Editor
Many views have emerged with regards to the contentious State Job Reservation Policy. There are some who opine that this issue is irrelevant considering the dearth of government jobs and others who feel that priority ought to be given to creation of jobs. As regards the vacancies, it may be stated that RTI queries have revealed that the number of vacant posts in various government departments is quite significant considering the size of the state. Moreover, it cannot be denied that at present, many posts under the State Government and Government undertakings are being manned by contractual employees with low job security and poor remuneration. Therefore, I feel that the state needs a good job reservation policy along with a concerted effort by the government to fill up the existing vacancies and also create job avenues. An equally important subject that merits consideration in this context is the dire need for an Employment Policy in order to streamline the process of conducting the recruitment of staff to various departments through MPSC, DSC and other agencies. This may be done in line with the system adopted by Central Government and Banks in the interest of fairness and transparency which include measures like uploading of the answer keys to the questions on the website and making available the scores obtained by the candidates along with fixing of timelines for declaration of results. It may also be suggested to have combined Exams for recruitment to certain posts in the same level. This will reduce the number of examinations the candidates have to appear in.
In spite of its shortcomings, there is a bright side to the present State Reservation policy for the Khasi community insofar as it instills a spirit of competition. However, in the process, only the best of the best make the cut and others are deprived of opportunities. Furthermore, barring a few exceptions, those who hail from villages and far-flung areas of Khasi and Jaintia Hills are placed in a highly disadvantageous position as they cannot compete with their counterparts from urban and semi urban areas who have access to good education and other related facilities. So, we need a job reservation policy that does justice to all sections of the society. Disproportionate allocation is not only unfair but may also lead to complacency. In my opinion, a review of this Policy should not be done in isolation but along with a road map for improvement of the education sector the deficiency of which is reflected in the poor performance of our students in the SSLC examinations year after year and high percentage of school dropouts.
All said and done, the State needs comprehensive and progressive policies in all sectors which encourage healthy competition. This will enable it to fulfil the ambitious target of the Meghalaya government of becoming a 10 billion dollar economy by 2027-28 and become one of the leading states in India.
Yours etc.,
J. Lyngdoh
Via email
Establishing a Standardized Payment System for Election-related Work
Editor,
I am writing to draw attention to a pressing issue that deserves public awareness and the government’s immediate attention. The recently concluded Legislative Assembly Election was undoubtedly a significant event for our State, and I would like to express my gratitude to all the employees engaged in election work, who worked tirelessly to ensure its success. Working during the election period was an incredibly demanding and hectic experience for government employees engaged in election work. The working hours were almost doubled, with employees being required to be present from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. or even later. Moreover, there were instances when employees had to arrive before 10 a.m. and leave the office after midnight. Additionally, they were expected to work on weekends, including Saturdays and Sundays. The toll on their physical and mental health was substantial, as they had to work for long hours and also had to cope with significantly reduced sleep for nearly a month. As dedicated government employees, they wholeheartedly supported the Government’s endeavor to conduct a successful election. However, it was also their hope that their dedication and commitment would be recognized through an honorarium for their relentless efforts and extended working hours.
Regrettably, it is sad to learn that some Election Offices paid generous honorariums to their employees and others assigned to them for election work, while other Election Offices paid considerably smaller amounts and some others did not pay any honorarium at all. This inconsistency has caused widespread disappointment and frustration among those who worked diligently to support the electoral process. In light of these disparities, I urge the Government to establish a fair and standardized system for honorarium payments. It is crucial that all employees engaged in election work within our State receive equal compensation, regardless of the office to which they were assigned. Implementing a consistent payment structure would not only acknowledge the collective efforts and sacrifices made by all employees, but it would also promote fairness and motivate future election workers. By fostering an environment of unity and appreciation, such a step would uplift the morale of government employees and encourage their continued dedication.
I sincerely request the Government to take prompt action in regulating honorarium payments for all employees engaged in election work. It is essential to ensure that everyone receives the same amount of honorarium, thereby recognizing their invaluable contributions to the successful execution of the election process. I believe that addressing this issue will not only demonstrate the Government’s commitment to equitable treatment but also bolster public confidence in the administration. The hard work and dedication of government employees should be duly acknowledged and rewarded, fostering a stronger bond between the Government and its workforce.
Yours etc.,
H. Passah,
Jowai
Dark Movies.
Editor,
In the past one or two years, we have witnessed the release of many controversial commercial movies in India. These movies have consistently hurt the religious faith of the Indian people, fueling discord between Hindus and Muslims. Recently, a movie titled ‘The Kerala Story’ was released on May 5, 2023, which falsely claimed that ‘32,000 girls’ were forced into conversion. This is completely inaccurate. Additionally, a movie called ‘Adipurush’ was released a couple of days ago, which has offended the sentiments of a majority of Hindus.
It is important to note that the individuals behind these movies do not have any genuine love for any religion; they simply exploit religion for their own benefit. We should distance ourselves from such movies and express our displeasure. If we wish to learn about any topic, we should rely on books as they are the best way to gain knowledge, unlike these movies that lack real information. The Government of India should take action against the makers of such movies and consider banning them to protect our country from these harmful influences.
Yours etc.,
SK Rasidul,
Via email