Editor,
Election to the next Lok Sabha in our State is scheduled for the 11th April next. Co-incidentally just over a month back, polls to the KHADC and JHADC were jointly conducted on February 28, 2019. And as a responsible citizen, I had duly cast my vote to elect a member of my respective constituency to the District Council.
However, the indelible ink-mark pasted on my left index finger by the polling Officer on that date in question is still noticeable. And on account of this visibility, I am afraid that on that fateful day my right to vote could be barred by the Election officials owing to the fading but recognizable ink-mark on my finger which is still sticking out as if I’m playing like an ill-at-ease host to an unwanted guest. In view of this worrisome nagging fact, I, therefore, appeal to the incumbent Chief Election Officer of Meghalaya to ensure that I, or perhaps others like me, am not denied of my inalienable right of exercising a franchise on April 11th, 2019 or, much less, accused of being an impostor either!
Yours etc.,
Jerome K. Diengdoh,
Shillong-2
Ksan tragedy a slur on Meghalaya
Editor,
The Ksan mining tragedy in East Jaintia Hills on December 13, 2018 has exposed the reality of rat hole mining; how dangerous it is and how much it affects the life of the poor who enter those death traps. But why is it that coal owners still employ people to dig out coal despite the danger that they know these labourers face? Most of the time the answer is, “because coal mining is their only livelihood.”Every mine owner says this and makes it appears that hundreds and thousands of people depend on this inhuman mode of mining coal. These owners need to understand that earning money at the cost of engendering lives is a violation of human rights. The owners are already financially well established in their lives so starting a new business should not be much of a problem. They must realize that coal should not be their only means of earning money.
The owners must realize that this form mining is not only illegal but dangerous to the environment and to the lives of people as well. The other problem with rat hole mining is that these labourers do not know most of their rights and are easily exploited by their owners. They work without proper safeguards and no medical facilities. They are not made aware on what to do during an emergency. Most of the owners are also responsible for employing persons without a proper background check which is again an illegal act and an offence.
The incident at Ksan has brought shame upon the owners and the people and Government of Meghalaya as a whole. The Government should be strict to the extent that no such incident should ever happen again otherwise it won’t be long before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposes another 100 crore fine on the state Government .
Yours etc.,
Reakor Shisha Kharkrang,
Shillong – 9
Time to stop ghost schools in Meghalaya
Editor,
It is not only unfortunate but also frightening to learn that in Meghalaya there many ghost schools belonging to private individuals and some politicians drawing succour from the government. This is indeed a very sad and shameful development. These schools belong to the ad-hoc as well as grant in aid categories. According to the general secretary of JACATAM who spoke to the media on Tuesday the percentage of ghost ad-hoc schools in Meghalaya is about 10 % or so. I wonder what the DSEOs, SEOs and ASEOs doing when they have been appointed by the government to inspect schools in towns and villages to find out irregularities and malpractices in such schools. If these education officers are really sincere in doing their duties and if they really inspect all schools then how can ghost schools escape their attention? If in spite of regular inspections by the officers the ghost schools still exist it must be with the tacit consent of these officers or that they are prevented by powerful people in government and politics not to touch these schools. It is high time that these types of schools are closed down and those who perpetrate this evil deed should be put behind bars. I appeal to the Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui, to make a serious and time-bound enquiry into such schools throughout the state and if such schools are found they should be shut down for good and the wrong doers be punished according to law. They should also be made to refund whatever grants that they have drawn from Government so far.
Your etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via-Email.