Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Looking behind the Matrilineal veil

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Editor,

Come March 8 and we all observe International Women’s Day across the world. Functions galore get underway to mark the day. In our state too, this day is celebrated in a special way. The theme for this year is ‘Women in Leadership – Achieving an equal future in this Covid 19 world.’ In our State women occupy a special status as they follow the matrilineal system i.e. drawing lineage from the mother’s clan line. While this is a sign of empowerment for the women here, it is often a camouflage for the many disadvantages which women silently suffer.

The many broken homes, teenage pregnancies, absence of responsibility of men who begrudge the matrilineal system and a high rate of school dropouts have led to the realization that women’s empowerment in our society is really just a facade for the many ills that plague it. As our state moves towards the 50th year of its statehood, we hope that those in governance would work to uplift our women .This can really help to put them on a platform where they can be leaders in their own spheres especially in this present Covid scenario and not just be symbols of tokenism for their male counterparts to crow about.

While acknowledging the fact that we are slightly better off than women in other parts of our country, we must not ignore the fact that there are many silent prejudices happening in our state too. Though I’m not an expert on womens’ studies, I dare to point out that these prejudices are experienced by urban educated women more than those in the rural sphere.

Let us therefore take a stand today especially to uplift ourselves and our tribe for as the saying goes.. “We rise by raising others.” Happy International Women’s Day to all!

Yours etc.,

Angela Lyngdoh,

Shillong-14

Why this patronage to AIS officers?

Editor,

The recent recommendation by the MDA Govt to refund the amount of Income Tax dues paid by the AIS officers posted in Meghalaya is actually bereft of any logic and shows no mental application at all. The arguments being trotted out that the AIS bureaucrats are heading many departments and are being overworked is sheer nonsense. If an AIS bureaucrat thinks that she/ he is being made to operate like a slave then, she/ he can seek to go on deputation to the Government of India provided she/ he gets empanelled.

This tax exemption is given to Meghalayan tribals. Every other non-tribal working or residing in Meghalaya is contributing to the Income tax kitty and that is how it is.

This outrageous recommendation doing the rounds echoes the view that Meghalaya cannot function efficiently and those who are posted here need to be cajoled to stay back.

The training and motivation given to the AIS officers are excellent for them to put their best foot forward at all times. And I believe any AIS officer worth his salt would definitely decline such a condescending offer being made by the MDA Govt. This Govt needs to conduct itself with a proper sense of dignity and motivate all stakeholders to give their best. This effort must emanate from the very top.

The recommendation itself is in poor light and it must be laid to rest immediately.

Yours etc.,

Tyrone D’Brass

Tura

Why this partiality Mr CM?

Editor,

As a concerned parent, I ask the following questions to the Chief Minister. (a) Why is Govt reluctant to raise the age bar for government jobs? (b) What is hindering the Govt from taking this step? (c) Why this apathy towards genuine, conscientious job seekers of the state? (d) Why deprive thousands of an equal opportunity? (e) Why are other Northeastern States ahead of us in raising the maximum age limit? (f) Why does the Govt favour only it’s enablers – the rich, affluent and the privileged class? (most recent example – tax reimbursement for AIS officers). (g) Why is Govt silent on this major issue? Is it because the job seekers are viewed as vulnerable second class citizen’s, not worth this Govt’s attention?

With last year’s horrifying Covid19 experience,  you’d think, the Government would now deem it appropriate to provide lost opportunities to educated job seekers, by increasing the maximum age limit. But no such thing happened. This regressive policy of Meghalaya has its tentacles deeply sunk into its faithful and blind followers. Various Government departments/organizations/institutions follow the Govt’s age policy strictly and also ask for 5 years + work experience at times when calling for contractual/adhoc posts. Even centrally sponsored schemes in Meghalaya are implemented keeping in mind the age bar kept by the Central Govt for the posts concerned, rendering those candidates who have crossed 32 years of age absolutely helpless!

Now coming to the infamous dictator called the MPSC; we saw what the CM said about the Commission and how it should become more transparent, more efficient etc. We nearly believed him for a moment. But even with the new Chairperson nothing has changed.  MPSC has failed the youth of the state, in numerous ways; it’s high-handed attitude has been left unmonitored for decades. Do you know that when MPSC delays examinations for several years, it comes up with contemptible excuses and is answerable to none? However, when it’s ready to conduct an examination the poor candidates would not even get a month’s notice.

Hence I implore upon the parents of all educated job seekers to kindly refrain from berating your children when they fail in State job exams (other than Meghalaya Police recruitment). They are already frustrated; they are dejected; their spirits thwarted.  Being hopeful is the only luxury they can afford while dreaming. They’re up against a powerful EVIL, invisible yet deadly Enemy! They need your moral support to say the least.

Any reasonable requests made to the Government are met only after a series of hooliganism and violent protests displayed by the deprived, disadvantaged, poverty- stricken sections of the society. The message clearly is that the Government responds only to outbursts that turn violent or greatly disturb the daily lives of the common man!

The CM justified the Income Tax reimbursement for AIS officers by saying that a section of officers cannot be treated with a different yardstick. Then why is he treating a huge number of educated job seekers with that different yardstick? The age limit for Assistant Teachers’ is 37 years; Medical & Health officers is 46 years while for the rest it remains 32 years only! Where’s the natural justice here? Where there’s a will there’s a way, right? Would we see the CM coming to the aid of the downtrodden affected by the unreasonable age bar, anytime soon?

Yours etc.,

Name withheld on request,

Via email

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