Editor,
It seems that the present political dispensation in the state does not practice what it preaches. While on the one hand statements are made that steps are being taken to decongest Shillong by shifting government offices away from Shillong to New Shillong Township, on the other hand foundation stone for new government buildings are being laid in the most congested parts of the city.
Take for instance the vacant plot next to Nokrek building opposite PHED. While this plot should ideally have been developed as a parking space to accommodate the huge demand generated by the Third Secretariat, PHED, DTO, PWD, Health and other institutions including the office of a political party located nearby instead, a foundation stone for a new office building seems to have been laid. The result would be more roadside parking and complete traffic gridlock in this area. As it is, the traffic in this area during office hours is chaotic, to say the least. It is high time that government takes the opinion of professionals keeping in view the growing congestion in the city instead of being dictated by contractors.
Similarly, it appears that plans are afoot to redevelop the MTC complex in Police Bazaar. We pray that it is not a commercial complex because that would be putting the final nail in the coffin. In case the city of Shillong has to have a future some very hard decisions will have to be taken by the government. Populist measures like electric buses are impractical in a situation where roads are already choked and electricity is a scarce commodity. It is perhaps necessary that in case the State does not have the capacity, some professional institutions like IIT Kharagpur or SPA Delhi or any other reputed organisations are engaged to prepare a master plan or a development plan of the city covering the next 20 years with public consultation. At the moment apart from the building bye-laws which is again a highly contested business, there is no development control or vision for the city and it is a situation of free for all and might is right.
Unless some concrete measures are taken on an urgent basis, citizens will continue to suffer, congestion will continue to grow and in every gathering traffic will be the topic of discussion and the city will continue to die a silent death.
Yours etc.,
B. Dutta
Shillong-1
Unfair comparison
Editor,
The Editorial dated March 14, 2022 captioned “After Victory, what?” fallaciously compared Indian polity with that of China and Russia. There is definite need for reforms in the administration and judiciary in our country for efficient service delivery and quick justice to the common man but to achieve such goal in a multi-party democracy like India is bound to take time as there will always be dissenting voices from the opposition no matter how well-intentioned such measures may be. However, in the case of China which is nothing but an autocratic country, bulldozing any and every reform is a cake walk for the rulers. As such, the allusion of Chinese progress and reforms with that of India appears unfair.
As regards the thumping victory of BJP in four out of five states in the recently held assembly polls, it appears that the electorate has overcome the caste equations and voted for ‘sashan’ (administration) and ration particularly in UP. If one analyzes dispassionately the reason as to why one particular community which has received the benefits of good governance and fruits of various welfare schemes without any discrimination under the previous BJP Government preferred to remain aloof from the winning party, it will be clear that their ultimate goal is not development or good administration but ‘something else’ which they know for sure, will not hasten if they align with BJP.
Yours etc.,
D. Bhattacharjee
Shillong- 1
Congress debacle
Editor,
The debacle of the Congress in the recent Assembly elections confirms the decline of the grand old party and the significance of the BJP in the country’s politics. The BJP’s resounding victories in four out of the five Assembly elections have put paid to the criticisms against the party and the governments led by the party.
The collapse of the Congress has created a vacuum in the already weak Opposition. An insignificant or weak Opposition is not a good sign for a democracy. An Opposition is as important as a ruling front. A weak or non-existent Opposition will adversely affect proper functioning of government. In the absence of a strong Opposition, rash decisions will be taken by the government. Legislation will be passed without proper debates.
As for the Congress, lack of good organisational structure, ideological uncertainties and failure to take a decision about leadership change have created a serious crisis in the party. The substantial vote share that it used to get in the past has now shifted to regional parties and the BJP. The party is unable to express its views on important issues. It is likely that its position as the main Opposition party will be taken over by some other opposition parties like the AAP or the TMC.
The AAP has decided to strengthen the party in different states especially those in the south. The party expects to perform well in the upcoming polls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. In order to become an alternative to the BJP, AAP needs to put in a lot of efforts. It needs to prove that it has organisational power and capabilities of good governance. It must earn the trust of people. As the party is leading governments in Delhi and Punjab, the governance in these states will be assessed by people.
Yours etc.,
Venu GS,
Kollam
Kashmir files
Editor,
This refers to the recent movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ and the political stir it is causing among BJP and the Opposition. While the ruling party is endorsing it to showcase the plight of Kashmiri Pandits the opposition is saying that the whole exercise involving the movie is politically motivated! Notwithstanding its political or religio-social connotations the irony is that this is the first time it is seen that a movie is being wholesomely promoted by the ruling political party in India. In the backdrop of the passing of the controversial CAA and the timing of the release of the movie just before elections in five states, such a motive of the ruling party cannot be underestimated.
Bollywood movies have been erstwhile always promoting unity and secular ethos of the country. While Kashmiri Pandits deserve utmost sympathy and consideration for what they underwent, incidents like Kashmir Genocide, Godhra or Partition are deep wounds in the history of the nation that need a gentle healing touch and not reopened and reminded again and again.
Yours etc.,
Sadiq H. Laskar,
Guwahati