Tourism and Social Welfare Minister, Paul Lyngdoh has at last spoken like a true statesman unlike other politicians who have chosen the path of least resistance on the issue of non-local labourers who have been harassed by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) activists. Paul Lyngdoh pointed out quite succinctly that the job market is such that any contractor who needs to complete any major construction work within a definite time frame cannot rely on local labourers because of their propensity to remain absent on flimsy grounds; to take smoking and betel-nut breaks and in this era to check their mobile phones for juicy news that trigger their inquisitive nature. Lyngdoh has also stated upfront that activist groups desirous of getting the Government to implement protective mechanisms like the Inner Line Permit (ILP) should be working in tandem with the Government and not against it since both have similar objectives and need to put pressure on the Centre to get the issue resolved.
As Tourism Minister, Paul Lyngdoh has also set to rest the imbroglio vis a vis taxis coming bringing tourists from Assam to Meghalaya and the ruckus raised by the Taxi Association in Meghalaya not to allow them entry into the tourist spots but for the tourists to disembark from Assam tourist taxis at a certain point and board the local taxis from Meghalaya. The manner in which passengers embarking at the Inter-State Bus Terminus at Mawiong are being fleeced by local taxis is something that the Transport Department needs to keep check on. There have to be standard rates and no taxi can over-charge any passenger. The same is the story of passengers bound for Umroi Airport. While the taxi charges from Shillong to Guwahati airport is Rs 3000, the same charges are paid by unsuspecting passengers taking a flight from Umroi airport. This is outright fleecing. Passengers coming in from Guwahati airport and wishing to come to Shillong for a day trip obviously prefer to take the Assam registered taxis which charge standard rates because there is a huge competition in this sector and the passenger is king and has a choice. Besides, Assam has Uber cabs where not much haggling happens. Meghalaya is far from adopting such passenger-friendly Apps. In this state, there is fear of competition in every field yet everyone wants to be an entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurship is built on confidence and the ability to compete on an even playing field. Competitors cannot be eliminated by using tactics that deprive them of fair play and even-handedness. To expect something like reservation even in the transport business is taking protectionism to a different level. People from Meghalaya who use the taxis from here to travel to Guwahati airport or elsewhere in Assam are bound to face a backlash if the Taxi Associations of Meghalaya insist on not allowing Assam taxis carrying tourists and other passengers to enter the State. There is such a thing as reciprocal dependence and the Tourism Minister has rightly stressed that point.
