Editor,
Apropos of the news, “KHADC MDC Quits Congress”, “Most MLAs have their check gates in State, claims Pala” then “Coal trade-ultra nexus is old allegation: Acting DGP” and the editorial “Political quid pro quo” (ST February 19, 2022), Bajop (Winner) never surrenders in life when he dares to speak the facts. He has taken the right decision to come out from a party that does not believe in inner party democracy and he rightly stated that “staying with the Congress would be ‘political suicide’. Now he needs to connect with his constituency in Rambrai-Jyrngam as he is from the grassroots rural constituency. Bajop should keep up the reputation of being a proud Edmundian, the school that certified him “A born leader and a team man” when he was made the Captain of St. Edmunds School.
Bajop Pyngrope has to maintain the eagle mentality not that of the chicken, turkey and the crow. It is good that he leaves the crow behind so that he can soar like an eagle. He is young and time is on his side. Coming to the second news item I feel that there is also a need to probe who the big cats are that are indulging in benami activities and patronizing the same. Coming to the third news item the upright and low profile DGP Idashisha Nongrang rightly said that the “allegations of coal trade-insurgent nexus are nothing new”. I think she knows better what is cooking and boiling on this matter. The Police should boost their morale and act without fear on criminality in the State for the safety of the citizens.
Finally, the editor stroked the right chord in her editorial “Political quid pro quo” that the “MDA government is unconcerned, comfortable in the thought that the NPP – the political party leading the government – is growing from strength to strength”. The editor is also 100% percent correct in pointing out that “The regional parties have repeatedly failed to take a stand on any issue. In short they have abandoned the cause of the people and what’s in the larger public interest”. The Group of Five Congress MLAs have taken a timely and wise decision to jump the ship which is sunk and support the NPP-led government because the next election is going to be another term for the NPP government under the brilliant leadership of Conrad Sangma who is approachable, humble, firm, and listens to the people. He is the best bet when it comes to connect with the powers in New Delhi and the advantage is that he has the command of both the Hindi and English language.
Having crunched the political data of Meghalaya for the last fifty years, it can be said with confidence that the NPP is going to have an absolute majority of its own in the next election in 2023. I put the number at 35 seats (58%) in 2023 given the present strength of the NPP that includes the Group of 5 which stands at 47%. In fact, another 11% is achievable if the NPP has a strong will-power. The NPP should also start identifying a prospective MP candidate for 1 Shillong Parliamentary Constituency so as to unseat the sitting MP who did nothing for the Constituency in the last three terms but has the audacity to claim that the spade work done by the former MP are bearing fruit now. The facts are with me and I can prove it. We need people of the stature of (L) Professor GG Swell and PR Kyndiah and not any Tom Dick and Harry to represent the prestigious 1 Shillong Parliamentary Constituency.
Yours etc.,
V.K.Lyngdoh
Via email
Whither Meghalaya’s medical college
Editor,
With all Government-owned and mission hospitals now crowded due to population explosion and newer diseases that are afflicting us, these hospitals are overcrowded. In 1987, NEIGRIHMS was established with the motto, ‘Towards knowledge and life,’ and it has served the motto with dedication and distinction. However, the accessibility to NEIGRIHMs from different locations is problematic. The Umpling bridge which was dismantled in 2019 is still incomplete hence people are forced to take the crowded Rynjah-Lapalang-Umpling road. If Government had provided transport services with fixed rates to and from NEIGRIHMS the poor would be benefitted.
Neighbouring Assam now has 8 medical colleges. Most of our doctors had graduated from Assam Medical College and have served to the best of their ability. They were not allowed to continue serving in the urban areas and civil hospitals as doctors today do by pulling strings. Those doctors in the past had to serve distant PHCs and CHCs. These doctors served with such dedication that when they were transferred the villagers would weep and headmen would implore upon the DHS not to transfer them.
Coming to the proposed medical college in Shillong which was considered over ten years ago it is sad that politics has crept into this issue too. First the TB hospital at Jhalupara was proposed as the site. Later this changed to Greater Shillong but the public does not even raise an eyebrow. The public never spoke up when bureaucrats were allotted land by those in power at throw-away prices during the tenure of the first MDA Government led by Dr Donkupar Roy with the present CM, Conrad Sangma as Finance Minister, endorsing the project in spite of outcry from the public.
Here we see the attitude of this Government which has thrown all precautions of to the winds to crowd Greater Shillong with two hospitals and medical colleges. The incurable traffic snarl from Fire Brigade to Barik that affects the 8 Km radius from GPO has simply blinded their conscience. They only care about political convenience and money power. The public are hapless and what’s worse is that this same Government will dominate the 2023 polls, as people look at local gains and don’t have a vision for the state.
We the public have been rendered voiceless but we demand that the Medical College in Shillong should be made operational since it is Meghalaya’s only achievement since 1972. This is important for students who cannot afford the fees in other medical colleges outside the State which range from Rs 30,000- 50,000 a year after passing NEET. Only in NEIGHRIMs are the fees a modest Rs 1000 a year. Most medical students passing NEET come from privileged backgrounds as they can afford the expensive NEET coaching. Such students when they pass would not contribute to the healthcare system of Meghalaya. They will leave for higher studies; pay back the bond money and then go abroad.
Also, its time to do away with the bond as the rich after graduating find no difficulty to pay back the bond money and do their private practice while the PHCs suffer for want of doctors. Now with new diseases we need meritorious doctors trained since childhood to serve the poor and marginalised.
Sadly, as citizens we have no way of voicing our concerns except through the newspapers. In any case the Chief Minister and his Deputy are too powerful to be asked any questions on any policy matters such as the reemployment of the retired DGP, amidst cries of severe unemployment. If this re-employment policy is not stopped forthwith we are going to witness many old and inform people struggling to come to office with a walking stick.
Yours etc.,
W Passah
Via email.