Editor,
In the span of a week, two major markets of Shillong – the Iewduh market and the Laitumkhrah market – have been shut down due to violation of COVID protocols. While the intention behind shutting down the markets is understandable, the move to shut it down isn’t as nuanced as it should be.
In the pandemic, if one thing is fundamentally required, it is the constant flow of essential commodities. Shutting down the bigger markets essentially diverts customers towards the smaller markets because people most definitely will not stay without buying food for themselves. This causes two things – one, overcrowding at the smaller markets, thereby risking the violation of protocols yet again. Second, it causes a demand-supply imbalance in the smaller markets due to which an automatic hoarding behaviour is likely to be induced in these markets.
Therefore, if the Government strictly requires people not to move out except for essentials, They need to increase the number of markets as opposed to reducing them. Last year during the first wave, many parts of the city saw markets being set-up at a locality level. This is required even now. If one can procure what one needs within a close vicinity of their housing, there is absolutely no requirement for anyone to crowd any market.
Yours etc.,
Patrick Kurbah,
Via email
More on the Umngot River Project
Editor,
On 27 April 2021, a local TV channel telecast the enchanting Umngot River meandering through lush green valleys of the villages on its banks. The channel interviewed several people from the adjoining villages and all of them opposed the proposed hydel project of the Government. Some of them condemned the proposal and even threatened to lay down their lives for the cause. Indeed, it will be an irreversible loss not only to the area but the whole eco-biological system of the state. For projects such as these we should think carefully and do a cost-benefit analysis of the project in the long run. Do we need this project – is the question we must ask ourselves faithfully without any conflict of interests.
Firstly, let us analyse the power scenario in Meghalaya. According to the latest Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission(MSERC) Distribution Tariff Order 2021-22 – 2023-24, Meghalaya produces about 1200 MU annually including free share from NEEPCO. This production is not constant but varies according to season as much of it is hydel power depending on the monsoons. During lean periods the State has to buy power from outside.
According to the report, the annual power bought from outside is 1765 MU. From the data above it can be seen that the annual power availability in the state is about 2965 MU. Let us look at the annual power consumption of the state. The consumption comprises two components, domestic and industrial. The report mentions about 900 MU for domestic, commercial, etc and about 600 MU for industrial consumption. Hence the total annual consumption is only 1500 MU. We therefore have an annual surplus power of 1465 MU. A layperson may ask, ‘If you produce 1200 MU and you consume 1500 MU. when there is a shortage of only 300 MU why do you buy 1765 MU?’
As mentioned earlier, power shortage during lean periods compels the state to buy power and to fulfil unavoidable agreements with power suppliers. However, it sells or exchanges the surplus power. The surplus of 1465 MU may not be true considering what had appeared in the public domain, namely the power theft and transmission loss. If this is not enough Govt is subsidizing power tariff to these group of industries. Power politics in Meghalaya is of a very high voltage. Big shots from the national capital, a number of industrialists and local leaders blinded by the spoils of office had put the state to ransom. This is in a nutshell the power scenario in the state.
The burning issue here is with respect to the Umngot River Hydel Project which will produce 200 MW of power. Do we really need that power? The figures show that if there is no consumption by the industrial areas, the existing hydel power generated by the State is sufficient for domestic use. The state is self- sufficient if there are no major power consuming industries. Research should be conducted as to how much the state gains from these industries in terms of local employment etc. We need pragmatic policy decisions to identify what types of industries we should allow. We should go for Green Development like Tourism, cottage/small scale industries, I-T etc., which will generate local employment and conserve the environment. We may not need the big Umngot Hydel Project. We should abandon it. Rather we should encourage small micro hydel projects, solar or wind projects. Why wait for public outcry when common sense does not warrant it?
Yours etc,
Torist Mark,
Via email
Seeking relaxations on Covid protocols
Editor
With reference to Govt Notification dated May 6, 2021 (ST May 9, 2021) amongst other things, it is stipulated that the burial/cremation of Covid infected dead bodies is to be completed the same day or latest by 2:00 PM of the following day. In this connection, we are aware that once a Covid patient dies in a hospital, the family members have no say at what time or how long will it take for the hospital authorities to release the dead for burial/ cremation. In one instance, a Covid patient died at 09.45 PM on May 14, 2021 at NEIGRIHMS. The family members of the deceased requested the undersigned at around 11:00 PM of the same day to permit for the burial, as it is mandated by their custom to bury the deceased. The burial permission was duly granted. The following day, the relatives/neighbour of the bereaved family completed digging of the grave as per protocol, by 12:30 PM and waited for the mortuary van to come with the dead body. After a prolonged wait the body arrived only around 08.00 PM. The mortuary van came and dropped the corpse in the pit and it left. It took another one hour or so to cover up the grave. This delay is perhaps due to shortage of mortuary vans due to rising number of casualties these days. Such situations may also happen elsewhere. Hence the authorities concerned are requested to suitably modify the above clause in the protocol
Yours etc.
Krishna Chettri
General Secretary
Gorkha Samshan Ghat,
Shillong-2
No memory lapse this!
Editor,
Sometimes, especially during the ongoing tense situation to get something to relax or laugh about is a treat to me, especially when it comes from people like Christine Marak and Samson Sangma. I have never met nor heard about him yet he questions my memory lapse in his letter (ST May 17, 2021).
Samson should read The Shillong Times of May 7, 2021. Nowhere is it written that Capt Sangma, Mr Mody Marak and Dr Milton Sangma were UDP Presidents. The former two were ex-Presidents of the APHLC and the latter the former President of HPU.
If Samson does not know and is interested to know then he should refer to the Supreme Court Ruling of 1977, to see that Capt. Sangma himself admitted that he was APHLC President until November 16, 1976 the day when he dissolved the APHLC at Mendipathar. I doubt whether Samson has memory at all if he does not even know his own leaders from Garo Hills, because when the former two passed away, UDP was not even born. Only Dr Milton is alive so the writer may inquire from him, whether or not he was the first President of HPU.
Both HPU and UDP are offshoots of the original APHLC in the course of dissolutions and amalgamations. About the two leaders’ connection with UDP in any manner, he himself brought it up out of the blue. About Mr Mody Marak losing in 1978 from Tura, please visit Tura and find out from his relations and our leaders, whether or not he was APHLC President after the above 1976 dissolution. Let Samson know also that Mr. Mody Marak was the first CEM of GHADC and he was APHLC candidate in the above 1978 election.
Yours etc.,
BM Lanong,
Via email