Editor,
A number of guest houses and hotels located within thickly populated areas of Greater Laban area of Shillong were notified as quarantine centres after outbreak of COVID 19. One of such centre was set up at Ashiana Guest House, Kenchs Trace, in spite of objections raised with the District Administration by the residents of the neighbourhood and also the apprehensions expressed by the Kench’s Trace – Bishnupur Dorbar. A number of inmates, probably health workers are occupying this centre. An inmate of this quarantine centre has tested positive on September 18, thereby causing anxiety among the nearby residents. The other inmates continue to occupy the building, which has not been declared as a containment zone. As a result free movement of the inmates in and out of the guest house continues unabated.
It is expected that the present DC, East Khasi Hills District who has a proven track record of high degree of commitment and exemplary performance in her earlier posting, shall take note of this anomaly and revisit the perilous decision of opening quarantine centres in guest houses located in residential zones with high population. While we all laud and honour the dedicated services of our health workers, it is also necessary to insulate the common citizens from avoidable exposure to the pandemic.
Yours etc
Nayanika N. Rynjah
Shillong – 4.
Spare a thought for the poorest
Editor,
Apropos the news, “Centre assures to bail out Meghalaya financially” (ST Sept 10, 2020), I am happy to learn that the Modi Government has agreed to extend generous financial assistance to Meghalaya to tide over the economic hardships brought about by the COVID situation. Unless the centre extends a helping hand, the state will be bankrupt. With no coal business, no tourism, no normal economic activity for the past five/six months, Meghalaya is reeling under serious financial crisis. The situation has not been helped by the delay in getting state’s share on GST and other central taxes.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma deserves a pat on the back for his sagacity to be close to the powers that be in Delhi. Without support from Central Government, we cannot think of revival of our economy.
However, as the state government will get Rs 400 crore from the centre, I hope that the money will be utilized judiciously. The abnormal situation is going to last longer than we can think. Therefore, the government will have to take cover. If need be, enforce deferred payment of salaries to government servants who, it seems, are the luckiest of the lot for not having suffered financially or work-wise. They are the most protected lot. No, I am not jealous. I only want that all sections of people, including the government servants, to experience the pinch that the common man is going through.
My heart goes out to the poor vendors and hawkers, the small farmers, the daily wage earners etc who have borne the brunt for the past few months. I shudder think what they must be facing if the situation is prolonged.
In fine, I would urge upon our chief minister to consider giving some kind of financial support to the lowest income group who have nobody to speak for them. They would bless him if he shares a small part of the money that central government is going to release soon for the benefit of the silent suffering mass.
Yours etc.,
Evanora Syiemlieh,
Shillong-2.
COVID – the alternative view
Editor,
It was refreshing to read the interview with two epidemiologists on the COVID situation in the state, “Trajectory of pandemic in state one of the lowest in India” (ST Sept 15, 2020).
My takeaways are two-fold: First, the endorsement of the efforts being made by the state machinery to tackle the problem at hand. Second: The eulogy for our Dorbar Shnongs for their tremendous service.
We the public, who are largely ignorant and certainly not experts on COVID matters, often wonder whether our government, our officials, our technocrats are taking the right course or not. We have no way to know why certain actions are being taken by the authorities. We simply follow the instructions and advisories issued from time to time without questioning. Further, we tend to get puzzled when critics of the government question the action plans of the government. For instance the Opposition misses no opportunity to find fault with the authorities.
Viewed against this background, I for one am delighted to get the third and independent perspective on the matter. The fact that the two doctors have certified that Meghalaya is among the lowest affected states is reassuring. I don’t remember to have read this in the newspapers. However, the doctors’ prognosis that the future of course of coronavirus in the state depends mainly on us the public, is a worrying fact. Given the carelessness, if not defiant attitude, of the public at large, I am a little skeptical. The government machinery, therefore, should gear up to enforce adherence of protocols, commonly called SMS, by one and all. Let there be no let up on this front.
Secondly, the observation about the service being rendered by the Dorbar Shnongs is gratifying. I know for a fact that in my locality and neighbourhood, the volunteer teams raised by the dorbars have been giving yeoman service for the past six months. I am sure the story is the same in all localities. The way the dorbars have risen to the cause deserves unqualified appreciation and gratitude. Maintaining vigilance, supplying essential commodities, controlling public behaviour and being a bridge between the people and the administration, the dorbars have made us proud. I salute their commitment to the public cause of saving the community from the wrath of this virus.
Hopefully this pandemic will lead to the eventual recognition and constitutional sanction to this unique tradition of the local people here.
Yours etc.,
Meban Kharkongor,
Via email.