi Hills to pull up their socks and dedicate themselves towards building this part of Meghalaya which is left arid by their predecessors. We cannot blame the State Government for neglecting West Khasi Hills if the leaders elected by the people of this region are not doing their bounden duties and carrying out their responsibilities. The Government will not come to your rescue if you do not know how to get development. The people in this part must also be vigilant and alert and constantly hold their elected representatives accountable. The people of West Khasi Hills have been very in different and shown undue patience for poor development. People of other districts would have created a French Revolution like situation if their districts remained neglected as West Khasi Hills is. Perhaps, they really deserve the representatives they have elected.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via email
Non-Availability Certificate (NAC)
Editor,
Birth and death certificates are compulsory and so is the registration of births and deaths. Hence every event of birth and death (B/D) must be registered at the earliest. It is registered without any fee within 21 days of its occurrence. If registered after 21 days but within 30 days of the event, the same is registered on payment of a late fee. In case of B/D the information of which is given to the Registrar after 30 days but within one year, it must be supported by an affidavit. Delayed registration after one year is done only on the order of a First Class Magistrate and on payment of late fee.
The question of delay in registration of birth and death does not occur in case of hospitals and institutional births and deaths, since the medical officer in charge or any person authorised by him is required to furnish the information to the respective Registrar of Births and Deaths within time. Cases of delayed registration occur mostly in home or noninstitutional B/D.
The Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Law Department vide Memo. No. LR (B).74/2016/ 209, Dated Shillong, the 16th November, 2017 issued to all Deputy Commissioners and SubDivisional Officers (C) had requested them to take necessary action and to instruct all Executive Magistrates empowered with 1st Class magisterial power having the jurisdiction within the district and sub-division (civil) to take up the cases, hear, dispose and pass necessary orders as per the provisions of Births & Deaths Registration Act, 1969 and the Meghalaya Registration of Births and Death Rules, 1999.
The aforesaid development happened due to PIL No. 1 of 2016 filed by Aneeta Synrem versus State of Meghalaya and others. Nowadays, an application seeking an order from the Magistrate First Class to register a birth or death must be supported with a NonAvailability Certificate (NAC) i.e., Form No.10. Many people are unaware of this requirement, hence they face hardships.
To obtain NAC, one is required to make an application to the Registrar/Sub-Registrar of Birth & Death of the unit where the event (i.e., B/D) took place with a request to cause a search in the registration record of the year in which the event occurred. On receipt of such application, the respective office would make a search in the registration record of the year relating to the local area and upon finding that the event is not registered, the authority concerned would issue the NonAvailability Certificate (i.e., Form No. 10). As concerned citizens, we are required to encourage registration of every birth and death within the prescribed time limit and for delay in registration we should ensure that our application seeking order of Magistrate First Class is supported with an NAC
Yours etc,
Aneeta Synrem
Shillong-1
Politician’s divisive tactics
Editor,
We strive for a united and peaceful nation but are divided into smithereens parts not only by illogical prejudices but also by the innumerable political parties prevalent in the country. At least one politician of every political party is continuously seen fighting, debating and revolting against another one.
For instance, given their way some politicians would even expel Navjot Singh Sidhu from the country for attending Imran Khan’s swearing-in ceremony in Pakistan. Sidhu’s visit has been deemed an anti-national act. Meanwhile, Indian politicians like Rahul Gandhi are busy degrading the condition of his own country and people abroad, making it look like a housewife gossiping about her own in-laws in someone else’s home.
Also not forgetting Mr HS Shylla’s very concerned statement regarding HIV//AIDS and its ‘victims.’ Also, flood affected Kerala getting an important news of a 700 crore donation from the U.A.E. deserves a standing applause because it eventually turns out to be erroneous. While people from other countries must be having a great time mocking and laughing at us, Indian politicians are really busy trying to let down people of their own country. What have we come to?
Yours etc.,
Avantika Sharma Via email