Editor,
While the news item, “Umsning by-pass to be ready this month” (ST October 8, 2018) has brought a ray of hope and we are grateful to the authorities concerned, it may be mentioned here that a similar news report was also published some four to five months ago (May 15, 2018). In the meantime there has been a lot of in-convenience faced by the land owners all along the same stretch of the Umsning by-pass due to absence of proper regulations for vehicles plying along this road, especially when it comes to heavy vehicles. There had been some serious accidents occurring during this time period. So who is to be held accountable for this? The school going children, especially the little ones have really suffered due to improper regulations and absence of signals.
The NHAI officials have not considered addressing the issue of connecting the entry and exit points to private lands connected to the bypass for convenience. In addition, most of the culverts constructed are filled with mud and the fish ponds have perished forever. The low lying areas, some with paddy fields are now all doomed and all our complaints do not seemed to have any effect. Will somebody come to our rescue? We are left at the mercy of the NHAI authorities!
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Not even cosmetic changes in MDA
Editor,
Much has been written about the present MDA Govt and its political appointments where even senior members of the Congress Party are being wooed by the Nationalist People’s Party (NPP). What is the NPP trying to prove? That it can get Congress people to migrate and strengthen the Party? One thing must be clearly understood. Those in the Congress today are tried and tested and not worth taking into the NPP. If Conrad Sangma’s Party wants to make a difference to Meghalaya then it ought to find young people with leadership qualities and train them in the crucible of the Party. They are more likely to remain loyal to the Party than to the post dangled before their eyes. It’s one thing that people like DD Lapang have no shame about taking on the post of Advisor to the Government when his mental faculties are no longer at their optimum. It’s another case that they still find work. No one can be expected o remain mentally agile after the age of 85.
The MDA is walking the tightrope of keeping its coalition partners happy so they don’t walk out and form some other coalition perhaps with support from the Congress. Politics in Meghalaya is so unpredictable that MLAs can sacrifice their loyalties just to be given some political appointment. Meanwhile the Govt is busy just tying itself up in knots because trying to meet the aspirations of its ambitious party men and women. This is where political sagacity matters and maturity too. Conrad Sangma is trying his best to placate all just to remain in power. This will not work because Govt can no longer pay for services not rendered. In fact there must be public vigilance to check how much the present Govt is spending per month to pay the political appointees. This Government like its predecessors is also hell bent on reviving mining without counting the environmental costs involved. Meghalaya like its sister states has been facing Climate Change in many forms – the present one being Cyclone Titli. The MDA Govt has to work full steam to ensure that the first phase of development begins soon. Sadly, other than the Jackfruit and Fisheries missions there is no kick-starting of any programme to benefit the people of Meghalaya. Those who believed that Conrad Sangma and his team will be strict with implementing and monitoring projects are now beginning to be disappointed. It’s bad enough that social audit which is meant to check corruption was only a poll gimmick of Mukul Sangma and has now come a cropper. When will we get a Govt that delivers?
Yours etc.
Tomsine Lyngdoh,
Via email
Uncle Lapang as Adviser to the Govt?
Editor,
It really amused me and perhaps others to read the news report regarding the appointment of grand uncle D.D Lapang as the Chief Adviser to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and to the present MDA government of Meghalaya. I only wonder what type of advice the Uncle can give when as the former Chief Minister of the state he did not display any extraordinary calibre or performance and in fact during his tenure as CM his government had no vision and mission except commission and mediocrity. However, in the eyes of the present CM perhaps he sees some sound reasons of long lasting political benefits. Again, it may be foolish on our part to underestimate the wisdom, shrewdness and sagacity of experienced people like uncle Lapang, especially in politics.
However, resigning from the Congress party from which he has drawn huge succour and a splendid career, at the fag end of his political career does not speak very well at all of him, although resigning from the party is his prerogative. Definitely, he must be fired up for some extraneous considerations hence the decision that he took. Also perhaps his resignation has something to do with the new appointment. Any way if it serves his purpose well who are we to pass any judgement or comment.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via emai