Editor,
On December 14, 2020, MPSC published an advertisement for 328 posts lying vacant under various State Government Departments. Here, I would like to caution the educated unemployed not to feel elated for it will take an eternity before these posts are filled up. For instance, MPSC conducted written exams on December 10, 2020 for posts advertised way back in April 2016. Further, drawing from past experience, it will take another eternity before results are declared and interviews conducted. For our MPSC, this is not an aberration but the norm. In contrast, the Staff Selection Commission rarely exceeds one year after publication of advertisement to appoint its staff. The State Bank of India Recruitment Board and the Institute of Bank Personnel Selection take 5-6 months and 7-8 months respectively to complete the entire process of recruitment. The above three Recruitment Agencies always mention the Exams Calendars and stick to such Calendars while our MPSC never mentions any Exams Calendars in any of its advertisements. It appears that MPSC can afford to abdicate its responsibilities towards the unemployed because there is no demand for accountability from the unemployed themselves and from society at large. Our elected representatives and various students’ unions and youth councils cannot be faulted because they have much more weighty issues to pursue.
When it comes to reforms, MPSC is at best a laggard. In this regard, these columns published my letter on May 25, 2018 under the heading, “When will Meghalaya abolish Interviews,” drawing attention to a news report which appeared in The Shillong Times dated May 19, 2018 headlined, “Centre slams nine states over slow progress in abolishing job interviews.” The report inter alia mentioned that the Centre censured nine states including Meghalaya for not abolishing oral interviews to Group B(non-gazetted) and to all Group C and D posts in line with what the Central Government has done since January 1, 2016 to bring transparency and fair selection as well as provide a level playing field for job aspirants from all sections and backgrounds. The above Shillong Times report also mentioned that this issue was discussed with the Principal Secretaries/ Secretaries of General Administration Departments of all states at a meeting held on April 22, 2016 in New Delhi.
It is noted that almost all States and Union Territories have abolished oral interviews for the mentioned categories of posts consequent to Letter NO 39020/ 09/ 2015- Esstt(B) dated 28th January 2016 circulated to all States and Union Territories by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. This letter is in the public domain and can be accessed from the said Ministry’s website. Significantly, the above letter also refers to correspondence dated September 4, 2015 and September 29, 2015 from the Secretary ( Personnel) of the mentioned Central Ministry addressed to all Chief Secretaries and from the Minister of State addressed to all Chief Ministers requesting them to ensure that no more oral job interviews should be undertaken for the mentioned categories of posts.
Under the above circumstances, it appears that the more things change elsewhere in India, they remain the same here in the Abode of the Clouds and that ‘We The People,’ cannot do anything about it. Can we?.
Yours etc.,
Samuel Swett,
Shillong-2.
On matri-lineage
Editor,
Apropos Albert Thyrniang’s article, “Is Matrilineal Lineage under question?” (ST Jan, 19, 2021), I would like to bring in my views pertaining to our Matrilineal Lineage.
I am afraid, Mr Thyrniang, matrilineal is not just a name especially for us the female gender. In fact matrilineal carries a lot of sentiments attached to us. Firstly, from day one of our existence, as a foetus it is the woman who bears us while her whole world changes entirely along with the changes in her body. At the end of nine months, she goes through the process of bringing her baby into this world. Therefore, as a woman, I fail to understand as to why can’t she have the honour of giving her last name to the child she has given birth and life to?
Secondly, our ancestors are truly intelligent and far sighted to have understood the importance of a woman as a custodian and bearer of the family wherein she binds them together and acts as a shield in preserving the name of her family. Perhaps due to this reason they acknowledged her contribution and thereby blessed her with this opportunity to get a fair share in the society by allowing the child to be known after her clan name. In the long run, her name lives forever.
Thirdly, I have travelled the world and I do not miss a single chance of telling other citizens and communities of the world about our unique and beautiful matrilineal system. All would be surprised to know but their response had always been a “wow” and “awesome”. Some have actually wished they are a part of our society that confers so much respect to a woman, placing her high on a pedestal. Let us not follow the crowd and ruin our uniqueness otherwise we will no longer stand unique. I agree we need to accommodate changes with the passage of time but there are a few things that are better left untouched or else not only will the beauty of it will go away but also the essence of our very existence will fade.
To conclude, the whole world celebrates the March 8 as International Woman’s Day, but I feel we the residents of Meghalaya celebrates or empower our women daily because of our matrilineal culture.
Yours etc.,
Leezandra Dkhar,
New Delhi -31
Public transport blues
Editor,
Through this column I would like to highlight an important issue regarding daily commuters in our State. The Transport Department of the Government of Meghalaya had issued a notification regarding the seating capacity and fares for different categories of vehicles which it had stated shall stand reverted to the fares prior to Covid, with immediate effect. A question arises as to whether the public will be vigilant enough to stake claim to the benefits issued by the Government in public interest? For it is common knowledge that in our State the public is complacent in nature, which leads to loss of benefit to the public.
Yours etc.,
S O Myrthong,
Via email
Taxi super-bosses
Editor,
As someone who commutes to work daily on public transport I was relieved when the Government made an announcement that taxi and bus fares would revert to the old pre-Covid rates. Sadly on Monday I took a cab from Polo to Shyiap Golf Links and was charged the same double rate that is Rs 20 instead of the old rate of Rs 10. When I questioned the driver he nonchalantly said that the cab was not utilized to its full capacity but he mentioned this only after I had reached my destination. Even the passengers in the cab who were regular commuters were surprised by the rate. This almost led to a heated argument. I request the authorities concerned to kindly look into this matter so that those of us who commute in public transport would be freed from these draconian taxi bosses.
Yours etc.,
Marbiangki Nikhla,
Via email