Editor,
Traffic is in the mind of every Shillongite today. Even after the end of the Budget session, it still continues. Why? We all know the reasons. Rapid urbanisation, terrible roads and pathetic public transport are the main problems. But what else? I would say politicians and their blaring sirens. The Union Government banned the red beacon a while back. However, the siren still continues. Every time there is traffic jam, a big black car starts blasting the siren and pressing on the horn, with another big car trying to keep up with it.
This is a common occurrence and every Shillongite has a story of an ML 01 ploughing through heavy traffic with its loud siren. How are our legislators and leaders supposed to come up with solutions when they are all riding their big black SUVs and totally out of touch with the situation faced by the general public?
Solution? BAN THE SIREN. Let the politicians and bureaucrats also suffer this nightmare of their own making. Let them be late for their appointments too. Then only we may see better and speedy solutions to our collective nightmare.
Yours etc.,
E. Sohtun,
Shillong – 6
MUDA- In a perpetual state of denial
Editor
The MDA Government’s sudden clarification and reply on the MUDA shopping complex issues immediately after the Budget Session 2022 is LAUGHABLE. Anyone entering and transacting inside MUDA shopping complex, Khyndailad, Shillong understands what exactly is the reality there. SIX years ago the BENAMI business matter was brought to public domain through newspapers and the last of them was penned down on October 1, 2021 as a special article in The Shillong Times and we have literally NEVER heard anything from the concerned authorities. On Saturday, March 19, 2022, I was rather amused with what I read in The Shillong Times. I have a few questions and suggestions to the Government and the concerned department.
Firstly, who gave the clarification through the newspaper? It only states that the current MDA Government claims so. Is it the Minister concerned or is it the Head of the Department concerned? What questions were raised and by whom? Is this clarification an answer? If there was no question then WHY a reply? What is the Government trying to HIDE? I, and so many other people know for a fact that this is a cover up attempt in the sole interest of the Khasi people who are protecting the non-Khasi sub-tenants. A blatant attempt to BURY the truth!
Secondly, as claimed in the release, we understand that the claimant has completely denied the fact that there is a sub-letting mode of operation that is going on in the complex and also a claim that some stalls are run by ‘Managers’ who have been hired by the existing stall owners. Now my question is simple and precise. When this entire project was to tackle unemployment, it means that the stall owners who were earlier UNEMPLOYED, now not only run their own businesses but have become so financially sound that they can afford to hire non-tribal managers and even pay them handsome salaries. Wow! So how come they are still under the unemployed bracket and are they still deserving of this scheme? This clearly indicates that they have better and more lucrative things to do as on date and that they have overcome the ‘unemployed status’ and are successfully involved in other businesses. Perhaps some of them have even got Government jobs. Should that not open opportunities for the current unemployed youth if the now affluent are made to surrender the stalls? Is it not high time that they give up their unemployed status for the future of the JAITBYNRIEW? However, what is more important is that after the stalls are surrendered, fresh allotments should not be diverted and preference should on no account be given to relatives of MLAs, MDCs as has mostly been the case. This too calls for an investigation.
I strongly believe that the rich and unemployed do not need stalls that were created to tackle unemployment. The deserving are those from weaker financial backgrounds. The statement released clearly mentioned that no financial background check was made on the part of the Authority. That in itself is a big CONFESSION and there should be an instant attempt made to rectify this aspect of the scheme. The Authority must ascertain the financial status of an unemployed youth and identify deserving beneficiaries. If the unemployed youth are financially secure they won’t need a stall where they will employ managers. Give the under-privileged and financially weaker sections of the society an opportunity.
I am also intrigued with the statement that the type of business is mentioned at the time of allotment. So now who has an EXPLANATION as to why we have witnessed change of business in the past years of operation. Not once, not twice, some stalls have changed the business operations numerous time Was that intimidated to MUDA and written permission obtained? We need to clearly understand what is the reason behind change of business? DOES THE CONTRACT HAVE PROVISION FOR CHANGE OF BUSINESS? If no, then isn’t this a clear violation of the signed contract? In such a case I feel this needs to be looked into and necessary rectifications made?
Also, I fail to understand what MUDA means by, “socially not acceptable businesses” not being allowed inside the Complex. Can MUDA authorities also care to explain why dozens of “Teer counters” dot the MUDA shopping complex in Khyndailad? Have the Authorities concerned ever noticed the “shop-in-shop” arrangements housing “Teer counters” in many of the stalls in question? Have the MUDA authorities issued the required No Objection Certificates for the holder of the Teer counter LICENSES? If no, then how did the SUB-LETTERS get the Teer counter license from the Sales Tax Authorities? And again, if the answer is ‘No’, then should not the MUDA Authorities write to the Sales Tax Department to revoke the said “Teer” licenses? Also, has MUDA verified the “TEER LICENSE” holders’ names with that of the stall holders’ names?
Over 90% as reported in earlier newspaper articles clearly indicate that STALLS at the complex are run by NON-TRIBALS who could even be of FOREIGN ORIGIN. As mentioned in earlier write ups, TAX EVASION is fatal to the overall ECONOMY of the STATE and the COUNTRY as a whole. This matter needs to be investigated.
To me and many others who stand with me on this matter, a change in business is a CLEAR INDICATION of change of OWNERSHIP, and of course I am referring to the BENAMI system that is ongoing. Much controversy has been created about the subletting of stalls over the past years through different newspapers. A response after six long years is fishy to me. This response as well is a clear indication that they do not want to dig into the matter. What is MUDA afraid of finding? What is the TRUTH behind the stalls functioning in the MUDA SHOPPING COMPLEX? We need answers! If the Authority is afraid then I feel it is time they allow other competent authorities like the CBI-Anti Corruption Cell or the Income Tax Vigilance Department to intervene and unearth the irregularities. Needless to say, a lot of black money is being generated by these BENAMI businesses and that too in a Government-run shopping complex. What a shame! MUDA has a lot to answer for!
Yours etc.,
Rupert Lyngdoh,
Via email