Sunday, February 9, 2025
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UDP’s riposte to allegation of hypocrisy

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Editor,

The article captioned “UDP’s blatant hypocrisy” by Albert Thyrniang (ST April 6, 2021 is a pointer to the fact that the author is already having a pre-conceived mindset against the UDP  without understanding the background of the issue raised by the party. No one can deny the fact that the people in the state have been put to a lot of inconvenience due to load shedding and power cut experienced in the past few weeks and which probably may continue in the days to come. The UDP raised this issue out of concern and especially when NEEPCO and later on the Power Grid threatened to regulate the power supply to the state. Besides, reports in the media about the scams and corruption in the Power sector and the continued agitation on the part of the employees of MeECL is an indication that all is not well with the functioning of the Power sector. Obviously, the UDP had to point fingers to those at the helm of affairs who are supposed to be the driving force to bring about corrective measures in the functioning of the MeECL. We are aware about the complexities relating to the Power sector and because of this, may I remind the author that we did not seek the removal of James Sangma from the Cabinet but merely to suggest for change of portfolio to pave the way for the anomalies to be rectified. This is a normal practice done in a democratic setup.

I would like to remind the author that during the previous government led by the Congress, the UDP had also taken a very strong stand way back in 2014 by organizing a sit-in demonstration near the secretariat to protest against the power failure in the state and consequent to this a fact finding team was constituted comprising of the opposition parties to find out what ails the Power sector. The FFT visited Leshka, Umtrew, different stages of Umiam and after soliciting views and opinions from experts the report was finally submitted to the then CM and Power Minister suggesting the way forward. So the allegations by the author, that the UDP is trying to gain political mileage is unfounded. In fact, we want to give suggestions to the Government with regards to the Power Sector. What is required now is an independent inquiry to unearth the truth on the various allegations so that appropriate steps can be taken to ensure the smooth functioning of this very important sector. We were a power surplus state during the 70s and 80s and during 2014-2016 efforts were made by the management to improve the efficiency in terms of administration and Finance. Hats off to the then CMD and Director of Finance who tried to bring stability and ease the burden of the MeECL. The problems again reappeared. It is a fact that we have inherited this problem from past governments but the blame culture is not going to help the state.

In fact, as leaders, we need to take up the challenges and for this, what is required is to put a team with managerial and financial skills to ease the burden of MeECL. Therefore, to blame the UDP of hypocrisy is uncalled for and I would like to request the author to please understand the seriousness and gravity of the issue at hand. If raising the issue is inappropriate for the UDP, then let the people decide.

Yours etc.,

Dr Jemino Mawthoh)

General Secretary,

United Democratic Party (UDP)

India-Russia  troubled ties

Editor,

Russian  Foreign  Minister  Sergy Lavrov’s  visit  to  India  enabled  us  to  take  stock  of  the  positives  in  the  ties  between  the  two  countries    and  the  issues  on  which  the  two  countries  disagree.  India  and  Russia  have  always  maintained  strong  relations  though  many  factors  have  caused  fluctuations  in  the  relations  over  the  years.

Neither  Russia  nor  India  can  be  blamed  for  the  strained  relations  between  the  two  countries.    The  last  three  decades  have  witnessed  a  lot  of  changes  in  the  world.  China has  emerged as  the number  two  global power.  Russia-US  ties have  deteriorated.  Russia   and   China   are   under   pressure   because of the  West.  Consequently,   both   have   formed   a   stronger   strategic  partnership.  Further,   Russia-Pakistan  ties  have  strengthened   in  recent  years.    Similarly,  India-US  ties  have   strengthened  and  the  US  has  become  India’s  partner  in  many  ways.

India  and  Russia  need  to  review  their  close  ties  through  these  changes  and  adapt  their  policies  in  accordance  with  them.  Sergy Lavrov  held  detailed  discussions  with  External  Affairs  Minister  S. Jaishankar  on  a  range  of  bilateral  and  regional  issues  and  also  on  preparations   for  Russian  President  Vladimir  Putin’s  visit  to  India  later  this  year.  There  has  been  longstanding  partnership  between  the  two  countries  in  nuclear,  space  and  defence  sectors.

Sergy Lavrov’s  visit  to  Islamabad   after  his  visit  to  India   is  a  cause  for  concern  for  India. Moscow   has   expanded  its  relationship  with  Pakistan  in  recent  years.  It  maintains  good  relations  with  China  as  well  though  the  relations  are  contentious.   The  fact  that   Russia  supplies  over  6%  of  Pakistan’s  conventional  weaponry  has  adversely  affected  India-Russia  relations.     Both  countries  have  convergent  views  on  the  peace  process  in  Afghanistan,  the  place  of  importance  given  to  Taliban  in  power-  sharing.  On Afghanistan,  India’s  perspectives  do not  match that of Russia’s.

Notwithstanding   the  cordial  relations  between  Russia  and  Pakistan,  the  ties  between  India  and  Russia  have  had  a  broad  range.  True,  many  factors  have  affected    the  stability  of  the relations  between  the  two.  The  present  status  of  the  relations  between  the  two  countries   in  the  changed  circumstances   can  only  be  understood  after  Putin’s  visit  to  India.  It  remains  to  be  seen  if  India  will  go  ahead  with  the  purchase  of  S-400  anti-missile  defence  system  from  Russia  in  the  face  of  severe  US  restrictions   on  this.

Against  this  backdrop,  India  needs  to  devise  plans  for  strengthening  India-Russia  ties.  Even  though  India-Russia  ties  have  had  their  ups  and  downs,  both  countries  cannot  afford  to  sever  the  ties.  Strengthening  of  the  ties  will  help  moderate  Russia’s  tilt  towards  Pakistan  and  China.

Yours  etc.,

Venu GS Kollam,

Kollam  

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