SHILLONG: In the backdrop of action taken against KHADC CEM P.N Syiem by the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee, former Congress leader R.G Lyngdoh, who also faced similar suspension from the party in 2008, said that consultation should have been the need of the hour instead of confrontation.
While Syiem was slapped with three years’ suspension from the party recently, Lyngdoh who was a critic of the wrongdoings of the Congress, especially those of D.D Lapang, eight years ago was placed under suspension for six years.
Lauds Syiem, urges others to raise their voice
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Lyngdoh said he admired the tenacity of the KHADC chief in holding on to his principal related to the dual posts and other issues.
The former home minister wanted others to follow the courage of conviction and stand up to raise voices of dissent at the time of crisis.  “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely is what I have to say about the current state of affairs,” Lyngdoh asserted.
Syiem has been critical of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who hurriedly brought the amendment to the dual posts Act that resulted in the bye-election to seven vacant council seats after the legislators who were holding the posts resigned.
Commenting further on the action taken against Syiem, Lyngdoh said those who were at the helm of affairs were reactive rather than being pro-active.
No democracy in State Congress
“As of now, it appears that there are no checks and balances in the party and the decision is made at the dictate of one or two persons which goes against the very sprit of democracy,” Lyngdoh said.
According to Lyngdoh, nobody can assume to be a perfect leader whether it is in the government or party as only checks and balances can bring about semblance of order.
It was on June 3, 2008, that Lyngdoh, a potential chief minister, was suspended from the party for his remarks in the media that several Congress leaders were “power hungry and greedy” as he had differences with several senior state Congress leaders, including  Lapang and some AICC functionaries.
Though the party had served show-cause notice to Lyngdoh, he refused to reply resulting in six years’ suspension imposed on him by the party.

SHILLONG: With just a week left for acting DGP S K Jain to retire, the State Security Commission is yet to firm up its mind on the next Meghalaya Police chief.
It was on August 31 that the first meeting of the State Security Commission was held chaired by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to discuss the selection of the new DGP.
Jain, who will retire on October 31, has been officiating as the DGP after Rajiv Mehta retried on June 30.
Last month, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh said that the consent of all the shortlisted candidates will be taken before finalizing the new police chief due to the past experience when B. Kezom who was appointed for the post, did not turn up in 2012.
As per the seniority list, the five eligible senior IPS officers for the post of next DGP are Y.C. Modi (1984 batch), P.S. Purohit (1985 batch), R.P. Agrawal (1986 batch), who are all on deputation to the Centre, Raghvendra Awasthi (1985 batch) who is the current DG (Civil Defence and Home Guards) and S.B. Singh (1986 batch), who is at present holding the charge of Additional DGP in charge Law and Order.

SHILLONG: Several doctors from outside the state do not want to work in NEIGRIHMS though their pay and other facilities are on a par with AIIMS and other national medical institutes.
There are at least three vacancies of specialists in each of the over 30 departments in NEIGRIHMS which are yet to be filled.
“There were occasions when we gave advertisements at least 17 times, but there are no takers,” said Dr A.C Phukan, medical superintendent of NEIGRIHMS.
He also added that those who were selected in the past did not turn up though they made assurances that they would join the institute.
While NEIGRIHMS functionaries point out lack of facilities, including educational prospects for the children of the doctors who wish to serve at the institute as the reason for the lukewarm response, sources say the North East should no longer be considered as a remote and inaccessible place by the doctors who wish to serve in this part of the country.
Sources added that while defence personnel serve in the North East with their family facing hardships, it is a matter of concern that doctors who are supposed to have taken the Hippocratic oaths to serve the people are shying away from their commitment.
However, during the recent interactions with a select group of media persons, NEIGRIHMS director P. Bhattacharyya said there are several sanctioned posts in many departments.
There were instances when doctors who had joined some departments left as they found that the place did not provide them any future prospects and a feeling of belongingness.
According to Bhattacharyya, the learning resource allowance was stopped following complaints from certain quarters which otherwise would have been an additional attraction.

SHILLONG: Many activists in the State who have unearthed several scams using the Right to Information (RTI) tool feel that the government should make the process online along with the usual practice of submitting RTIs before the Public Information Officer.
CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said many times, they are not given complete information and RTI applicants have to run from one government office to the other to file RTI.
“Sometimes the PIOs say the application fee has to be paid through challan but as per the Act, the application fee has to be paid in cash,” she said, adding that the online process, besides the existing system, would be helpful.
In many instances, the Public Information Officer refuses to receive the RTI application and asks applicants to go to different offices for the same.
RTI activist Angela Rangad also narrated similar experience and said sometimes applicants face problems in filing RTI.
The Right to Information Act, 2005, mandates timely response to citizens’ requests for government information  and the tool has been effectively used by NGOs and individuals in Meghalaya to bring several shortcomings and scams in the public domain.

SHILLONG: Land acquisition process for upgradation of the Nongstoin-Rambrai-Kyrshai stretch up to Meghalaya-Assam border into a two-lane road will be completed shortly.
As per the status report of National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation, the project will be taken up by M/s Holtec Consulting Pvt. Ltd. The report also said the West Khasi Hills DC started the land acquisition process after finalisation of alignment by NHIDCL last year.
In addition, the draft detailed project report was submitted to the State PWD earlier this year and the Chief Engineer PWD has sent the final DPR to Executive Engineer PWD Nongstoin for verification. The 69.50km road project will be taken up at a cost of Rs 426 crore. The road will provide an alternative route to Assam.

Police keeping a tab on GNLA on social media

RESUBELPARA: The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) is using social media to recruit youths and threaten church leaders and NGOs.
The North Garo Hills police said the outfit is using Facebook, WhatsApp and emails to lure youngsters. The police have identified a 22-year-old man, Bukarstone G. Momin of Bajengdoba, who is recruiting people from Rari, Gokol, Mendal and Raja-Apal areas.
NGH police also said the GNLA spokesperson on Facebook, under the alias Gongbin Marak, threatens church leaders and social organisations for trying to dissuade youths in the region from joining the outfit.
The threat messages mention that GNLA chief Sohan D Shira will send his men to kill all those who are against him and responsible for mass surrender of cadres as this will make Sohan weak. GNLA is also targeting Jaynie N Sangma, the leader of a woman civil society in Tura.
North Garo Hills SP MGR Kumara has stepped up measures to check rampant use of social media by the rebels.
The personnel of SF-10, the Indian Army from neighbouring Assam, the BSF and the CRPF have been put on high alert and highway patrol has been increased.
“I have traced that Facebook user Gongbin Marak is GNLA’s spokesperson. We have forwarded all Facebook accounts to the headquarters for necessary scanning. We will take quick action,” said additional SP A.T Sangma. An active member of the peace committee said, “We, the NGH NGOs and church leaders are ready to continue our efforts to bring peace and development in Garo Hills. If we have to shed our blood for the peace, we will do that.”

State Govt should not give small-roads excuse: Mawthoh

SHILLONG: It was yet another day of traffic chaos in the city that witnessed long queues of vehicles inching forward as drivers were forced to maintain utmost patience.
Even VIPs were not spared as among those stuck in Saturday’s traffic snarl was Nongthymmai MLA Jemino Mawthoh who was on his way to Shillong from Sohiong.
Despite being a day off for schools, Saturdays usually witness a rise in the number of vehicles on city roads thanks to the inflow of tourists from Assam who descend to the pine city to spend their weekend. To add to it, the ongoing NH7 Weekender at Bhoirymbong (Umroi) added to the traffic congestion.
“There is a need for coordinated and holistic approach from the PWD, Transport, Urban Affairs and Home departments to solve the problem of traffic congestion,” said Mawthoh, who termed the situation as a state of ‘urban collapse’.
He added that one department cannot solve the issue and the government should not use the excuse of small roads. “An elaborate and comprehensive plan is required to overcome the problem,” he said.
“The situation is alarming and I fear what will happen to Shillong roads in the next couple of years,” the Nongthymmai MLA added.
Meanwhile, a commuter told this correspondent that it took him over an hour to reach Police Bazar from Lumdiengjri when the time taken on a given day would be 15 minutes. On Saturday, many people were seen waiting for taxis at different junctions as the vehicles were stranded in different parts of the city during the jam.
While the number of vehicles is rising steadily in the city, the roads have remained narrow and while the government does not seem to be in a hurry to chalk out plans to broaden the roads or construct flyovers, the situation is expected to only get worse every passing day.
It may be mentioned that recently, PWD (Roads) Minster MM Danggo made a series of visits to spots of perennial traffic snarl in parts of the city and outskirts aimed at constructing alternate roads to ease congestion. According to the minister, there are a few practical alternate road construction plans which he feels would address the problem in the long run.

Felicitation
Synjuk War Wahlong, Shillong headquarter will felicitate the students of Wahlong who have passed their SSLC, HSSLC, and degree 2016. Eligible students are requested tosubmit their marksheet and birth certificate on or before November 12 to JL Khongshei or contact 961591433,9856271274.
Programme
Sensitization programme on Scientific Understanding on Posthumous body and organ donation will be held on October 28 at KJP Assembly Conference Center from 10 AM onwards.
A lecture will be delivered by Biswanath Ray for four days from October 24 to October 27 from 5:30 pm at the auditorium of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture.
Rice released
The Sub-Divisional Officer (Supply), Amlarem sub-division has informed that AAY rice, NFSA and Non-NFSA for October has been released. Mid-day meal rice for July, August and September has also been released. Meanwhile,the Deputy Commissioner (Supply), EKH, has informed that rice for AAY and PHH for September and October has been released .
Admit cards
The Inspector General of Police (TAP) cum Chairman (CRB), Meghalaya, has informed that the admit cards for the candidates applying for various posts in AB/UB groups will be available from October 24 in the respective centres where the application forms were submitted. The Physical Measurement Test and Physical Efficiency Test for all the posts will start in Eastern Range at 1st MLP BN, Mawiong from November 14 and Western Range at 2nd MLP BN, Goeragre from November 16. A helpline at PTS will be opened from October 24 during office hours, only on telephone no. 0364-2591238.
Meeting held
The district level wrap up meeting of Block Level Convergence Workshop was held on Friday at DRDA Conference Hall, West Garo Hills. The outcome of the workshop paved the way to carry the exercise forward in six blocks of the district.
Prize distribution
The prize distribution ceremony of  the 9th Inter Shillong Cultural Meet will be held on Sunday in Raid Laban Sports, Socio and Cultural Organisation Auditorium, behind Sankardev College, Bishnupur from 3 PM. Sanbor Shullai, MLA will grace the function as the chief guest and Naba Bhattacharjee,  President CPC as the guest of honor.
Strike held
In response to the call of the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, New Delhi, the Central Government employees of Shillong observed the lunch hour demonstration programme on October 20 in front of Income Tax Employees Office, Shillong in protest against recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission.
School anniversary
The Mizo Modern Higher Secondary School will be observing its 50 years of completion on October 25 and Mizoram Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Lalthanzara will be the chief guest while Nongthymmai MLA Jemino Mawthoh will be the guest of honour.

SHILLONG: Juvenile delinquency is on the rise in the city and several minors now are involved in crimes like possession of fake currency and drugs.
There were reports of thefts and rapes committed by minors in the past, but the recent trend of juveniles resorting to circulation of fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) and selling drugs is alarming.
A case in point is that on Friday, a 17-year-old was apprehended while purchasing eatables from a woman’s shop with a fake note of Rs 500.
During inquiry, police recovered FICN amounting to Rs 11,200 from his residence at Dongkadiang Nongmynsong in the city.
The woman of Nongmynsong Umkdait filed an FIR in this connection.
In another case, on Friday, one Bishnu Agarwal (20) and two juveniles were apprehended at Laitumkhrah and .02 gm of a yellow-orange powder, which police suspect to be heroin, was recovered from their possession.
They were handed over to police for further action. An FIR was lodged by one Danny Kharbani.
When contacted, police expressed concern over the incidents but said there are only a few instances where juveniles have been found to be involved in cases of possessing FICN and drugs.