Editor,
As a daily-wage tourist cab driver and a father of six who earns a livelihood by ferrying tourists to Meghalaya’s exotic tourist spots, do I have the right to question the government over its disinterest in solving tourism issues here in the state? This may sound like an odd question to which you may not even have an answer; but as a voter of the state who has stood in line for hours and elected our representative, I believe I do.
Our association, the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) had a few weeks back submitted a memorandum to the government demanding it to issue an immediate order banning all commercial vehicles of other states from plying in and around tourist hotspots here, but till date the government is yet to issue a justifiable reply. The Tourism Department, on the other hand, instead of tendering to the plight of local cabbies, have in turn allowed its agency, the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. to hire outside commercial vehicles (on commission basis) for catering to the Corporation’s tourism needs such as for sight-seeing and also for pick and drop services, thereby directly affecting our business. Doesn’t the Corporation have vehicles of its own to cater to tourists who turn to it for security and guidance? Or is the MTDC facing financial crisis yet again?
The MDA government has time and again denied any scam in tourism projects such as the Rs 14 crore eco-tourism projects in Garo Hills. But as witnessed by all, the money spent on many so-called “developmental projects” all around the state implemented by the MTDC have been wasted due to lack of proper planning and vision. Seriously, why does the Meghalaya government, particularly the Tourist Department continue to waste taxpayers’ money on useless projects? The MTDC has for years and years, spent government resources carelessly, extravagantly, and without purpose. Who benefits from all this wasteful spending? Isn’t there a specialized agency here in Meghalaya aimed at detecting fraud, waste, and abuse? Why is the AG’s office not pointing out the corruption in such Corporations?
Now, the hiring of outside commercial vehicles (on commission basis) may be a cost cutting move, but it is also a rule bending one. This is so because the hiring of these commercial vehicles has not been done through proper channel, such as the usual tendering process. But to surprise the babus of the Tourism Department even further, I, and several other tourist cab drivers, would like to inform them that this unlawful move isn’t a new thing but has been going on for years without their knowledge. Two female employees of the Transport Unit (old Tourist Information Centre) of the MTDC, had been engaging in the hiring of commercial vehicles in exchange for attractive sums of commissions ranging from Rs 500 for Local Sight Seeing, Rs 1000 for Cherrapunji tour, Rs 1500 for Mawlynnong sightseeing and so on.
Initially, we thought that the commission paid by us tourist cab drivers to these two employees would go to the office account of the MTDC, but later we came to know the reality from a tourist guide working for the Corporation that the money, totalling to lakhs of rupees, had been deposited straight to the pockets of these two individuals. Even though this young lad showed courage to report this to tourism officials, he was in turn silenced for good whereby he was dismissed from his job as tour guide which immediately led to his suicide.
Despite his complaints, why isn’t there a departmental enquiry into these cash crimes? Why does the Tourism Department keep covering up wrongdoings in the Corporation? It’s been a long time since this young man died of suicide but why isn’t there a magisterial probe till now? These are bewildering questions many of us still ask.
Yours etc.,
A Tourist Cab Driver
Name withheld on request
Via email
Bamboo the answer to Meghalaya’s economic future
Editor,
According to a recent news report titled ‘Meghalaya leads the nation in farming on leased land: Survey,’ it was revealed that Meghalaya leads the country in farming on leased land, with 31% of agricultural households engaging in this practice—the highest in the country. While I personally have doubts about the claim that 76% of rural households in Meghalaya are landless due to the prevalence of community land ownership, it cannot be denied that the number of landless individuals is rising. Consequently, many people from various parts of the state are migrating to Shillong in search of better opportunities, often ending up in low-income neighbourhoods like Mawlai, Pynthorumkhrah, and Nongmynsong. Census data shows that the Scheduled Tribe population in Pynthorumkhrah increased from 34% in 1981 to 54% in 2011, while in Nongmynsong, it rose from 38% in 2001 to 51% in 2011. This influx has put a huge stress on Shillong’s public infrastructure, resulting in increasingly unmanageable traffic jams.
There is a pressing need to encourage rural communities to remain in their villages but this requires ample economic opportunities and improved public facilities, such as roads, hospitals, and schools. In this context, Toki Blah’s article ‘DoNER Bamboo Policy for NE’ is crucial. He rightly points out that for Meghalaya’s 10 billion dollar economy dream, “bamboo development is the area where the state government needs to invest and concentrate in.” Since bamboo has a longer gestation period compared to annual crops, it can serve as a tool to provide more secure tenure to tenant farmers, encouraging them to invest in land improvement. A more secure tenancy with higher income could greatly benefit stressed households. Additionally, bamboo is effective for restoring degraded landscapes. Therefore, I agree with Toki Blah’s appeal to our representatives: it is essential to seize this opportunity, as it “might never come our way again,” at least not before the problems become completely unmanageable.
Yours etc.,
Bhogtoram Mawroh,
Via email
Loss of confidence in Mylliem Syiemship, KHADC
Editor,
Has the authority of the Dorbar Pyllun (General Council) of the Bakhraw Batri of Mylliem Syiemship and the power of the District Councils become redundant?
We the undersigned who are ki khun ki hajar (children of thousands) of the Mylliem Syiemship are deeply troubled and feel a deep sense of loss at the concerns shared by many ki khun ki hajar regarding recent media reports about the uncertainty of leasing the Khlaw Mawroh (Mawroh Forest) to Ms Naphisabet Wahlang, a relative of high connection and also the lease amount of Rs 5,58,30,451 (Rupees Five crore fifty eight lakh thirty thousand four hundred fifty one) related to the Iew Mylliem Rim.
After examining the matter from all aspects we feel that we should lend full support to all the Bakhraw of Mylliem Syiemship who had come forward to oppose the increasing high-handed and authoritative manner of handing the land of the Mylliem Syiemship by the Syiem of Mylliem and 2/3 Myntris. They have disregarded all the customary practices and traditional laws of the Syiemship which have been put in place by our predecessors, whereby all matters especially property matters should be thoroughly discussed and deliberated by all in the Dorbar Pyllun (General Council) of the Bakhraw Batri of Mylliem Syiemship. Sadly, today the democratic authority of the Dorbar Pyllun has been undermined and the traditional administration of the Hima Mylliem has been turned upside down whereby the Syiem is behaving like the ancient kings of plain areas who wield considerate power over the land with the support of 2/3 Myntris.
The other growing concern is about the silence of the District Council with regards to the opposition raised by the Bakhraw of the Mylliem Syiemship which puts us in a state of uncertainty. The District Council through the 6th Schedule has been empowered to look after the affairs of all the Khasi Syiemship but the silence of the District Council makes us believe that perhaps there is something unsavoury going on behind the scenes.
In view of all the above events which have brought shame and disrespect on the traditional administration of the Mylliem Syiemship, we feel obliged to come forward to express our concerns to the media with the hope of getting a fair and democratic traditional administration without any monetary demands or corruption.
Yours etc.,
B Thabah &
Shanbor Sohtun,
Via email