Editor,
It was interesting to read the letters that appeared in this paper last week pertaining to UDP’s performance in the just concluded GHADC elections and the MeECL fiasco. Without joining issues with the comments, I wish to put forth my views on the failure of the UDP to score even a single seat in Garo Hills. One reason is because UDP lacks a strong base and leadership in Garo Hills. Barring BG Momin, the UDP had no credible face even during the initial period of its formation in Garo Hills. It faces a resource crunch and even today the party is poorly organised in Garo Hills with no financial resources to back up its organisational activities. Again, the UDP in Garo Hills woke up late for the MDC elections. Moreover, it lacks trustworthy political heavyweights, capable party manpower and strategies to attract voters from among the masses.
Now, if the political truth is to be told, the only face of the regional party in Garo Hills was only that of Capt. Williamson A. Sangma when the APHLC was in power. After that the politics of Garo Hills was led by the Congress, NCP and NPP which are national parties led by Capt. W.A Sangma, Purno Sangma, Salseng Marak, Dr Mukul Sangma and Conrad Sangma. Today, the two political forces in Garo Hills are the NPP led by Conrad Sangma and Congress led by Dr. Mukul Sangma. Without shying away from facts this may apply to the UDP in Garo Hills in the LA elections of 2023 if the entire UDP leadership does not throw its weight behind the Party to ensure that it does not return empty handed in the 2023 hustings.
On the allegations of UDP hypocrisy, I am not inclined to brand the party as unblemished. However, I feel that the UDP has the right to criticise the functioning of the Power Minister and the CMD of MeECL and also to ask for their removal because, as I see it, there are enough justified reasons. Further, I understand that the goings-on under MeECL and the Power Sector as a whole, which is a major and vital sector of the state, is exceedingly messy and requires independent inquiry by the CBI or any other trustworthy agency to find out the irregularities and to fix responsibility for the monumental mess. Again, this government-owned PSU has never been without blemish and indebtedness. Instead, it may even remain indebted for good. But this hopeless scenario can be overturned if we have a passionate work culture and honest, knowledgeable, capable, wise, dynamic, and committed Power Minister, CMD, and Members of the Board of Directors working in tandem with the passionate and dedicated work culture among the team of engineers.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein.
Shillong
Schools violating Govt guidelines
Editor,
After seeing a hike in the number of COVID cases, the Government on Monday took a decision to shut down schools for 14 days to try and break the cycle of infection. However, some schools in the vicinity of Rynjah, Umpling and Nongthymmai have already told their teachers to disregard the government notification and attend school. The reason cited is that teachers have to take online classes. Such schools have even threatened to cut salaries if teachers violate their instructions. These schools must not take the Government notification lightly. Teachers have suffered last year due to the pandemic, and the last thing they require now is an uncooperative administration. But the question now is whether the school administration will take responsibility and accept penal provisions if this inconsiderate move of theirs results in more positive cases?
I am aware of the schools in question but I am refraining from naming them in the hope that they understand the gravity of the situation. However, the concerned schools should understand that they will come under the Government’s scanner if they do not refrain from violating guidelines.
COVID-19 is not a joke at this juncture and any sensible person will understand this if they are following the news. I do believe we expect better from administrators of educational institutions who have the burden of educating and creating responsible citizens.
Yours etc.,
Patrick Kurbah
Via email
Umiam bridge in danger!
Editor,
It is frightening to read the news item regarding the Bailey Bridge at Dwar Ksuid where the planks have come part barely a month after its inauguration by the Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong. Aren’t these signs of ineffectiveness, inefficiency and duplicity? I am no engineer to understand the technical know-how of why the bridge is showing cracks just a month after its inauguration but I am certain that this is not a good sign. The Deputy CM clarified that the damage on the bridge was “not due to the poor quality of the construction” but “the plying of overloaded trucks.” Well whatever the reason may be the point is that somewhere something is not right. Be it at the level of those involved in the construction work or those involved in checking the permissible weight limit. Repair work is done but the fear remains that anything untoward and unfortunate could happen in the near future. Will those in charge take utmost precaution against malpractices or will they remain hands in glove with those who defy the rules? Only time will tell.
On the same note, the greatest concern at hand is the Umiam bridge that connects Guwahati to Shillong. The bridge is over 50 years old but is also the most heavily used one (24X7). Can this present Government turn a deaf ear and a blind eye towards this bridge? Can the Government abandon its lackadaisical attitude towards the Umiam bridge and take initiatives to at least identify ways and means to address this grave concern immediately? Even today heavily loaded vehicles are plying on this bridge posing a threat to the lives of all. The bridge needs serious care, no matter what vehicles may ply on it because it is overworked. How much longer will it hold on before it gives way? Imagine the impact on the dam and the lives of people. Can the government still overlook the seriousness of the matter or will it get down to work and prevent any devastating incident anytime soon?
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
US created mess in Afghanistan
Editor,
The report captioned, “Announcing Afghan pullout, Biden asks India to do more for Kabul” (ST April 15, 2021) is a pointer to the fact that the United States by pulling out without a clear victory has opened itself to criticism that a withdrawal represents a de facto admission of failure for American military strategy and with its failed policies and shoot-first-ask – questions-later attitude. Foreign involvement in Afghanistan has been a major source of that country’s instability though the Afghan political class and warlords have also played a significant role in the destruction of their homeland. However the “forever war” cannot continue and the sooner foreign forces leave Afghanistan and Afghans themselves take responsibility for their country, the better. The invasion of Afghanistan stemmed from a shoot –first –ask questions –later attitude , one especially prevalent among neo-cons but shared by a significant cross-section of the respectable foreign policy establishment. Indeed, rather than the “good war” moniker the Afghanistan conflict has been cloaked with since its inception, it was ironically the “not good enough war.” A bigger bang was needed to show the US meant business. Such a cavalier approach to the use of deadly force permeates American behaviour among citizens, between citizens and the police as well as between the military and other states raising questions about US society beyond the ambit of foreign policy.
Yours etc.,
Advocate M Haque,
Shillong-6