Editor,
Right now the stretch from Umroi to Jowai then to Umkiang is no longer motorable in its true sense. Suggestions and prayers to the Government to at least save our roads and highways fell on deaf ears because it is too heavily mired in the coal controversy and the Rs 399 crore expenditure for Covid-19. So everything is going awry. These things happen as vultures are hungry. Suggestive ideas with support of the law to check overloading are discarded. And what happened to the two major bridges connecting Umroi and Mawryngkneng is shameful, considering that the highway is only 9 years old with modern advanced technological survey made possible by satellite GPS. Look at our Dawki Bridge built in 1931 by the Damodar Construction Work under the supervision of the British. There was no GPS nor seismic nor meteorological parameters then but it is still as good as new
So what developed as the major cracks on the two bridges is not excusable especially when only two minor tremors of few seconds shook the state recently. The cracks obviously are the result of overloaded coal trucks.
What is very grave is the present health of our reservoir dam cum bridge. As a matter of fact reservoir dams are relieved of bridge duty as the engine vibration of trucks may be resonating with the natural frequency of the dam. The very fact that this valuable asset would be tortured for many days to come is very worrying indeed! And Mawlai bridge, Nongthymmai (Jingkieng) and the devil’s elbow bridge at Wah Demthring may not withstand these slow moving overloaded monsters.
Unless the Government of the day diverts the trucks via the east- west corridor and maintains this status quo until Umkiang, Jowai, Mawryngkneng get their pucca Highway, believe me the worst is yet to come.
Yours etc.,
Francis Suchiang,
Via email
District Councils need to be abolished
Editor,
It’s sad to hear of the mis-governance and corruption taking place in the autonomous district councils of Meghalaya from one of government’s own allies in recent times. Agreed ADCs were needed when Meghalaya was a part of Assam but why these councils exist post Meghalaya achieving statehood in 1972, remains a mystery. Apart from corruption and mismanagement they are also proving to be a liability as a Congress MLA recently pointed out. What special activities do these councils perform which cannot be done by the state government? The Meghalaya Art and Culture Department and literary societies can very well look after the tradition and culture of the tribal people so why the need of another authority? Recall how Mizoram District Council was abolished when the state achieved statehood.
The District Councils have perpetually been under fund crunch ever since their inception. This fact was highlighted when the ADCs apprised the Finance Commission that the revenue collected is barely sufficient to carry out their day- to-day administrative activities and primary duties let alone developmental work. The question thus arises: when there is not enough revenue, why not wind up and let the state government take over as they do elsewhere in the country?
The Second Administrative Reforms Commission had recommended the abolition of all the District Councils in Meghalaya on the grounds that the tribal majority themselves now head the governance of the state.
Today the Councils have indeed become a liability. They incur crores of rupees as administrative costs every month. In the absence of stringent anti-defection laws, it is not uncommon to see Council members indulging in toppling games. Many a times, there have been clash of interests between the District Councils and the State Government. The recent instances of refusal /delay in issuance of trade licences to the non tribal community have also cast aspersions on their functioning – an issue that has been reported to the governor by few residents.
It is time the State does some due diligence and introspect whether these Councils are indeed required today. With the passage of time they seem outdated and irrelevant especially where there is a democratically elected people’s government.
Yours etc.,
Bhaskar D,
Via email
Hero at such a young age
Editor,
I was heartened to read of the courage of twelveyear-old Everbloom K Nongrum from Mawryngkneng village (East Khasi Hills). Not even the Jeevan Raksha Padak Award, 2019, he received, can reward him enough for his exemplary courage. To be so young and to have already saved two lives is spectacular karma. This child must be a very pure soul.
Yours etc.,
Deepa Majumdar
Via email