Editor,
The news report dated headlined “CAG reveals: State seeks new loan to liquidate debt” (ST Sep 15, 2024) is disturbing. The textbook definition of a debt trap is when you take new loans to pay off old loans. That’s a different situation from taking loans to build capital assets. By that headline, the State of Meghalaya has in fact entered into the debt trap. So, the people of the State must be made aware what collaterals are provided against all these loans? Is it our natural resources, or our human resources? Does the collateral involve loss of autonomy over our natural resources or does it involve the guarantee of the government that must be made good through new loans or through rising cost of public facilities or even through taxation, which ultimately means that the citizens are the collateral since they must bear the burden of the debt?
Now is the time for the Opposition to raise the issue of what is the collateral for all these loans, as has also been demanded by the HYC.
Those who deny that the State has entered a debt trap must first provide their own definition of a debt trap, before justifying their denial of it. Will they respond to this specific news report? Or will they just imagine that it doesn’t exist?
Yours etc.,
Kitdor H. Blah,
Shillong
Lone BJP Minister, AL Hek’s controversial membership
drive launch
Editor,
A L Hek, the sole BJP Minister in the Meghalaya Government and in-charge of the party’s membership drive, visited Bokadol village under Tikrikilla constituency on Sunday, September 8, 2024, to launch the membership drive. Despite requests from local party workers to reschedule the event, Hek insisted on launching the drive on a Sunday, causing inconvenience to many.
As a result, several core workers are upset with his behaviour, citing disregard for their concerns and priorities. This move has raised questions about Hek’s leadership style and his commitment to the well-being of party workers. After launching the membership program in Tikrikilla constituency on Sunday, A.L. Hek, along with State President Rickman Momin, hastily left the meeting venue without engaging in meaningful discussions with party workers. This abrupt departure raised eyebrows among the members, who felt that the senior leader should have spent more time interacting with them.
Further, Messrs Hek and Momin proceeded to have lunch at the residence of the local NPP MLA Jimmy D. Sangma, which has sparked controversy among party workers. Traditionally, senior leaders, especially those from the central leadership, make it a point to have meals at the homes of booth committee members as a gesture of solidarity and to strengthen grassroots connections.
Hek’s decision to deviate from this practice has left many members feeling disappointed and questioning his commitment to the party’s grassroots workers. This incident has raised concerns about the leadership’s priorities and their willingness to engage with the party’s rank and file.
There is a growing consensus among party members that AL Hek should be relieved of his ministerial responsibilities, citing his perceived arrogance and disconnect from the grassroots. Instead, many are advocating for a humble and dedicated leader like Sanbor Shullai to be appointed as minister.
Shullai, known for his down-to-earth approach and commitment to the party’s ideals, is seen as a more suitable candidate to represent the BJP in the state government. His appointment is expected to boost the party’s morale and help reconnect with the people. The BJP’s central and state leadership is urged to take immediate action and address the concerns of party workers to prevent further erosion of trust and confidence.
Yours etc.,
Roseph N. Marak
Village Bokadol,
Tikrikilla
Railways a cheap means of transportation for goods
Editor,
Apropos of the news item, “Govt says absence of goods trains leads to price rise” (ST September 14, 2024), there are four factors that transportation of goods via railways holds multiple advantages over goods transport via roadways.
Capacity: The load capacity of trains is much higher than lorries or trucks. A single wagon of a freight train in India can carry about 50-70 tonnes. A single goods train will have around 57 wagons which means a single freight train is capable of carrying around 3900 tonnes.
Distance: Freight trains can carry bulk commodities over long distances. Freight trains are specially designed to transport high cargo volumes over long distances while road transport is for smaller loads and shorter distances.
Speed and time: Trains can reach much faster than an automobile travelling on road as road transport is dependent on road traffic, weather and other factors. Even though there is significant loading and unloading time for goods transport via rail, it is still considered faster than road transport.
Cost: The cost of transporting goods over long distances via rail is less than the cost of transporting goods via road. Goods transport via rail is cheaper because freight trains can carry bulk commodities and feature lower fuel consumption.
Coming to the price rise in Meghalaya. Out of 21 commodities listed in the DashBoard of the Meghalaya Civil Supplies Department, the prices of seven food items namely rice, wheat, gram dal, onion, potatoes, tomatoes have shot up by 35, 20, 17,32, 79, 87, and 91 percent respectively for these commodities as on 23.8.2024 over the base price on 03.06.2023. The prices of edible oils have decreased by 8, 15, 16 and 18 percent in respect of mustard, palm, soya and sunflower oil respectively. The prices of atta, masoor dal, moong dal, urad dal, gur, milk, sugar and tea have been stable. Therefore, it is felt that the Civil Supplies Department has to strictly monitor the prices of the commodities for the benefit of the consumers. The Department may also kindly ensure that prices of all 21 commodities are reflected on the DashBoard on a weekly basis to determine the price movement of such commodities and the need for control so as to benefit the consumers at large. It may also kindly look into areas such as “trade and transport margins” and ensure that it is kept at a reasonable rate according to actual prevailing market prices so that the wholesalers and retailers do not exploit the consumers and make commodities inflationary.
Price control in economics are restrictions imposed by governments to ensure that goods and services remain affordable. They are also used to create a fair market that is accessible by all. The point of price controls is to help curb inflation and to create a balance in the market. But price control can be both good and bad. They help make certain goods and services, such as food, housing, and medication, more affordable to consumers. They can also help corporations by eliminating monopolies and opening up the market for more competition. But price controls can also have a negative effect, as they may lead to shortages, underground markets, and a decrease in the quality of goods and services available on the market. The bottom line. Unlike the free market, where prices are dictated by supply and demand, price control sets minimum and maximum prices for goods and services. Governments and supporters of price controls say that these policies are necessary for consumers and suppliers. By enacting price control policies, consumers can afford essential goods and services and smaller producers can remain profitable. But critics say that over time, price controls can have the opposite effect, leading to an imbalance between supply and demand, decreased competition, and illegal markets.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email