Editor,
All that the KHADC is engrossed with is the issue to trade licenses to non-tribal business owners and also vis-à-vis labourers brought in from outside the state. Those of us who have applied for trade licenses know what it takes to get one. Even after all the conditions are fulfilled, one must keep doing the rounds of the KHADC and some of us have had to wait for over three years. We are told that our applications are under consideration but how long does it take to deal with the application when there are several people at the clerical cadre working in the Council. Those of us who are born and brought up here know that the District Councils are a law unto themselves. The Sixth Schedule is meant to protect the customs and traditions of the tribes and to also to empower the tribals to carry on businesses without unfair competition. The perception is that the non-tribal is more astute in running businesses while the tribal is way behind in terms of understanding the intricacies of doing business. In this day and age this is ridiculous. The tribal has the added advantage of not paying income tax and therefore saving on that while we non-tribals have to pay income tax for the quantum of trade we conduct.
But as non-tribals in a country that discriminates on several grounds we are ready to pay income tax and also the stated amount for the trading license. But why do we also have to bribe people in the KHADC to speed up the process? Is it justified on the part of the KHADC to make us wait for three or five years for a legitimate piece of paper which the law mandates has to be given if we have fulfilled all the criteria laid down? I have never been able to understand this power play by the Autonomous District Councils. We, non-tribals are discriminated against on so many counts. We are extorted by different pressure groups who think they have a right to demand money from us for their multifarious activities. All the products coming from outside the state are taxed by these organisations. And when we raise the prices of essential commodities we are accused of being mercenaries. It is not a level playing field for any non-tribal residing in Meghalaya. However, we non-tribals have never made common cause on any issues. We continue to remain dumb and mute out of fear of reprisal. But for how long can we live like third class citizens in our own country? When will we get justice and from whom?
Very often we have been bulldozed into voting certain MLAs because we are threatened with consequences if that person does not win. To protect ourselves and our families we have been forced to vote for a person who does not even deserve our vote. We have voted for MLAs who promise to secure our lives but after the elections it’s all back to square one. Anyway I am not here to moan and groan but just to express my anxieties as a citizen of a country that does not follow the Constitution of India in letter and spirit.
Yours etc.,
AR Sinha,
Via email
Jio’s false promises
Editor,
I wish to thank Salil Gewali for drawing attention to a very serious issue with regards to the poor network of Reliance Jio at this point of time. At the time when it started the services were so good that many people migrated to Jio. The business idea of Jio was to kill all competitors and when the other competitors are forced to shut shop then it will show its true colours. This is exactly what is happening now. Jio network connectivity is at its lowest. The moment there is a power shutdown, Jio too refuses to work. Hence most of us relying on an alternative source for internet connectivity really have to suffer a lot especially if there is an online meeting or one is working online.
Jio has monopolized the market and we have allowed that to happen. Now that Jio is not delivering on its promises are we the consumers to silently accept this failure to deliver? I recall once long ago when people protested after Reliance withdrew its post- paid facility. Now we consumers should go to the Consumer Protection Forum and complain that Jio has failed to deliver on its promises. There is almost no competition from any other service provider other than Airtel. The BSNL is as good as dead today. There is no accountability to consumers and one wonders what people in that huge building with so many employees actually do when they cannot even provide basic mobile services, leave alone internet services which are down more often than not.
It also seems to me that in Meghalaya since consumer awareness is at its lowest service providers take us for a ride. It is high time we form a solidarity group for raising complaints against poor service delivery of all these mobile and internet service providers because we should get value for money.
Yours etc.,
Larry Kharkongor,
Via email