Editor,
Apropos the news item, “MeECL in critical stage” (ST April 24, 2014), it is certainly disturbing that Meghalaya is entering a very dark phase. The report says that an official of the MeECL stated that the Leskha Project is producing much below its capacity because it is a run of the river project and there is no water in the catchments. This is certainly preposterous. If it is so then why was the project taken up by the MeECL in the first place without a proper study of the peak discharge of water in the main river/rivers and in the catchments during the dry seasons? Are the MeECL engineers so unprofessional that they do not know the basics of designs of power infrastructures and have they also not learnt their lessons from the experience of the Umiam Project which always has a near drought experience during this season? Another point of concern which was reported is that the MeECL is headed by a bureaucrat who in this case is also the Chief Secretary of the State and obviously with heavy responsibilities. But this very same person was already the Chairman of the then MeSEB well before he became the Chief Secretary of the State and continued as Chairman when the Board became a Corporation and after his promotion to the post of Chief Secretary and even up to the period of the extension of his service. He is therefore the longest serving Chief Executive of this Corporation. There is nothing much to write about his tenure. Rather this present dilemma seems to indicate that things are deteriorating. Astonishingly, those who govern us failed to see through this for reasons best known to them. Further, it seems that there is no proper system of accountability for those in the power sector where those who take decisions and issue commands do not have to face the consequences if and when things go badly wrong. A very sad state of affairs where people have to face the adverse consequences of mis-governance in the MeECL.
Yours etc.,
Robert Sawkmie
Via email
Meghalaya football going great guns!
Editor,
It is a great pleasure to learn that one more team from Shillong has made it to the I-League. On behalf of all football fans, I would like to congratulate the team Royal Wahingdoh FC for securing a berth in the next session of the I-League. It is the hard work, perseverance and support of the management, players, support-staff and the fans of the Club which has catapulted it to the elite group of select clubs that will rub shoulders with each other to vie for the coveted title of the I-League Champions in the session 2014-15. Royal Wahingdoh’s achievement has not come as a surprise as the club definitely deserved to be where it is now. In fact, last year, while hailing the entry of Rangdajied United FC into the I-League 2013-14 in this column, I had mentioned that it would not be a surprise if Royal Wahingdoh FC and Langsning FC found a place in the I-League sooner than later. Royal Wahingdoh has done it. My best wishes are with Langsning and other teams from this corner of the world to find a place in the I-League soon. After Kolkata and Goa, Shillong has now achieved the distinction of being the only third city in the country to have three or more clubs in the I-League. This is no mean achievement!
On a different note, with the introduction of a Indian Super League (ISL), the AIFF is attempting to further improve football in India. Under ISL there are eight franchises spread across the country, Guwahati being one which is co-owned by Shillong Lajong FC and Bollywood star John Abraham. There will be many ex-foreign international football stars playing for these eight franchises. The Indian players will definitely be benefited by further exposure to the international standard football. The ISL is different from the I-League. Both Leagues will co-exist.
Going by the efforts of the AIFF towards improvement of football in India, one can hope that in a decade’s time India could emerge as one of the football giants in Asia.
Yours etc.,
Prakash Joshi
Shillong- 2
Harassment at DTO Shillong office
Editor
I had sent someone to deposit money for issue of Duplicate Registration Certificate transfer of vehicle. The dealing assistant told him to bring the Headman’s Certificate, Insurance papers and Police report. After completion, he went back to the dealing assistant. He was told to go to the counter and deposit the money. Since the counter closes at 12 noon he accordingly went the next day at 10 AM and stood in the queue. When his number came, the cashier told him that he had to take the initials from the DTO. He went to the DTO and got his signature on the form. By then it was nearly 12 PM and the queue was there but he requested the cashier to accept the money since he had gone to get the DTO’s signature. The cashier refused and told him to come through the queue and since the time was up he should come back the next day. On the third day he went by 9:45 AM and stood at the queue. He got his number at around 11 AM and gave the form to the cashier with the money. Now the cashier told that though the signature of the DTO is there he cannot accept the document without the MVI’s signature. The poor man had to leave the queue and search for the MVI. By the time he got the MVI’s signature it was already 12 PM so he had to come back home and go next day to deposit the money. If depositing such a small amount takes 4 days how are we talking about computerisation?
The Transport Department and office of the DTO are known for corruption and delaying tactics. I request the higher ups to take action against such staff. Also it is the duty of the DTO to tell the public clearly what ought to be done so that the public are not harassed. Although the cash counter is supposed to open at 10 AM sharp it never does but it closes sharp at 12 PM. I also do not understand why after completing all formalities I was told to collect the RC after 2-3 weeks. Why does it take so much time? Also why should the cash counter close at 12 noon when all the banks are functioning up to 4 PM. The cash counter should continue till 2 PM minimum so that within the next 2 hours they can count their money and deposit in the bank. If the amount is heavy, the cashier should be given additional staff who will start arranging the money immediately on receipt of the amount in the cash counter so that by 2 PM when the counter closes, the money can be deposited within an hour
Yours etc.,
Patrick W. T. Syiem,
Via email
