Editor,
I am thankful to Naba Bhattacherjee for his article, “ Not missing cryptomerias for the milestones,” (ST, 28 June, 2021).From the noise created recently over the four lane highway NH 40, many so called know-it-all personalities are exposed of their ignorance. Someone has rightly remarked, “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” The article has shown how much ink has gone into paper in planning the expansion of the highway. The Japanese are very fastidious people; they would go into every detail meticulously before giving their approval to a project. The Umiam hydel project was undertaken by a Japanese firm. See how it stands stable even after so many years. The JICA which took up the Shillong-Dawki highway project is a Japanese firm. The article mentions how much time they have taken and how painstakingly they have gained everyone’s confidence. Do we need to question their expertise ? I wish we were much more circumspect and not put our foot in our mouths. I also blame the Government because as Mr Bhattacharjee has rightly said, communication and information sharing with the general public has never been a governance priority in Meghalaya.
Yours etc.,
Torist Mark,
Via email
Include other bills too, Madam!
Editor,
The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Miss Isawanda Laloo had recently passed a circular, vide notification no., C&S.2/CVD/2021/ORD/124 dt 08.06.21, urging the house-owners not to forcefully evict their tenants for not paying the monthly rents while the Covid 19 pandemic is raging in the District.
Further, this notification has exerted that the domestic helpers must not suffer from wage-cuts even if they do not turn up work due to the lockdown. Such a noble gesture from our Deputy Commissioner could not have come a day sooner as far as one section of the society is concerned. The Deputy Commissioner should be complimented for her unstinted humanitarian concerns for the poorer sections.
The foregoing notification is however, strained for want of holistic inclusivity viewed from the rationale that a good-number of house-owners giving renting out their houses, also depend entirely on the house-rent to pay their manifolds bills, taxes, managing their own homes, domestic workers etc. Hence, I appeal to the Deputy Commissioner that while the on-going pandemic is still alive and kicking she should use her good offices to request MeECL and the Shillong Municipal Board to keep in abeyance levying of electric bills/taxes etc. indefinitely and this pro-active course of action can arguably address the extant financial burdens of the entire strata of the society.
Yours etc.
Jerome K. Diengdoh,
Via email
Don’t harass tenants
Editor,
Apropos to the news report published in The Shillong Times dated June 9, 2021, where the Deputy Commissioner has instructed landlords not to evict the tenants on account of the lockdown and the attendant difficulties due to the pandemic I would like to bring to the notice of the Government that there are still some landlords harassing the tenants for not being able to pay timely rent. In these trying times, some landlords do not have empathy towards the needy and helpless tenants. They do not consider the fact, that many tenants don’t have a stable source of income and are jobless now or are earning a meagre amount due to lockdown. They should be giving them sufficient time to pay their rent as per DC’s order and even give concession on rent too.
Not everyone is aware of this order from the DC. In my opinion, it would be effective if the local traditional institutions can enforce this. This order and its salient points should be announced in all localities so that the landlords don’t harass or forcefully evict the tenants. We should all keep our eyes open and help the needy around us in whatever way we can.
Yours etc.,
Monica Thangkhiew,
Via email
Rights, risks and awareness
Editor,
The Meghalaya High Court observations on the vaccine orders issued by the Deputy Commissioners is commendable (ST, June 24, 2021) as it will not affect an individual’s Right to Life ( Fundamental right) enshrined in the Constitution, and also authorise the concerned authorities of the state to decide on the place where the signs, “vaccinated” or “non-vaccinated” needs to be placed by shops, vendors and commercial vehicles; violating which the concerned authority can direct the closure of shops/plying of vehicles.
As per recent data, the large scale vaccination drive has led to the drastic fall of COVID infections, as is evident in Israel, UK and the USA. The Deputy Commissioners of Meghalaya have issued the vaccine related orders keeping in view the risk of spreading of the virus because of not taking the vaccine. All of us want to move into the ‘New normal’ with the hope of seeing the sunshine in the dark forest soon. However, the apprehension towards vaccine efficiency can only be removed through a change in mindset among the masses, which requires awareness to be carried out by the Government and various organisations at the grass roots level.
All of us must believe in the adage “We shall overcome soon.” and move ahead with cooperation and optimism. Anyone spreading rumours or passing derogatory comments on any concerned authority engaged in the implementation of the ‘vaccination drive’ must be dealt with an iron hand. Moreover, the youth are equally vulnerable to the virus and they must be given priority in administering the jab to ensure their bright future.
Overall, a synchrony must be maintained among the various sections of society keeping in view the larger public interest so that we see a ray of hope soon.
Yours etc.,
Partha Pratim Duarah
Via email