Editor,
The traffic regulation imposed on the people of the city especially pertaining to the movement of the Shillong Public Transport Service from Motphran to areas like Laitumkhrah, Nongthymmai, Nongrah, Rynjah, NEIGRIHMS etc., is mind boggling.. As of now, the SPTS buses that go to these places are to pass through Jeep Stand, Garikhana, Lukier Road, Rilbong Point, Military Hospital, Rhino Point, Civil Hospital and then move towards their destination. If one is to bear witness to the plight of the people at Motphran especially in the evening hours one would surely understand their frustration and anger. First of all, people going to the above mentioned destinations are reluctant to board the SPTS buses as they do not want to go through a roundabout way to reach their destinations. Besides, we all know that traffic jams are a common feature in Shillong. No one has the patience nor the time to go through this long- winded route. People are left at the mercy of the taxis and maxi cabs to take them home. This means that the buses to the above areas go almost empty as they fail to meet the purpose for which they were pressed into service in the first place..
To ease the inconvenience and anxiety of the people, I suggest that buses that go to Mawlai, Mawroh, Mawiong may continue to go through Jeep Stand and Garikhana and then proceed towards their destination while buses that are bound for Laitumkhrah, Nongthymmai, Nongrah, etc may be allowed to circle the Motphran monument and take the route via G.S Road to reach Police Bazar and proceed towards their respective destinations. This will enable passengers to use the SPTS buses to the maximum. Perhaps this will also help minimise the number of vehicles all along the highway.
I am sure the authorities concerned are trying hard to find out ways and means to ease traffic congestion but to achieve their objectives they also need to understand the ground realities by touching base with the passengers and consulting stakeholders such as the taxi and bus drivers. Therefore the involvement of experts along with members from the Taxi and Bus Association and discerning passengers may bear much fruit.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
GST and MRP
Editor,
The concept of MRP is the Maximum Retail Price that an item or product can be sold. This price is indicated in the body of the product itself. However, after the introduction of GST it is seen that a number of sellers are charging the GST amount over and above the indicated MRP. Is this legal? For instance, the major pharmacies in Police Bazar actually give you cash memos which clearly indicate the percentage of GST added to the cost of the medicine which makes the item costlier than the MRP. Has MRP become redundant in the new GST regime? Can the authorities concerned kindly provide clarity to the common man.
Yours etc.,
Sanjeeb Kakoty
Shillong 14.
Gold Rush
Editor,
Your eye-opening report “Gold, silver slide on global cues, fall in demand” (March 3) gives a loud & clear message to Indians that in bad times, it is gold, hoarded and accumulated bit by bit over decades, which is the saviour. Investors all over the world do tend to consider gold a safe option and put their money in it. Every year, one-fifth of the world’s gold is consumed in India. Today, most Indian women do not have much of a say in the investment the husband makes in stocks and shares, bank deposits or real estate. Gold grants social and financial security to women. It is said that next to the husband, a woman always loves her jewellery most, and, in some cases, it is dearer to her than her husband. Our traditions too have laid emphasis on gold as a symbol of prosperity. Experience shows that if one wishes to invest in gold, it is always better to buy gold or biscuits rather than jewellery.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad