Editor,
Every now and again we read and hear the slogan, “Jago Grahak Jago.” Through various means consumers are made aware of their rights and how and where to file a complaint in case of any deficiency of service and delivery of faulty goods. Reading all these no doubt gives confidence to the common people and they muster courage and file complaints before the concerned District Consumer Forums for redressal of their grievances with high hopes of obtaining justice.
Alas, reality is far too bitter. Consumer cases are to be disposed of within a span of three months except for cases which require expert opinions as per the Consumer laws, but, cases in our District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum are not disposed of for years, despite the presence of parties on most of the dates. There are cases where verdicts are also not passed for years, thereby sending signals of discouragement to all consumers who become victims of big business. An already suffering consumer suffers even more due to the delay in delivery of justice. Any consumer who has filed a complaint in the Forum can relate to this and I am sure is deterred from filing any case in future even if it means a big financial loss to himself/herself.
I, on behalf of all the consumers who are fighting for their rights in the Forum with great distress but also with hope, would request the concerned authorities including the High Court to kindly look into the matter so that the common man does not lose faith in these Forums.
Yours etc.,
An aggrieved consumer,
Name withheld on request
Soon the school rush
Editor,
It must be admitted that ever since schools and colleges have been on vacation, traffic jams has eased relatively. This tells us the reason for traffic jams – school traffic converging on the roads from all directions and nearly all landing up in and around Laitumkhrah, Don Bosco and Dhankheti points. We have heard of traffic solutions being discussed at IIM Shillong but are not aware of whether the points arising out of the discussion are being imp0lemented or whether this too is another ‘talk shop’ which anyways are a dime a dozen in Shillong, nay in this country of talkers. To my mind, and as some wit had recommended in this columns, all schools especially the elite missionary schools and Pine Mount School should have their own school buses. This will greatly reduce the number of vehicles on the road. The Army, BSF, Air Force etc., have their own school buses to ferry students to different schools. Some of these elite schools around the Laitumkhrah-Don Bosco -Dhanketi circumference have been heard to say that they don’t have space for parking the school buses. Well, whose problem is that? Certainly the citizens of Shillong cannot be punished by getting trapped in traffic jams for hours just because of some school’s unwillingness to cooperate with the system.
Indeed, Shillong traffic is spiralling crazily and governments past and present have failed to rein in the errant school authorities. Why so? Is it because the sons and daughters of high ranking government officials and politicians are studying there? If some schools are using school buses, then why exempt others? Why should preferential treatment be given to some schools that charge hefty amounts as fees?
Before the schools reopen this year can we expect the MDA Government to take up this matter with the urgency it deserves? Schools may complain that they don’t have funds to requisition/buy school buses. How have others done it? Let them learn to come up with a revenue model that works.
Yours etc.,
BR Ranee,
Via email