Editor,
I read with great interest your report, “RKM demonstrates no-internet online classes” (ST Sept 15, 2020). Being not so techno-savvy, I am inclined to believe that this is a timely creation of a software that would be a game-changer for many of us who are handicapped owing to lack of internet facility. The “HIKAI” project is said to be free for all students of MBOSE. I understand that the hybrid platform can be used in a wi-fi zone with the help of a local server.
What I note with immense delight is that the platform is not the usual practice of sending notes and videos on social media, rather it is a new approach which enables students to access a two-way communication in real time and through an android App which is not dependent on the internet. As a teacher, I think it will be handy tool for people like me and also a blessing for my students.
Hence I am interested in finding out how to get hold of the App. I would like our Education Department to throw some light on this since classes may not start in the immediate future. Let the Department examine and certify the App for wider use in the rural areas where internet is missing or irregular.
Yours etc.,
P.D.Marwein,
Via email.
Farcical LPG subsidy
Editor,
Currently, the government subsidises 12 cylinders of 14.2 kilograms each per household per year. For additional purchase of LPG cylinders the consumer has to pay the market price. The subsidy provided by the government on the annual quota of 12 refills varies from month to month. The LPG subsidy that is provided by government during the pandemic lockdown period from March 25, 2020 gradually reduced from Rs 189.58 (April 2020) to Rs.19.58 (in Sep 2020) an all time low without any rhyme or reason when the price of crude has a falling trend throughout the world. This 95% reduction of subsidy during a period of 6 months is a farcical subsidy for ostentation only and looks like it aims to close down the kitchens of senior citizens and the bulk of the middle class citizens who have fallen prey to an unprecedented jobless situation in the country- a welfare state. After another six months is the central government mooting imposition of levy instead of providing subsidy per LPG cylinder to the consumer-citizens to keep their kitchen fires burning?
What about the crony millionaire politicians including MPs & MLAs, elected representatives of people voted to power by the people, who are enjoying more than 12 LPG cylinders a year and at what rate ? Are they prepared to submit affidavits to the Election Commission stating the number of LPG cylinders they use are with cent percent subsidy? The essence of transparency in a parliamentary democracy is demonstrated by the courage of the leaders to set an example that the common people can emulate. Here, the elected have become VIPs while people have become poorer with every passing day.
Yours etc.,
Samares Bandyopadhyay
Advocate, Kolkata High Court,
Via email
Dissecting charges against District Councils
Editor,
The BJP allegation of scams in the District Councils has taken two interesting turns in the past one week. After a war of statements between BJP and NPP presidents, Congress has made the first move when former chief minister Mukul Sangma called on the Governor seeking his intervention for a CBI probe. And, more interestingly, BJP Minister A L Hek has taken a public stand in line with the stand of the party. Hek has announced that he would take it up with the chief minister for an investigation. Clearly, both Mukul Sangma and Hek have their own axes to grind.
Sangma has seized the opportunity provided by its adversary BJP for scoring brownie points. By singling out only the GHADC related scam, the Leader of the Opposition has let the cat out of the bag. He is targeting the Sangma Brothers whose names indirectly figure in the BJP allegations. It is a no brainer that Mukul Sangma is trying to pin down and embarrass the Sangma Brothers now virtually ruling the roost in the state.
However, when a probe is conducted into the murky affairs of the District Councils, the Congress too will have to do a lot of answering. Let us not forget the party was in power for last two/three terms in all the District Councils. And there were irregularities galore. Financial bungling, irregular and random appointment of party supporters, allotment of contracts and other goodies were distributed at the behest of the Congress. Therefore, Congress too should be ready to face the charges and not apportion the blame at the doorstep of the present dispensation.
The belated response of Hek is also not difficult to fathom. He is clearly trying to keep pace with the party boss at a time when there is media speculation of rotation of the party’s lone quota of one berth in the ministry. His party contender, MLA from South Shillong, is not going to give him an easy walkover and will surely do everything possible to make a case for himself to replace Hek. It seems Hek is well aware of the situation and has begun to play his cards. So far, he has not made a wrong move. By endorsing the party president’s stand on the swindling of central funds, Hek has strengthened his position in the Party. It will now remain to be seen what will be Hek’s next move. Will he take the matter to Conrad Sangma or will he remain content with public posturing through the media?
For an independent observer like me, the manner in which Ernest Mawrie has gone public with certain specific claims about the misuse of funds in Jowai and Tura is a curious development. The question that comes to my mind is that how did he get hold of all these facts and figures? Who has leaked all those details? Since BJP doesn’t have much presence in the state, especially in the two District Councils in question, I am wondering whether this has been abetted by the BJP bosses in Delhi. All details about the grants released by the Central Government as Special Grants Assistance during the Modi regime and the diversion of funds and manipulated allocation of bogus contracts etc., on the face of it, appear to be quite plausible. This has been fortified by JHADC chief’s own admission of diversion of Rs 20 crore for settlement of staff salary dues. Also, whether the arrival of a new occupant of the Raj Bhavan at the same time is mere coincidence or an indication of centre’s move to tighten things up at the grassroots level.
In the end, I would like to be enlightened whether the District Councils come under statutory auditing or not. If yes, then how come we never hear about any audit observations? If the answer is no, then how so? Does the Sixth Schedule provide for such exemptions? Food for thought, indeed!
Yours etc.,
Ajit Prasad Singh,
Via email.