Editor,
If we want to achieve development, we must all work together in sync. Unfortunately, many government departments are not functioning well. Most of the staff in various state government departments are either absent or the departments are poorly managed. Even the heads of departments are rarely present. How can we expect the other staff to be available when there is no one to monitor them? Many employees are seen loitering around Police Bazaar, and some are occupied with personal errands such as dropping off and picking up their children.
During my recent visit to the MBOSE office at 10:45 a.m., I found very few staff present—mainly just a few cleaners. I returned again at 1:30 p.m., only to discover that the office had closed for lunch. The break lasted until 2:30 p.m., and by the time the staff returned to work, it was nearly 2:45 p.m. During this time, students, parents, and other people were left waiting outside for service to resume. Among them was a special needs child, waiting patiently for assistance. What surprised me even more was that when the staff finally returned, many of them were playing music on YouTube, gaming on their phones, browsing social media, or standing outside smoking. This lack of professionalism is evident even to a layperson like me. How can anyone ignore such behaviour?
Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident. This kind of behaviour is observed in many government departments. The staff are rarely seen serving the public; instead, they appear to be preoccupied with personal matters. On the contrary, if you visit any central government office, you will find the staff reporting for work by 9:00 a.m. and working until 5:30 p.m., with a lunch break that lasts no longer than 30 minutes. There is always someone available to assist visitors.
At MBOSE, it can take up to two months to issue a simple duplicate certificate. When I inquired, they told me they would send a message once it was ready. This reflects the slow pace of work. I would suggest that MBOSE implement an online process for applications, particularly for lost documents, to improve efficiency. They charge a hefty fee of ₹2100 for name change, and even for re-evaluations, the fees are substantial. This practice should be reviewed, especially for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Moreover, the staff is often unwilling to respond to even the most basic queries. This is the work culture that needs to be addressed.
Yours etc.,
A Sarki,
Shillong
At last the President speaks!
Editor,
Referring to the August 9 rape and murder of a junior doctor at the RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, the President of India said, “Enough is Enough.” After prolonged silence on a series of brutal rape and murder incidents that includes an incident of honouring some rape and murder convicts under the “double engine” government or the other, it is a good thing that she at last opened her mouth after such a horrific incident happened in Kolkata.
An eight-year-old girl was allegedly abducted, drugged, gang-raped, tortured for a long time, and then killed in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir. The crime is one the rarest of rare cases as it touched the pinnacle of sadism. As per the report, two serving BJP State ministers were seen attending a rally organised in support of the accused in this crime.
Gender violence, be it in Kathua, Hathras, Unnao, Rishikesh, Manipur, Rudrapur, Kolkata, Muzaffarpur, Dehradun, Kolhapur, Badlapur, Nagaon, or be it against Bilkis Bano, or women wrestlers – each of these incidents must be condemned with equal disdain without considering which political party is in power in the state. Unlike Kolkata, other incidents happened under various “double engine” governments. But that should not stop anyone from speaking against them.
The rally in support of the gang-rape and murder accused as happened in Kathua and honouring of gang-rape and murder convicts in public as had been done with the convicts of Bilkis Bano case are simply more than enough for our imagination.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
So VIPs can’t deal with bad roads!
Editor,
For those of us who take the road to Last Stop and Oxford Hill, the stretch from Rhino point to Last Stop isn’t a smooth ride. However, just before the start of the Assembly session we have been blessed with a smooth road at least from the Rhino Point up to the Harisaba junction. The potholes have disappeared and the stretch is now a smooth pleasure ride for drivers and passengers alike. As the VVIPs need not go beyond the junction the rest of the road is left unattended. If we in the city need the VVIPs to get the road repaired the villages will also require the visits of our representatives. Isn’t this sad? No wonder the roads in the far- flung areas and villages are in a pathetic state with poor connectivity. Isn’t it sad that the road was black topped because our representatives need to use that stretch for the Assembly session otherwise the common people are left orphaned. Alas this is the state of affairs! A change for the good is a distant dream because once in power all that matters is the might of the chair.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email