Editor,
It is indeed encouraging to note the seriousness with which the Centre is viewing the shortage of drinking water in Meghalaya, especially the water shortage for Shillong City. How I wish that our own elected representatives, especially those charged with delivering civic amenities to a suffering citizenry showed the same concern. If news reports are to be believed (ST 26th Sept 2021) the Jal Shakti Union Minister of state, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel has taken serious note of the scarcity of water in Shillong. He has further stated that the State need only submit a DPR (Detailed Project Report) to the Ministry for the Centre to make available funds on a 90:10 ratio basis for implementing new water supply projects. High time for the Govt and its PHE department to wake up from their deep slumber and take serious note of such offers.
The point to note is we have been hearing about the augmentation of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme for the last 30 years but till today the scheme apparently needs to be rescued from the technocratic Red Tape that it has got mired into. Meanwhile Shillong city is expanding; its population has increased tenfold, yet the Govt and its PHE department seem totally oblivious to the ever increasing demand for safe drinking water from these extended areas of Shillong. Instead we note with growing alarm the Govt outsourcing its responsibility to private water carriers to fulfil the civic needs of its citizens. It’s a crying shame! Private drilling for commercial purposes is on the rise. Our underground aquifers and community-based water sources are being exploited for commercial purposes and the authorities concerned seem least bothered while on the other hand harassed citizens spend not less 1/3 of their incomes to purchase drinking water. Seriously, does the Minister PHE know or care as to what is going on?
Of all the localities in Shillong, Mawlai with its vast and growing population is the one that has been most neglected as far as water supply and piped water connections is concerned. Mawlai is no longer on the outskirts of the city. It is a growing urban centre by itself yet most of its residents still depend on drawing their water needs from public taps or from private water suppliers. A study has identified the upper reaches of the Umiam River as the most viable source for supplying Mawlai and its adjacent areas with the much-needed piped drinking water. I believe a DPR and a feasibility report on the same also exists but somehow the relevant file has got itself buried in some ‘Babu’s’ desk. In view of the promise of the Jal Shakti Minister this is the most appropriate time to revive the file; brush off the dust it has collected and voice the people’s demand for the immediate implementation of a viable drinking water project for the population of Mawlai. Hope the Government listens.
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email
Wanted policy-makers not contractors
Editor,
Political parties are gradually gearing up for the 2023 polls and gathering their flock from their respective areas of influence. The Congress is one party that appears to be giving serious attention to the matter of rejuvenating itself. But it is also caught in an internal crisis. Whether this crisis will die down or escalate as we come closer to the Assembly polls when the clamour for party tickets gathers steam, it is difficult to predict. It is sad that governance has presently gone down the drain. No longer do we see statesmen, intellectuals and policy makers in the 60-members Assembly. In the past few years, the Assembly has become a hub of businessmen and contractors, which is why we continue to suffer from policy paralysis in all sectors and levels. If the Congress has to come up with new leaders it cannot afford to bring in wheelers and dealers to sit in the State Assembly as this will lead to more chaos and failed governance. We need people with intellect and vision to lead the state.
Yours etc..
Dominic Stadlin Wankhar
Via email
Covid vaccine for children
Editor,
The schools that had remained closed due to the Covid pandemic for the last 18 months reopened in many states and the other states have decided to reopen the schools without much delay. However, the safety of school children in the time of the pandemic is a cause for concern. One of the reasons for parents’ worry about their children’s safety is that they have not yet been vaccinated.
It is a fact that children below the age of 18 have not been vaccinated so far. As Pfizer conducted trials in a small number of children (6-11 years), its efficacy cannot be proved. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are being used for children in the US and in the UK. Although ZyCo-VD, the DNA vaccine, has been approved for children 12 years or older in India, it is not available. Covaxin is also being evaluated in children. Apart from this, Covovax by SII and Corbevax by Biological E are being tested in children. The vaccines that are efficacious in adults should be the same in children. On the other hand, there must be dosage and safety considerations.
It is a fact that no comprehensive data about the transmission of the disease and its severity in children is available in India. Even if the data has been collected, there is no publicly available information. In such a situation, vaccination of children poses challenges. Our data system needs to be strengthened to monitor Covid infections in children and the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccines.
Yours etc.,
Venu GS,
Kollam