Editor,
The Meghalaya State Government Employees Federation primary function is to look into the welfare of its members comprising all the employees of various state government departments. But the question is why those elected members such as president, secretary and other members of this elected body keep silent when the members are suffering. Just to inform our dear office bearers of this body, the government till date has not cleared the dues such as dearness allowance which was due from July 2021 whereas employees of central government get their dearness allowance in due time. The office bearers are elected to look into the welfare of its members, but instead they seem to be a silent spectator and allowing the government to take us for a ride. I hope they are aware of the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities and other items as well as reopening of schools and colleges which really hit us hard. This silence has raised eyebrows and doubts whether this Federation is really for our welfare or perhaps there is a back channel deal to keep mum and let the members suffer.
As members of this body we know that the office bearers are busy with their work but they have been elected leaders with a purpose and if they feel that they cannot perform their duties then hey better make way for a more competent one body. Why carry the shame of non- performance? We request them to take up this matter at the earliest so as to enable the members to avail the facilities entitled to them. How do we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of our Statehood when the employees are subjected to ill-treatment where their dues are not cleared on time? I think a general meeting is the need of the hour where threadbare discussion of issues is possible and also issues on the welfare of the employees can be deliberated.
Finally, perhaps this silence of the government employees is taken by the government as a sign of weakness, but truth be told there is a limit to everything and our patience is not a sign of weakness. I request all my colleagues and fellow members is to be ready to ask questions or to hit the streets if needed be as this method of arm twisting has to be stopped once and for all.
Yours etc.,
K.Thangkhiew
Shillong – 1
Why the disparity in declaring results?
Editor,
This morning the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) declared the HSSLC Science and Commerce results. While congratulating all those successful students and wishing them well for the next phase of their career formation, I also have a few points to make. My first concern is why the majority of Class 12 students (Humanities) are always made to wait impatiently for their results. Why can’t MBOSE declare the results simultaneously for all streams and thereby correct this perception that those who opt for Commerce and Science need to be given preference as they are smarter than those who had to settle for Humanities.
In today’s world students opt for subjects based on their strengths, but by side-lining students who opted for Humanities the Board is actually trying to belittle them. There needs to be a re-thinking on this. In fact, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has addressed this out of date notion .
An educational board must help in removing mental cobwebs in society. The best educational practices must be adopted to make MBOSE a truly progressive board.
Can MBOSE take a positive step by declaring the HSSLC (all streams) results simultaneously from 2023?
The Board Members of MBOSE met on May 27 in Shillong and I am sure that my concern would not even have occurred to them. Hence I earnestly appeal to them to kindly take a decision in the next Board meeting that from 2023 onwards the issue of announcing the entire HSSLC results will be done simultaneously.
This simple progressive step by MBOSE will enhance its reputation and will eliminate the misconception that ,’those who settle for Humanities are second best .’
Yours etc.,
Tyrone D’Brass
Tura
Why is MeECL so unmindful?
Editor,
It is very unfortunate that the MeECL turns a blind eye to the issue of providing charging stations for e-vehicles in Shillong. They are well aware that a household connection has a declared Kilowatt. As a matter of fact the MeECL is duty bound to check should the declared bill crosses the limit and accordingly the declaration should be altered and if consumption crosses 3 Kilowatts two phases is a must.
In the past few months we have witnessed e-scooters and e-bikes. These are no different from the new appliances introduced. Scooters have 3 Horse power and one HP is 750 watts. That means the new appliance is 3X750watt or 2.25 Kilowatts. And government is yet to have a public charging station.
Recently the Chief Minister had purchased an e-vehicle which he has put up on social media. Let’s assume it’s power consumption is 20 HP. This translates to 15 Kilowatts! 15 Kilowatts what 5 big buildings of 3 Kilowatts each with electric motors, washing machines, fridge, room heater, cooking heater and light bulbs say 12 of them consume.
This is unlawful and may invite legal action. It is a surprise that MeECL engineers after having studied electricity in their engineering colleges could not apply their learning on these modern sensitive issues especially since power is being rationed and load shedding implemented in certain areas. The CM will be driving his e- vehicle at the cost of the poor domestic consumers who need to boil their water in order to remain safe. The public are just heavily duped. The rich enjoy and the poor man’s needs are ignored.
Yours etc.,
James Carey Wahlang,
Shillong 14