Editor,
This letter is in response to the letter published in The Shillong Times titled, “MPSC’s Fiasco” (ST May 6, 2021). The author of the letter in question has tried his best to lay out a strong case against the accused candidates as well as the MPSC, but in the process he has left an important loophole which allows for the real version of the truth to reign supreme. Through all the various notifications and notices of MPSC that he has laid out from 2017 up to 2018, the author has conveniently forgotten to mention or make known to the readers the Addendum to Notification No. MPSC/ADVT-38/1/2017-18/47, dated Shillong, the 4th January 2018, released by MPSC. In this said Addendum, which is available on public record on MPSC website, the MPSC had received a very important clarification from the Personnel Department, Government of Meghalaya vide letter No.PER.34/2016/87, dated 29th December 2017.
This clarification pertains to the eligibility of those applicants who are already in government service to apply for the MCS prelims examination, provided those applicants entered government service at the appropriate age. Prior to this clarification, it is true that Rank Holders No. 19 and 37 were placed in the ineligibility list as they were deemed overaged. However, the aforementioned Personnel Department letter has clarified that it should not be so, as both candidates were already government employees. MPSC, by the same Addendum, therefore granted additional 15 days for government employees who wanted to apply for the MCS exam to do so. It was also explained in the Addendum that those who already applied before need not apply anymore. It was on the basis of this new development that a fresh ineligibility list was released on June 13, 2018. As Rank Holder No. 19 and Rank Holder No. 37 were already government employees, they are very much eligible and within their legal rights to apply for the MCS examination. Thus, their names no longer featured in the updated ineligibility list. It must be noted here that grant of age exception to government employees to apply for government jobs is a practise which is widely accepted and legal.
I request all to please dig a bit deeper and straighten their facts first before coming forward with such huge allegations which have finally turned out to be baseless.
Yours etc.,
Jeremiah S,
Via email
Second Covid Wave & our weird reactions
Editor,
The 2nd Covid wave is upon us and its severity and devastation is greater than the first. A question arises. How did we deal with the first wave? If truth be told, Meghalaya was able to manage the first wave with commendable elan and panache. Both Government and our grassroots institutions rose to the occasion; worked together; came up with a well-oiled mechanism of coordination and all of us emerged from the ordeal with as minimum damage as possible. Why? Because the focus of everyone was on how to contain the plague; how to get rid of a bad mess but most important was the realisation that working together meant better service to society, saving lives; saving humanity. Everything else, petty considerations especially divisive politics was kept on the backburner, that’s why.
The front page headlines today ( ST 7th May 2021 “Dorbar Shnong veto government plea”) was therefore very disappointing and sad for most readers of Shillong. We are in the midst of a raging pandemic; it has claimed many lives and if we err in our approach; a faulty strategy will mean unnecessary lives lost. The news report, if true, showed that instead of the former unity of purpose with which we approached the 1st wave, this time discord, differences and disagreements have marred the relationship between the Dorbars and the Administration. Dorbars feel financially inadequate to run and manage Community Quarantine Centres without support from Government. Schools and colleges are reluctant, like last time, to let out their structures because of uncertainty of the length of closure of educational institutions. Dorbars need these infrastructure as quarantine centres. They reach out for support from other institutions and agencies (Himas and ADCs) which at best are merely decorative pieces that adorn our cultural ambience without much contribution to the welfare and governance of the community.
The Government too apparently has problems of its own. Firstly, because of the disunity between the Dorbars, the Government is at a loss on how to collectively reach out to them. There is no central focal entity to reach out to. Addressing individual Dorbars is time consuming and unproductive. All in all we seem to have lost the cohesion and determination displayed in the 1st wave battle.
We face a severe crisis once again and the absence of a State legislature, with its rules and regulations, to provide meaningful relationship and coordination between grassroots governance and the State Administration cannot be underscored. When will we wake up to this necessity? Secondly, Meghalaya also needs adequate funds to tackle the current emergency. We need money to purchase vaccines; provide support to the Dorbars; to buy essential life saving equipment. We have 120 crores in the form of the MLA funds that the state squanders away every year. Why can’t the 60 MLAs do without their pocket money for one year so that precious lives can be saved? In the midst of our struggle in the 2nd Covid wave, some serious and course-changing decisions need to be taken. It is hoped we have the vision and moral courage to do it. Lives depend on it!
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email
Importance of books
Editor,
Apropos the letter by Salil Gewali, ‘Open the gateway to knowledge’ (ST May 5, 2021) I like to put forward my views. The writer rightly mentioned that something is amiss as far as “setting priorities,” is concerned i.e. the wine shop was open and unfortunately the bookstall was closed. I strongly feel that the authorities concerned should rethink while setting the priorities i.e. the wine shop should be closed and the bookstalls should be kept open.
It also mentioned another important aspect that if the government can allow hardware shops to open during the containment period why can’t they allow bookstalls to remain open to cater to the needs of students of course, under strict enforcement of Covid norms. Truly the bookstalls should be given top priority just like essential items and as such should remain open during any such containment period. At any point of time, we as a society cannot afford to put any obstacle in the process of education be it online or offline. At a time when the online classes are the only mode for imparting education, by shutting down the bookstalls aren’t we putting obstacles in the education process ?
I have learnt through experience that the Book lane at Iewduh in Shillong is the main ‘Book Hub’ of Meghalaya where many are also publishers that cater to the needs of local students in particular. It is mostly from these book dealers that the books are supplied to different bookstalls in the interior parts of Meghalaya. Hence their functioning without hindrance is important. It may be worth mentioning that a large number of our students prepare for various national level entrance and competitive examinations, therefore they would require various reference books from time to time. Further, for the online classes to carry on effectively and produce the desired results, the keeping the bookstalls open is important as the students and teachers frequently need study-materials, teaching aids and other related items.
In short, as a concerned parent and a teacher I request the authorities concerned to please prioritize the opening of the bookstalls by duly including them under the essential items list for any containment period henceforth.
Yours etc.,
CS Singh
Shillong-2
What a team! True Samaritans
Editor
I want to thank and let people of Shillong know about the Organisation MakeSomeoneSMILE which is serving relentlessly during this stressful period.
On Sunday last we needed an oximeter and some medicines to be bought and dropped home. It was around 8 PM when my parents needed help. At that point, no one, not even our closest relatives and acquaintances offered to assist. I live in Nagpur and had no option left, so I called on the number provided by Team MakeSomeoneSmile. Mr Anky, who I think is the lead, not only agreed to help but within an hour ensured that all the mentioned items were dropped at my parents’ place in Madanryting. Such a generous act at a much-needed time is commendable and an example of humanity at its best and deserves special mention. I wish Anky and his team all the very best !
Yours etc.,
R K Mawtoh,
Sitaburdi, Nagpur