By Rupert Lyngdoh
This write- up is based on several others that were earlier penned down regarding a serious poison that has found its way into our society and that we as clans always cry and crib about but do absolutely nothing other than keeping silent or simply ignoring its prevalence. This poison has blended well with our operational system and concerned authorities have no interest in dealing with it.
It is rightly said that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing and it seems to have aptly come down to that now as the many attempts made by several individuals in the past have only resulted in false promises and the Ministers and the Department concerned have turned a deaf ear to the matter.
I want to bring up the MUDA menace that has come and gone in the past and now seems to have been forgotten for some time now. When we look back to the months of May to November 2016 we have had several individuals pointing out to this grave menace through letters to the editor of Shillong Times and I would like to mention a few names that have come up in the past of like those of Beckstar Tariang (03rd May 2016), Jonathan Lyngdoh (October 14th, October 27th and November 17 2016) and P.K. Dwivedi (October 19). These individuals have pointed out several evils of this ongoing sub-letting system that is prevalent in the MUDA complex. On the November 4, 2016, the editor herself did come up with an article based on the letters received under the caption, “Is clean business possible in Meghalaya?”
If we read the statement of the then Minister I/c of MUDA, Dr M. Ampareen Lyngdoh that came up in an article in Shillong Times dated April 29, 2016, it has clearly been mentioned that the project was implemented primarily to cater to the unemployed youth of the State with an assurance that the matter will be dealt with and resolved. Having read the letters that have been addressed to the editor, we clearly understand that the allocation of the stalls at MUDA complex were based on different parameters and not with the objective of addressing the unemployment situation that is growing by the day. The editor’s article clearly mentions that allocations were made to relatives and friends of those who were in power (elected representatives) back then. I feel that this in itself has violated the guidelines and proper implementation failed at the initial stages of the project.
There is absolutely no point in digging up how allocations were made in today’s date. However, what concerns me the most is that it is not run by the individuals who were allotted these stalls as on date. There is a clear understanding that they have been sub-let to non-tribal vendors who pose as managers or stalls in-charge when there is an inspection by any Government Department or by pressure groups and/or NGOs. The letters in the past have clearly stated that if the need arises names and stall numbers indulging in BENAMI business can be shared and revealed. Perhaps the person had faith back then that the concerned Department that is stationed within the complex would do the needful and set right these outrageous anomalies.
It is disheartening that our very own people are involved in quick money- making techniques by selling out their clan name by sub-letting and posing as owners of businesses they have no clue about. This is a HUMBLE REQUEST to the genuine owners of the stalls to think of our own people and the JAITBYNRIEW first before bowing down to easy and quick money and sublet stalls with no moral conscience. Have you ever sat back and thought about the overall impact that your decision has had on the growth and development of our very own JAITBYNRIEW? Do you realize that a non-tribal vendor operating behind your name in the heart of the city is evading huge amounts of tax money that actually would have come back to the people of the State through central schemes for the overall development of the state and its inhabitants? Who is supporting tax evasions in this case if you are selling your name and clan and encouraging non-tribal vendors to execute businesses unnoticed by the Tax authorities?
This ongoing pandemic has hit the people of the state in many ways. Let us consider our very youth who have returned from different states across the country after having lost their jobs. Most of them have been left unemployed after having returned. The State Government has not been able to address the concerns faced by these youth. We have a young man who recently returned from Bangalore and has started selling fruit juices and other refreshments early morning to joggers and morning walk crowds in areas around Golf Links and Ward’s Lake and his operations are carried out of his scooter as highlighted by different media houses. I am sure there are many more returnees who would have in some way or the other started up small operations at their own capacities to make a living. Don’t they deserve a fair chance?
MUDA needs to pull up its socks and get things in place before they get out of control. If the authorities cannot find the irregularities, they need to approach the higher authorities like the CBI, Income Tax or even get an order from the High Court to get matters resolved. There are numerous ways that this can be dealt with and of course, as mentioned in the earlier letters, if need be, the information can be published in newspapers so as to make things easier for the authorities to carry out their duties.
I feel it would be right if a check is carried out to analyze if the current owners truly are in need of what has been allocated to them or is there is a NEED to screen and re- allot the stalls to deserving unemployed youth so that things fall in line with the INITIAL OBJECTIVES of the entire project.