Editor,
Our Shillong (Umroi) Airport – a poignant symphony that once promised an uplifting crescendo of connectivity for the Northeast’s crown jewel – Shillong is now all but hibernating. Where did those sweet prospects go? Our humble airport, once a bustling hub with ambitious routes that connected us far and wide, now seems content to play a quieter note, with a mere two flights daily. And lo and behold!, On non-consecutive days, one might even witness the staggering frequency of three to five flights departing into the skies.
Let us delve into this enigma. The flights to Silchar, Agartala, Dimapur – erstwhile commonplace – have become rarer than a sunny day during monsoon! The delightful irony is not lost on us, given that the Airports Authority of India Data of increasing passenger traffic year on year tells a different story. One might now marvel at how demand has grown, yet supply seems to have mischievously taken flight in quite the opposite direction.
Shall we talk of the Delhi flights? Once a steadfast expectation, now a wistful hope that the gods of air travel might grant us their presence at least thrice a week. But let’s not forget the illustrious UDAAN scheme – heralded as a game-changer for regional air connectivity. Where, one wonders, has it hidden itself? Perhaps in the same realm as our erstwhile abundant flight schedules.
The silence from The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is truly profound, almost poetic. One could fashion it as a new kind of communication – the art of saying nothing while saying so much. Meanwhile, for the regular passengers, each journey to Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is a pilgrimage of patience, offering ample time for philosophical musing on the juxtaposed delight of long, bothersome travel and the supposed conveniences of modern aviation.
Our earnest appeal to the State Government is this – We implore upon you to don the cape of intervention! DGCA, might you awaken from your peaceful slumber to cast a discerning eye and perhaps, take notable cognizance of our plight? The runway expansion we hear of, sounds promising. Would that its completion herald not only physical length but also an extension of ambition and connectivity to our dearly sought-after metro cities.
In the grand scheme of things, we inhabit a world where time is of the essence, and travel connections should mirror the spirit of our times – swift, efficient, and plentiful. Yet, we find ourselves enveloped in a silence from authorities that is both mystifying and compounded by a lack of forthcoming answers.
As we wait, perhaps not entirely without irony or exasperation, there remains hope. Hope that Shillong Airport will rise from this curious interlude, reclaim its place in the skies, and fulfill its potential as the vibrant gateway Shillong deserves. Until then, our patience is a testament to our spirit, seasoned with just the right pinch of sarcastic wit and enduring hopefulness.
Yours etc.,
Chanmiki Laloo
Shillong-02
Contract appointments in Meghalaya violate fundamental rights
Editor,
I’m writing to express concern over the growing issue of contract appointments in Meghalaya, which has raised several questions about job security, meritocracy, and equal opportunities. The practice of hiring employees on a contractual basis has become increasingly common in various government departments and institutions, even if they are more qualified than those in permanent positions.
Contract appointments in Meghalaya have violated Article-14 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws. By denying contract employees the same rights and benefits as permanent employees, the state is perpetuating unequal treatment and discrimination.
Delayed payment of salaries to contract-based appointees is an issue cof concern that affects the livelihoods of many employees who are not receiving their salaries timely. The Meghalaya Services (Revision of Pay) Rules, 1988, outline the guidelines for revising pay scales only for the state government employees, while contract employees’ entitlements to timely salaries are addressed indirectly.
Violation of Article 14: Contract appointments discriminate against employees who are denied equal rights and benefits, violating their constitutional right to equality that guarantees equal opportunity for all. This Article ensures that all citizens are treated equally before the law, regardless of their background, caste, or social status.
Surprisingly, the Meghalaya High Court has ruled that there is an “estoppel “ against challenging the nature of employment once the contract employees have duly accepted the jobs on contract basis, and the same puts an embargo on the aggrieved contract employees from raising their voices, even when the terms of contract are detrimental to them.
To ensure, that these fundamental right are not violated at the hands of the few against the majority, the government fundamentally needs to reform the contract appointment system, in compliance with Article 14 and this step will prevent discrimination and will ensure equal opportunity for all employees, all things being equal.
The citizens of India are empowered with the constitutional right to raise questions against the form and manner in which various Articles of the Constitution are implemented. However, in our State, peoples are deaf and blind, while others are voiceless and therefore ignored. This indicates an imbalance in power, awareness, and representation among the population.
The illegality of contract appointments in Meghalaya can be understood in light of various court rulings and government notifications. For instance, the Supreme Court has held that arbitrary and discriminatory practices in government appointments are unconstitutional.
In conclusion, if the contract appointment system in Meghalaya indeed, was implemented in violation of Article 14, then it necessarily needs to be re-examined or reformed. The Government has to restructure the system, strike it down, or amend it to ensure that it complies with Article 14. All reforms or amendments must ensure equal opportunity, transparency, and merit-based selection.
By highlighting this perilous issue, I hope to spark a meaningful discussion and prompt action from the relevant authorities to address the illegality of contract appointments in Meghalaya.
Yours etc.,
Andrew L. Mawphlang
Shillong- 6
On renaming landmark spaces
Editor,
In a computer, if a file is renamed in file explorer, the version history of that file is lost. The same is applicable when renaming landmarks, roads, and monuments. Renaming can be a way to reclaim identity and pride but it also erases history. Renaming landmarks or buildings with no historical background viz. NSCA and State Central Library Auditorium to U Tirot Sing Syiem Indoor Stadium and U Soso Tham Auditorium respectively does not strip away the identity and history of the place. On the contrary, changing the name of Lady Hydari Park to Phan Nonglait Park, robs the park of its glorious history.
There are several ways to honour our unsung heroes. The authority can best consider other means to honour our freedom fighters, rather than changing the name of the existing landmarks which have a historical background.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Omarlin Kyndiah
Via email
Curse of untouchability
Editor,
B R Ambedkar said, “Untouchability has ruined the untouchables, the Hindus, and ultimately the nation as well.” Acts such as washing the Vankhandeshwar temple in Kanpur with “1,000 litres” of Ganga water on November 2 last year to “purify” the temple because a Muslim woman had entered and prayed at the temple, and breaking two fingers of a Class XI, Dalit student for touching a water bottle on March 29 this year by his teacher in a school in Uttar Pradesh are a slur on this nation.
Instead of paying lip service to Ambedkar on his birthday, political leaders should take prompt legal action against those who indulge in untouchability. Untouchability morally kills victims and spiritually destroys perpetrators. It is akin to suicide bombing. The public display of untouchability is a subtle form of terrorism. Such an act is against the Constitution of India in general and Article 17 in particular, which says, “‘Untouchability’ is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden.”
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata