Editor,
I would refer to a news item which appeared in your newspaper on June 7, 2021 under the heading, “Fresh coal mounds line road to Umpleng mine.” One tends to agree with the Home Minister that it is not possible for the police or magistrates to stop illegal coal mining if it is carried out in remote areas far from the main roads. However, there is an obvious solution to the problem: illegal coal mining will cease if the supply lines of illegal coal are choked. Police and Magistrates need not be present everywhere; they need to be present only on the roads because the coal has to be transported somewhere. From all indications, this is not being done. Hence, many among the public suspect that illegal coal mining is widespread and is facilitated by people in high places and whenever a mining tragedy occurs, the Government will belatedly make those ritualistic attempts to “rescue” the already dead miners while the Opposition and Government coalition partners will pontificate before the media about how bad illegal mining is. After some time, the Opposition will go back to sleep on the issue and the coalition partners will continue with the marriage of convenience and everyone will happily go back to feeding from the same pot. The present situation in our state reminds one of what Alexander Solzhenitsyn once said about his country Russia, “In our country the lie has become not just a moral category but a pillar of the state.”
Yours etc.,
Samuel Swett,
Shillong -2
MeECL halts payment of pension
Editor,
It is a matter of grave concern that the MeECL Management has withheld the pension of the retirees for the month of April 2021 till date (which is actually to be paid in May 2021) even while pensioners struggle in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. The pensioners and their families are indeed facing tremendous financial crisis and untold miseries since they are entirely dependent only on monthly pension for their daily needs. We are beset with anxiety, mental depression and extreme distress. Being senior citizens and advanced in age, non-payment of pension is not only unjustified but also may lead to serious consequences as we are vulnerable to be attacked with various diseases including Covid-19 virus due to anxieties.
Pension is the legal right of the Board’s employees from the inception of ASEB, MeSEB and now MeECL which adopted the Pension rule of the Government. The MeSEB / MeECL adopted the Pension Rule of Meghalaya Civil Service Pension Rule 1983. T he Office Memorandum notified vide MeECL/CA/PB/112/2019/50 Dt 11th December 2019 for Revision of Pension and terminal benefits w.e.f 1-1-2020 amply testifies that MeECL adopted the Meghalaya Civil Service (Pension Rule 1983).
It may be noted that our Counterparts in ASEB now renamed as Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) are drawing monthly pension uninterruptedly knowing full well that it is the legal right like other State Government Departments.
Therefore, it is unjust on the part of the MeECL Management or for that matter the Power Department Government of Meghalaya to halt payment of pension after it was renamed as MeECL from MESEB. The MOU or Agreement signed by the Government of Meghalaya sometime way back in 2010 before switching over to MeECL explicitly envisaged in clauses that the pensioners and existing employees are to continue and be entitled for monthly pension and other benefits as usual. It may also be noted that any default in payment of pension and other terminal benefits is tantamount to criminal breach of trust under Section 405 and 406 of I.P.C which is punishable offence.
In short, it is unconstitutional and against the Madras High Court Ruling in case No.WP(MD)NO6507 of 2013 between the employees vrs the management of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation that ruled in favour of the employees in respect of payment of pension etc,.
Finally, as per the Gazette of Meghalaya, Part II A Government of Meghalaya Power Department notification dt March 31, 2010 inter alia clause (4) stipulated that “on such transfer and subject to provision of the Act and other provisions of the scheme, the personnel shall form part of the services of MePDCL, MPGCL and MePTCL as the case may be, but their rank, scale of pay and inter-se seniority as existing in the Board of the effective date of transfer shall be maintained in the holding Company and the retirement benefits and other facilities shall in no way be reduced than the one existing in the Board on the effective date of transfer”.
Clauses 8, 9, & 10 clearly stipulated that provident fund, gratuity fund, pension, leave encashment etc shall be treated as having been continuous and that MeECL shall be responsible to ensure that these benefits are progressively funded. In regard to the unfunded part to meet the pension etc, any shortfall of funds with the Trust at any point of time, shall be paid by the State Government which will meet the ongoing outflow on annual basis. Clause 10 clearly states that all obligations of pension, gratuity etc to personnel who have retired from services of the Board before the effective date of transfer shall be discharged by the MeECL.
It is indeed unfortunate that the CMD has failed to convene the emergency meeting of the Board of Directors for consultation regarding halting or discontinuance of payment of pension since this is a serious issue, but, he has arbitrarily decided and acted on his own which is inappropriate and violates procedure and which ought to be reviewed for the sake of justice and fair play in order to rescue the pensioners from being victimized.
In view of the above, the MeECL Pensioners’ Association reiterates that it has faith, hope and confidence on the present MeECL Management and State Government to extend their helping hands to pensioners by releasing the pension for April 2021 as it is overdue and also for timely payment of dues henceforth.
Yours etc
B. S. Mawlong
Adviser, MeECL
Pensioners’ Association
Via email
Barbaric attack on health workers
Editor,
When we moan in pain due to sickness it is medical doctors and nurses who rush to cure us. So, should we keep quiet when our doctors and health workers are attacked and hurt mercilessly? The recent attack on Dr Seuj Kumar Senapati, on Covid duty at Udali Model Hospital in Hojai, Assam is extremely shocking. Such acts of barbarism must be condemned in no uncertain terms. This is not the first time that such brutal acts have been inflicted on doctors. There are instances where Covid patients or people in quarantine had spat at and beaten up health workers and police personnel on duty. This reflects wrong upbringing and a warped mind. Following the uproar, the Assam Chief Minister has promptly initiated legal action against the arrested culprits.
Cruelty of any kind towards anyone should not be tolerated. Doctors’ security is important to ensure public health and safety.
Imagine the situation in the country if during this Covid crisis all medical doctors and health workers abstain from their duties. There will be unprecedentedly chaos and catastrophe leading to exponential rise in fatality rates. Then, even imposing a longer lockdown will not help. One feels the government should come up with harsher laws to deal with such inhumane acts of people who attack our frontline medical professionals and the police. Moreover, there is no greater sin than biting the hand that feeds you.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong