Editor,
Apropos the letter, “Rahul’s final assault on poverty”, by Samares Bandyopadhyay (ST, March 30, 2019), I am in total agreement with the contents of his letter. Doles/freebies promised by our politicians on the eve of elections inflict serious injury to the country’s financial health after every election. The politicians would not pay a single paisa from their own pocket. So how will the extra expenses be met after Govt formation? Where will such huge amounts of money come from? Let me assure you, the political parties know very well about the source of funds! Where does the proposed the fund lie? Well, the inevitable answer is, with, “the middle class”. Yes, they would gleefully squeeze the middle class in every way possible in order to please their “poorest 25 crore” after the election. This is not the first occasion that a political party promised something very big for their favourite “poor” electorates. But every time the victim is one and only one, be it the distribution of 2/3 Rupees per kg rice or free laptops/bicycles or free medical facilities! And this is the middle class! The middle class is very cleverly and shamelessly, made to compensate for the shortfall in the exchequer due to expenses made on freebies/doles. As for myself, I am compelled to pay Rs 950-1000 at present for a bag of rice for which I used to pay Rs.650-700 a couple of years ago. Now, my question is: Why on earth should a “poor” person feel the necessity to work at all if he/she is getting everything free of cost? Am I wrong? Please take the pain of correcting me if anyone feels that I am wrong.
Yours etc.,
PS Gupta,
Via email
Non-functioning LokAyukta
Editor,
It is a matter of great concern for the general public that the Govt, of Meghalaya has taken no steps to activate the functioning of the office of the Meghalaya Lokayukta for reasons best known to them. It may be recalled that the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 was passed by Parliament as far back as on January 1, 2013, by which each State was required to establish the LokAyukta within one year i.e. latest by 31st December 2013. The Meghalaya LokAyukta Act was passed thereafter in March 2014. However, even after that, it took Meghalaya more than four years before the Chairperson of the LokAyukta was finally appointed by the present Government and sworn in by the Hon’ble Governor in November 2018, after a strict order was passed by the Supreme Court.
At long last I have seen a news item in your esteemed newspaper dated March 24, 2019 that complaints can be filed with the Secretary of the LokAyukta but even now the LokAyukta has no office premises and no staff. If a complaint is filed it will surely be only lying pending in the absence of any office or staff or Inspection or prosecution wings. The Government has appointed a lame-duck LokAyukta. I hope and trust that the Government will take urgent steps to activate the LokAyukta so that it can start functioning effectively.
Yours etc.,
Pawan Sharma
Shillong – 2
Say ‘No’ to NOTA
Editor,
As the Lok Sabha election is nearing we have a vital role to play in ensuring the credibility and sanctity of the electoral process so that democracy works smoothly. We can strengthen the government structure by ensuring that the right kind of representatives is elected. We should not get carried away by some evil forces that vitiate the positive environment by their malicious campaigns, or those that compromise with the unity, integrity , security , eternal value systems and the developmental journey of our country. We must use our valuable right to cast our votes and elect an empowered, able and responsive government. We should not press NOTA in the EVM as that is a manifestation of regressive politics without any productivity. It simply increases the probability of electing the wrong candidate. Representatives are elected by the people, so we must come out and vote for a representative who is committed to national interests, people’s welfare and eternal value system with focus on developmental governance. We must give priority to our nation and use our right to elect a sensible people’s representative.
Yours etc.,
Anil Singh Roka,
Via email