Editor,
Apropos the news item mentioned above that appeared in your newspaper on 2nd August, 2021, I am to state that the revenue collection figures reported by your newspaper pertained to collection under all heads of account comprising of CGST, IGST, SGST and Cess. It is clarified that except for outward IGST revenue (which actually goes to the destination state, being the IGST paid by the purchasers from other States on goods/services or both procured from Meghalaya) which showed a decline from Rs 78.63 crore in July, 2020 to Rs 70.10 crore in July, 2021, the revenue collection under all other Heads of Accounts actually showed positive growth despite the second wave Covid-induced lockdown. The actual GST revenue collection of the state of Meghalaya for the month of July, 2021 is Rs 89.07 crore (SGST Rs 28.98+ inward IGST Rs 60.09 crore) compared to July, 2020 at Rs 68.02 crore (SGST Rs 23.54+ inward IGST Rs 44.48 crore), thus registering a growth of 30.95% over the same period last year.
Yours etc.,
Arunkumar Kembhavi, IAS
Commissioner of Taxes,
Meghalaya, Shillong
Hearsay report
Editor,
Apropos of the news item “New Minister assumes office sans portfolio” (ST July 29), which says “it was learnt through the grapevine that Shullai was not interested in handling Health portfolio given his lack of experience and the enormity of the task of fighting Covid-19” is highly irresponsible and defamatory in nature. What is surprising and shocking to us is that such news was not verified before publishing in your newspaper. Such unauthenticated news is condescending and defamatory in nature and based on speculations and hearsay. The said report is an attempt to maliciously tarnish and defame the image of a public representative who has been elected by the people of 19-South Shillong Constituency for three consecutive terms to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and five terms as Member of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council. We are aware of the freedom of press in our State; however, it does not mean that you can publish anything that will prejudicially affect the image of any person but should do so responsibly after verification and confirmation appropriately.
Therefore, we in the 19-South Shillong Mondal demand that you apologise for publishing such condescending and defamatory news against Mr Sanbor Shullai and retract the aforesaid news item.
Yours etc.,
S. Marbaniang,
Vice President &
Office Secretary,
19-South Shillong Mondal, Shillong-4
Our Reporter replies: There was never any intent whatsoever to defame the MLA of 19-Shillong South Constituency. Since the MLA was sworn in without being assured of any particular portfolio, speculations were rife as to the portfolios the new minister would be allotted. More so, since he was substituting former Health Minister in the midst of the grim pandemic situation in the state, the speculation was whether Mr Sanbor Shullai would handle the same portfolios or not. The reference to “inexperience” in the report was about his lack of past experience as a minister and not as an elected representative of the people. Therefore, it is wrong to assume that the report was defamatory in nature.
Politics and professionalism
Editor,
The recent cabinet reshuffle in Delhi saw the inclusion of several ministers with impressive professional credentials. Politics generally overtakes professionalism. Hence it is a nice change when a minister delves into the subject of his or her ministry.
Two articles by James Sangma, Minister for Forests and Environment have recently appeared in The Shillong Times (July 16 online version and Aug 3, 2021). These articles make interesting reading. If the Minister follows up on his ideas, perhaps he will lift this department out of the quagmire.
He has underlined two important points. Firstly, that plantations are not forests. This is absolutely right, as the perils of monocultures are well known. However, there are reports that Patanjali is planning to start palm oil plantations in Meghalaya. This is worrying. Jatropha, the much-touted biofuel has already failed.
In the other article, he calls for a bottoms approach to tackling climate change using grassroots efforts and indigenous knowledge systems. MLCU has conducted a UNDP funded study on climate change awareness in rural communities. The study found that the older farmers and traditional healers had observed climate change, and alterations in biodiversity and disease patterns, many years before global awareness of this phenomenon. In fact, Tangmang village planted a new sacred forest 45 years ago to provide “clean air”.
Our forests are perhaps the greatest resource of our state. But it is not practical to save every tree or conserve every living creature. Economic development requires some of the natural resources available on the planet. What is needed is ecological restoration, health and human safety, and the privileging of indigenous ways of conservation. These approaches will balance and ameliorate the extractions that we take from Mother Earth.
Even though there is Covid and economic mayhem around us, and that is our first priority, we must still look to the future with positivity and constructive action. I would suggest that the minister prepare some specific projects for the state’s golden jubilee next year. These could include documentation and application of indigenous knowledge systems, declaration of bird sanctuaries, and highlighting the Meghalayan Age. Such projects will also boost livelihoods and tourism.
Yours etc.,
Glenn C. Kharkongor,
Via email
Why this special treatment?
Editor,
The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills had banned all meetings, including political. But on the same day as the DC’s order (31.7.21 with a similar ban in her earlier order a week back), the BJP held a booth level political meeting at Laban, attended by one of the party’s national General Secretaries. Either a special permission was given for this meeting, or it was held without any permission. If permission was granted, what was so “essential” about this meeting? And if no permission was given, can we expect action on the organisers of the meeting and those that attended it?
In any case, why should we the public take the DC’s Orders seriously when those in power are constantly flouting them! There’s a limit to which we can swallow such hypocrisy and accept whatever the government wants of us! This sucks and is absolutely sickening! Such instances make me believe that this government is not at all serious in addressing the present Covid situation! All the restrictions imposed seem to be only an eyewash!
Otherwise, government should give a convincing clarification as to why this meeting was allowed. And we don’t want the reply from the politicians – everything seems to revolve around them and their personal interests! The answer should come from the bureaucrats – the Chief Secretary who signs the general orders or the Deputy Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner who issues the district orders of curfew etc.
Yours etc.,
Eugene D. Thomas,
Shillong – 6