Editor,
Apropos the news item, “Centre turns down request for Soso Tham commemorative stamp” as appeared in your newspaper dated 27th December 2013, at the outset, my salutations to Mr Vincent H Pala ( MP ) for pursuing this matter with the Union Government. Alienation is a strong word to use but perhaps this is the very word to define the Centre’s attitude towards the North Eastern states when it comes to recognition of our past heroes and icons. As reported the Central Government received 82 names this year of prominent personalities from different walks of life but only 21 names were considered which include those of Swami Vivekananda, Sai Baba and Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar was nominated to the Rajya Sabha before his retirement from cricket. Astonishingly, what’s the rush about a postage stamp being issued to his credit while ignoring the deserving names! To add insult to injury the Centre has not given any reasons for denying a commemorative stamp in honour of our renowned poet Soso Tham. Unlike our past MP’s who were mostly bothered about their salary, perks and position while they disregarded the people’s plight during their tenure, here again, hats off to Bah Pala for urging the Philatelic Advisory Committee to reconsider its decision of bringing out the stamp on the Hynniewtrep people’s greatest icon in the literary history of the state.
Since the inception of the State, I do not recall that this issue was ever taken up the NGO’s, individual or even the State Government. I would therefore sincerely appeal to the State Chief Minister who is currently in New Delhi to set off talks and meetings with the concerned department of the Central Government on this pertinent subject of U Soso Tham. The NGO’s who had made noises on the contentious ILP issue in the past months must also kick off steps to support the initiative so as to achieve the long overdue postage stamp of U Soso Tham rather than a mere laying of wreath at the poet’s bust and make unfair lectures.
Yours etc.,
Cliff . R . Sohtun
Shillong -6 .
Baseless allegations
Editor,
Apropos the letter to the editor dated Dec 11, 2013 captioned, “Lackadaisical AG staff,” it is hereby clarified that AG office issues payslips to Gazetted officers working under the Government of Meghalaya on their first appointment in service, promotion, on transfer, on leave/suspension/retention etc. Payslips are issued only when all required particulars are received in complete shape, i.e. Notification from State Govt, Charge Report. Last pay Certificate, Service Book (in case of promotee officers), Post sanction order etc.
When all documents received are in complete shape payslips are processed and issued within 15 days by this office.
As per records of this office no case where all documents have been received in complete shape is pending for long periods of time as alleged in the anonymous letter.
In case of some depts. Like Health, Forest and PWD there have been instances of delay due to want of complete documents. This office cannot and does not issue payslips based only on Notification issued by the State Govt unless all the requisite documents are received in complete shape.
The office has a robust grievances redressal mechanism through which complaints/grievances are sorted out/addressed on priority. The sectional officers (AAOs) and branch officers (Sr AO) can be approached in the first instance and in case their grievance cannot be sorted out at their level the DGA in charge of Entitlement Functions can be approached every Thursday.
The complainant (anonymous) and all officers would do well to utilise the mechanism available in our office to have their grievances addressed before going public just to malign the image of the office.
Yours etc.,
PK Chakrabarti
Deputy Accountant General (A)
