Editor,
Apropos the news item, “Water project delay drains Rs 132 crore” (ST Sept 28, 2018) and the letter to the editor,” Need for CBI enquiry into the GSWSS project” by B. Mawlong (ST Oct 4,20l8), as per the CAG report it was revealed that the delay in the completion of Phase III of the GSWSS has led to an unfruitful expenditure of hundreds of crores of rupees. B Mawlong’s letter clearly reveals the mess of PHE projects in the State and exposes the irresponsible and inefficient management of the entire Department for so many years.
We all know and saw and we still see that the entire GSWS Scheme is going to down the drain. Water is leaking everywhere and flows down to Umiam Hydel Project, which ultimately is a blessing to the Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Limited (MePGCL) and this Corporation supplies power to the PHED to pump water to the leaking pipes. What a brilliant idea and what beautiful understanding between these two Departments!
Another disturbing scene is the water pipes are being stocked and dumped carelessly in almost every locality in Shillong. These pipes have been lying by the road side, playgrounds etc. for many years. They are covered with dirt, moss and all kinds of wastes. Rats make their breeding ground inside these pipes; stray dogs and bitches live and breed inside these pipes; even household garbage is being pushed inside these pipes. We all know that rats carry plague and dogs also carry many diseases hence these pipes are exposed to all kinds of contamination. If Phase III of the GSWSS is to take off in the near future and these pipes are utilised what will the general public do? Is it not dangerous to our health? I personally feel that if these pipes are to be laid down and connected for drinking water supply to households, they should be thoroughly washed and sterilized first.
Hence, I humbly beg and request the Honourable High Court to instruct the PHE Department to do the needful. Like Mr Mawlong said, it is high time for a CBI enquiry into the PHED. Responsibility should be fixed and the culprit booked.
Yours etc.,
- Hynniewta
Shillong-1
Parking lot sans electricity
Editor,
The news item, “No CCTVs, cleanliness in Shillong parking lots” (ST 9, October, 2018) has rightly pointed out that the numerous parking lots in and around Shillong lack cleanliness and CCTVs. I wish to draw particular attention to the parking lot at Khlieh Iewduh. While the parking lot does accommodate a number of vehicles both commercial and private, ranging from trucks (that feed the entire population of the state) to two wheelers and every evening the lessee does clean up the place by sweeping all dirt and garbage, yet all this work is being done by men in a public place that does not even have electricity. The only lighting they get is through the torch that they wear on their helmets. Since there is no electricity, the place wears a very eerie look once it gets dark. So the question of placing CCTV cameras in this parking lot must walk hand in hand with proper electricity connections and lighting. In the past brawls, anti-social activities of all kinds in this parking lot were being reported, especially once it gets dark. I urge the concerned authority in the Urban Affairs Department to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and provide this place the basic minimum need of proper lighting, sewage management, CCTVs, etc. And since this is part of the Cantonment area too, one is surprised that the military is not contributing towards lighting up the place at least.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
Curse of caste in India
Editor,
According to Human Development Report 2018, India is placed at 130th position. Among our neighbouring countries, we are behind Sri Lanka (76), China (86) and Maldives (101) and ahead of Bhutan (134), Bangladesh (136), Myanmar (148), Nepal (149), Pakistan (150) and Afghanistan (168). India must try to beat Sri Lanka to be at the top in the region by ensuring right to education and health care for all the citizens. However, minimum positive actions and positive discriminations have been taken in our country in favour of the backward class in the form of subsidies and the backward castes in the form of reservations in government jobs to make public administration free from caste bias. This makes us perform at least better than six of our neighbouring countries.
As a matter of fact, the human development report has praised India’s reservation policy. The report says that even though the reservation policy “has not remedied caste – based exclusions,” it has “substantial positive effects”. It has pointed out that “in 1965, for example, Dalits held fewer than 2% of senior civil service position, but the share had grown to 11% by 2001”. The HDR also hailed the national rural employment guarantee programme as a “prime example” of “combining social protection with appropriate employment strategies”.
It is a pity that vested interests with the help of constant propaganda have become successful in making a sizeable section of the people believe that our policies of reservation for backward castes and subsidy for backward class are the cause of our lack of development. On the contrary, India would have been in the bracket of Pakistan and Afghanistan had we not pursued positive discrimination. The human development report clearly acknowledges the merit of such inclusive policies.
Majority of Indians have still been subjected to two layered discriminations – caste and class – since ages. This is not to confuse caste with class. A Dalit will be recognised as a Dalit and face religious and social exclusion even if she or he has money power. This is the overall truth barring a few exceptions here and there. A somewhat affluent Dalit was killed a few months ago in Gujarat just for riding a horse. In many parts of our country, money cannot give Dalits rights even to sport moustaches, let alone riding motorcycles.
So, to add an economic criterion to determine eligibility of an SC/ ST for promotion is nothing but to water down the concept of proportional representation of Dalits in public administration. When an SC or ST becomes eligible for a promotion in the government sector, it will be highly unfortunate if the economic or class qualification deprives the person from getting the benefits. Thus, the higher castes dynamics will remain the name of the game as a person from higher caste gets the opportunity of replacing a Dalit in a post which is earmarked for a Dalit. This will break the backbone of caste balance of power and push India’s HDI rank further behind.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata