The Garo Hills Progressive Alliance (GHPA) Executive Committee headed by NCP's Alphonse A Sangma had barely been in power for two weeks when the development took place.

"Placing the Council under suspended animation is not justified because we have the requisite numbers. We will move the high court and also parade our 17 MDCs before the state Governor," said an unhappy Ebelson A Sangma of the Congress who till recently had been the CEM before the tables were turned against him by the NCP-UDP government in the state which cobbled up the GHPA alliance to unseat the Congress in the Council.

West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, E P Kharbhih, took control of the Council administration on Wednesday morning after receiving the Cabinet order that was passed Tuesday night.

"Instability in the Council is the reason for the suspended animation and I have taken charge of the administration at noon, Thursday," said Mr Kharbhih.

The Congress, which till the other day, had thirteen MDCs to its side in a house of thirty was boosted by the return of four members from the NCP alliance. Congress MDCs Joseburden Sangma and Winnison Marak, Independents Aperson G Momin and John Leslee K Sangma were quick to justify their revolt claiming lack of confidence in the NCP alliance.

While the Congress has been seething with the latest development in preventing their return to power, the NCP-UDP alliance, on the other hand, is thrilled with the government decision.

"It was the right decision because certain MDCs were shifting loyalties to suit their own personal agenda in the absence of the Anti-Defection Law in GHADC," said NCP leader and MDC Purno K Sangma. Mr Sangma accused the previous Congress Executive committee of failing to bring about the Anti-Defection Law into the Council to prevent frequent instability.

Interestingly, while the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has the Anti-Defection Law in place the same legislation has not been taken up by the GHADC.

"If we return to power we will bring in the law to curb such practices," said P K Sangma while indicating the possibility of early polls for the Council whose five year tenure comes to an end early next year.

Informing this here on Wednesday, DSP in-charge of Traffic Dr Sacheng R Marak said that after these locations have been identified, the local taxis would have to embark and disembark passengers only at the specified zones adding that local taxis would no longer be allowed to embark and disembark passengers all along the city roads.

"To enable the police personnel to successfully implement this new strategy requires the support and cooperation of the general public. They need to understand that they cannot flag a taxi anywhere but only at the specified zones in the near future" Dr Marak said.

He said that the main reason for adopting this new strategy is to bring about some discipline among the local taxi drivers in the city.

"It is usually found that the local taxis drivers would embark and disembark passengers according to their convenience" Dr Marak said adding that this has is the major cause for traffic jams in the city apart from being a huge inconvenience to other vehicles.

The police officer informed that these specified zones would be properly marked with red paint. He said that neon lights would be put up on these specified zones which would have the capacity to accommodate at least three vehicles. "Avenues Advertising Agency has been assigned the task for preparing a project on these embarkation and disembarkation zones which would initially be on a trial basis. If we are satisfied with the work of this agency then we would further renew our agreement with them" Dr Marak said. He said that at the moment they would be preparing the embarkation and disembarkation zones at the junctions near Magnum and Pegasus Hotel, Police Bazaar. Dr Marak also added that Shillong would be the first city in the North East to have these types of zones and this would definitely enhance the beauty and orderliness of the city.

Stickers for tourist taxis and buses: After the local taxis, the Traffic Police Department in collaboration with the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has decided to introduce stickers for tourist taxis and buses both for syndicate and city buses.

Dr Marak said that the sticker system would be meant only for vehicles from East Khasi Hills district. "This sticker system for buses and tourist taxis is expected to be enforced within a period of one year" Dr Marak said adding, "At the moment we are still working out on the strategies of our new initiatives".He said that the main purpose for introducing this system is to keep a check on vehicles plying without valid registration papers.

"We feel that not only the local taxis but many tourist taxis and buses are plying without any valid documents" Dr Marak said adding that it is a criminal offence to ply on the road without valid documents.

"We cannot rule out the possibility that vehicles without valid documents are more likely to indulge in various kinds of criminal activities" Dr Marak said.

He further added that the police are committed to prevent vehicles without valid documents from plying on the road.

Dr Roy made the statement after a delegation of Garo National Council (GNC), led by president Clifford R Marak, had submitted a memorandum to the State Government on Wednesday.

"I am not in favour of dividing Meghalaya," the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, GNC and HSPDP have decided to hold public meetings in various places of the State in coming days to mobilise support for separate states for Garos and Khasi-Jaintias.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, GNC president Mr Marak said the public meetings would be organised in various places of Meghalaya to highlight before the public the need for separate states for Khasi-Jaintias and the Garos."The people of Garo Hills are facing problems in terms of languages, customs, traditions and cultures with the Khasi- Jaintia people, despite English being the official language of the State," Mr Marak said. He, however, clarified that the demand for a separate Garo State had no link with that of ANVC's for "Greater Garoland." "We oppose the Greater Garoland of ANVC. We are just demanding Garo State within the territory of Garo Hills," Marak added.HSPDP will hold public meetings on the issue in Jowai Jaintia Hills on May 12.

SHILLONG: The MPA Government and Opposition Congress on Wednesday spared over the Meghalaya-Assam border problem, accusing each other of failure to find a solution to the thorny issue.

A debate on the inter-state border dispute arose during the ongoing Budget session of the State Assembly when Congress legislator Martin M Danggo asked Deputy Chief Minister Hoping Stone Lyngdoh to come clean on the steps taken by the government to solve the problem.

In his reply, Mr Lyngdoh charged the previous Congress-led Government with not taking any steps to solve the inter-state border problem, asserting that the MPA Government was committed to pursuing the matter with its Assam counterpart.

Mr Lyngdoh said though he had contacted Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi soon after assuming office as Deputy Chief Minister, there was no response from the Assam Government on the matter.

"The MPA Government will try to solve this problem. The boundary issue had not been given any attention by the previous governments," Mr Lyngdoh said, while admitting that there was no border outpost set up by Meghalaya to check encroachment by Assam and stop Assam Police from harassing border residents.

"You (Congress) were in the government. But you did not take any steps to solve the problem," he added.

Reacting to this comment of Mr Lyngdoh, Opposition Leader DD Lapang said the Deputy Chief Minister was not giving "specific reply" to the questions raised by legislators on the issue. "If the Deputy Chief Minister cannot give clear statement on the issue, we will be forced to bring privilege motion against him," Mr Lapang said.

Another Opposition member Pynshngain Syiem said failure of the State Government to exert control over its own territory by taking up development projects like road connectivity, electrification and other facilities for people living in the border areas had only encouraged the neighbouring state to encroach upon Meghalaya territory.

Opposition MLAs Sayeedullah Nongrum, Founder S Cajee and Ronnie V Lyngdoh also took part in the discussion.

Meanwhile, UDP legislator JD Rymbai called for tripartite talks involving Meghalaya, Assam and the Centre to find a permanent solution of the border problem.

Initiating a debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address, Mr Rymbai said the "give and take policy" initiated by former Chief Minister Late BB Lyngdoh and the then Assam Chief Minister Late Hiteswar Saikia should be taken as the basis for resuming talks with Assam on the border issue.

"If this policy is still valid, I would urge the State Government to initiate fresh dialogue with Assam and start immediate ground demarcation of the inter-State border," Mr Rymbai said.

The UDP MLA pointed out that maintenance of status quo would only complicate the problem.

Initiating a debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address in the State Assembly on Wednesday, Mr Rymbai said the plot of land at Mawpdang was big enough for constructing an airport with a six-kilometer runway for landing and takeoff of big passenger aircraft.

"If the State Government is keen on having a third airport in the State, this plot of land is suitable for the purpose," Mr Rymbai said.

Stating that there was a need for upgrading Umroi airport for landing of Boeing 747 and ATR-50 aircraft, the former Chief Minister said the present runway should be extended by another two kilometers to facilitate landing of bigger airplanes.

The East Khasi Hills district administration has already given compensation to the owners of the land acquired for the proposed project. "Compensation amounting to Rs 16.51 crore has been given to all the landowners concerned in East Khasi Hills district," East Khasi Hills DC Mr B Dhar said.

Twenty-two km of the 47-km two-lane bypass will cover East Khasi Hills. "The bypass will be completed in about three years," he added.

NEW DELHI: Bye-election to Tura Lok Sabha seat, which has fallen vacant after resignation of Purno A Sangma, will be held on May 22

According to official sources, the notification for the bye-election would be issued on April 24. May 5 will be the last date for filing of nominations. The last day for withdrawal of papers is May 8 and the vote count has been scheduled for May 25.

With this, the model code of conduct has also come into effect.

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy tabled the Meghalaya Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill 2008 in the Assembly on Wednesday.

The Bill has incorporated a number of amendments to the existing Meghalaya Cooperative Societies Act (Assam Act 1 of 1950) of 1971. The recommendations of the Vaidyanathan Committee Report have also been incorporated in the Bill.

Health Minister Dr Advisor Pariong has said that construction of the 100-bed government hospital at Nongstoin is likely to be completed by March 2009.

Replying to a call attention motion moved by Opposition member Martin M Danggo in the Assembly on Wednesday, Dr Pariong said all steps had been taken to expedite construction of the hospital building.

"Almost 80 per cent work for the hospital building has been completed, and we expect it to be fully completed by March 2009," Dr Pariong said. He said necessary manpower and equipment for the hospital would be made available as soon as the building was completed.

Earlier, moving the call attention motion on a news report published in a vernacular daily on March 22, Mr Danggo said people of West Khasi Hills were anxious to see completion of the hospital for healthcare facility in the district.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Conrad K Sangma told the House that 69 tourist spots in the State had been identified for development and that a project for construction of a tourist lodge and water sport facilities at Ranikor, West Khasi Hills was being taken up.

SHILLONG: Besides being a favourite tourist destination, Mawlynnong and a cluster of other ten villages, falls within the fragile Ri-War Eco Reserve System, bordering Bangladesh. Besides arecanut, oranges, bay leaves and black pepper, the mainstay of people in these areas is the ubiquitous broomstick. This hardy plant which is basically a wasteland crop is now cultivated in areas previously occupied by lush green forests. The ecological impacts have been disastrous. Water sources and streams have begun to dry up resulting in serious climatic changes such as unseasonal rainfall and devastating storms.

Broomsticks fetch a price ranging from Rs 2500-3000 per quintal. This crop sustains most families throughout the year. Marketing broomstick is no problem. Wholesale buyers come and take away everything. The value-addition of binding tufts of broomstick into an easily usable broom for sweeping floors and dusting ceilings etc happens elsewhere. A kilogram of broomstick costs Rs 25 at source. After value addition, a kilogram of sticks would produce four or five brooms costing Rs 25-30 each.

Once the broomstick is harvested the villagers remain relatively idle. The North East Development Financial Institute (NEDFi) has stepped in to provide villagers with off farm activity through value addition to broomsticks. After a preliminary survey of the area, NEDFi in collaboration with Epiphany Society for Rural Uplift, Mawlynnong conducted a one-month long training programme in the village.

According to Mr Kashi Nath Hazarika, Chairman and Managing Director, NEDFi who himself made the preliminary survey of the area, the training is being conducted by three expert trainers from Hnam Chhantu Pawl, Mizoram. Two trainers were based in the village for the entire month. Hazarika said, "Initially the program will equip 20 trainees from villages in and around Mawlynnong with skills to upgrade their livelihoods and economic conditions. The end products include table brooms, computer brushes and brom of different sizes", Hazarika stated.

"NEDFi is also preparing to conduct a base line economic survey of the cluster of villages with the help of a well known economist from the region shortly. This will give a fair idea of the economic potential of the village. The survey is important in understanding what interventions are required by financial institutions", Hazarika added. "NEDFi will try and provide market linkages for the value added products. For starters the villagers of Mawlynnong and adjoining areas have been invited to the NEDFI Haat at Guwahati to display and sell their products", Mr Hazarika informed.

Once the baseline study is completed, NEDFi proposes to provide soft loans for self help groups in the War Eco Reserve Area. Asserting that NEDFi is a Development Financial Institute and not a commercial bank, Hazarika says "Apart from credit support through different financial products we also take steps to ensure the all-round development of rural artisans, craftsmen and budding entrepreneurs of the NE region". To promote the range of products from the region, NEDFi has a pavilion at Indain International Trade Fair, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi which is held every year from 14-27 November. The fair facilitates business linkages for the producers/entrepreneurs and also exposes the variety of products to the contemporary markets", an official of NEDFi, Lisa Marbaniang added.

Shillong: As part of BJP’s nation-wide protest against spiralling prices of essential commodities, the Meghalaya State unit of the party staged a dharna at the parking lot opposite State Bank of India (SBI) Main Branch here on Wednesday.

Hundreds of BJP workers, including State BJP president HS Syiemlieh, vice-president Basu Chakraborty and BJP secretary LG Laloo participated in the dharna. BJP workers also displayed placards and banners, condemning the UPA Government’s alleged failure to contain price rise.

The dharna was supposed to be held at a place near Raj Bhavan. The venue of the protest programme was later shifted to the parking lot due to imposition of Section 144 CrPC by the district administration within a 100-meter radius from the Main Secretariat.

Meanwhile, the East Khasi Hills district administration has directed all the shop owners to display price list of all essential commodities in their respective shops.

Informing this here on Wednesday, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Bhalang Dhar said public, as customers, had to right to know the prices of essential commodities and that price list needed to be displayed at the shops.

The DC also urged members of the public to inform the authorities concerned if shops refused to put up the price list of essential commodities, or if there were any cases of overpricing of commodities.

The DC expressed disappointment over the fact that most of the customers, despite being badly affected by price rise, refused to cooperate with the district administration to tackle the problem.

"Tough members of the public have complained about price rise, they are yet to lodge a complaint with the district administration," Mr Dhar said.

He also said governemnt officials would inspect the markets every now and then to ensure that there was no manipulation of prices of essential commodities fixed by the government.

Police said three of his accomplices managed to flee from the scene of the incident.

Shillong: Synjuk Seng Samla Shnong (SSSS) has submitted a memorandum to the State Government, enlisting its views on reforming the educational system in Meghalaya.

In its memo presenetd to the Under Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, SSSS urged an end to rural-urban disparity by setting up educational institutions, in collaboration with the stakeholders, in rural areas with all facilities.

Synjuk called for a flexible curriculum allowing "individual preferential orientation" for the students, besides imparting primary education in the mother tongue.

The organisation was of the view that taxes collected from alcohol, cigarettes, lotteries, amusement and bettings should be channelised to the Education Department, adding a monitoring mechanism needed to be put in place to ensure quality education in different institutions. It also sought development of infrastructure for technical education.

SSSS asked the governemnt to make salaries of teachers attractive by fixing them on a par with those of State Civil Services, apart from other perks.

Further, it said the "pre and post appointment" training of teachers should be made compulsory and counselors inducted as part of teaching staff in each and every educational institution.

Synjuk also said year-long performance of students should be taken into account while awarding marks during exams, adding this would help reduce dropout rates among students.

SHILLONG: Congress legislator Sayeedullah Nongrum has said that the State Government has miserably failed to take effective steps to deal with the flood problem in Garo Hills, particularly Rajabala constituency.

Moving an amendment notice to the Governor's address, Mr Nongrum said he had moved the State Government for flood control measures in Garo Hills since 1993 but to no avail.

"The Governor has failed to highlight flood control measures in the State in his address. This shows the step-motherly attitude of the State Government towards the people of Rajabala," Mr Nongrum said. He also demanded creation of a Civil Sub-division for Rajabala to bring the administration closer to the people of the area, besides addressing other problems in terms of infrastructure development.

Participating in the discussion, another Congress legislator H Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh has demanded review of the existing job reservation policy which, according to him, was not practical, adding reservation should be made only for general and OBC candidates. "The policy should be made flexible so that the issue of unemployment could be dealt with in a proper manner," Mr Lyngdoh said.

On the education front, Mr Lyngdoh said the decision of the State Government to give priority to school teachers working for several years in terms of appointment in schools instead of those who had cleared the State Eligibility Test (SET) had caused confusion among teachers, besides making the test a futile exercise.

Meanwhile, senior Congress legislator Friday Lyngdoh, while taking part in the discussion, said the State Government should study the relevance of district councils in the State.

"The State Government should find out whether district councils are asset or liability to the State," Mr Lyngdoh said. He also called for creation of a music school in the city to hone the musical talents of local youth in order to encourage them to take up music as a profession.

Another Opposition member Pynshngain Syiem, in his speech, has urged upon the government to take up with the Centre the issue of making Balat land custom station operational. According to him, though the trading station was recognised by the Centre, it could not be made operational due to certain technical problems on the part of Bangladesh. He also demanded creation of Mawsynram as a Civil Sub-division. Further, Congress legislator Abu Taher Mandal demanded setting up of a Treasury office at Dadenggiri.

SHILLONG: Congress legislator Sayeedullah Nongrum has said that the State Government has miserably failed to take effective steps to deal with the flood problem in Garo Hills, particularly Rajabala constituency.

Moving an amendment notice to the Governor's address, Mr Nongrum said he had moved the State Government for flood control measures in Garo Hills since 1993 but to no avail.

"The Governor has failed to highlight flood control measures in the State in his address. This shows the step-motherly attitude of the State Government towards the people of Rajabala," Mr Nongrum said. He also demanded creation of a Civil Sub-division for Rajabala to bring the administration closer to the people of the area, besides addressing other problems in terms of infrastructure development.

Participating in the discussion, another Congress legislator H Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh has demanded review of the existing job reservation policy which, according to him, was not practical, adding reservation should be made only for general and OBC candidates. "The policy should be made flexible so that the issue of unemployment could be dealt with in a proper manner," Mr Lyngdoh said.

On the education front, Mr Lyngdoh said the decision of the State Government to give priority to school teachers working for several years in terms of appointment in schools instead of those who had cleared the State Eligibility Test (SET) had caused confusion among teachers, besides making the test a futile exercise.

Meanwhile, senior Congress legislator Friday Lyngdoh, while taking part in the discussion, said the State Government should study the relevance of district councils in the State.

"The State Government should find out whether district councils are asset or liability to the State," Mr Lyngdoh said. He also called for creation of a music school in the city to hone the musical talents of local youth in order to encourage them to take up music as a profession.

Another Opposition member Pynshngain Syiem, in his speech, has urged upon the government to take up with the Centre the issue of making Balat land custom station operational. According to him, though the trading station was recognised by the Centre, it could not be made operational due to certain technical problems on the part of Bangladesh. He also demanded creation of Mawsynram as a Civil Sub-division. Further, Congress legislator Abu Taher Mandal demanded setting up of a Treasury office at Dadenggiri.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the organisation urged the Government to look for an alternative plot of land for implementation of the project to ensure that the project remainedt at Dawki.

The organisation further said the ongoing litigation in connection with land acquisition for the project should not at all hamper development of the War Jaintia area.

It also strongly opposed the idea of shifting the dry port to places other than Dawki.

Ever wonder why the champions of Reservation Raj, our politicos don’t ever talk about reserving 50 per cent seats in Parliament and the State Legislatures for the SCs, STs and OBCs? Why stop at that. How about having at least 27 per cent reserved ministerial posts? The answer? Our netagan simply don’t want to slice their cake. After all, politics is all about conning the electorate, skimming their votes with ‘feel good’ populism and sound bites. Failing to realize that a time may come when the move could boomerang.

Clearly, the landmark judgment by the Five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balkrishna, upholding 27 per cent quota for other backward classes (OBCs) in Central Government institutions of higher education has done a fine balancing act between the anti-reservation lobby and the pro-reservation politicos by playing both ends against the middle. Leaving both disgruntled.

Our caste crazy netagan who have built their career edifice by practising Backward politics, are livid that the "creamy layer" among the OBCs (their brood, children of judges, Class I and II babus et al and those earning Rs 2.5 lakh annually) have been excluded from deriving the benefits of such reservation. Three judges were also against extending the benefits of reservation beyond graduation level. If this interpretation stays, the OBCs will not get reservation in either the IIMs, AIIMS or in other postgraduate courses. Justified Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, "if the creamy layer is included it would be unreasonable, discriminatory or arbitrary, resulting in reverse discrimination."

The verdict has knocked the bottom of the time-worn system of having purely all caste-based quotas. One, because it went against the tenets of Article 15(1) (prohibits discrimination on the ground of caste…) of the Constitution Two, the Court felt that unless the creamy layer (forwards among the Backward Classes) was excluded from the caste group, there could not be a proper identification of the socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC) based on poverty which need to be economically and socially uplifted.

Three, for the caste-fixated politicos the verdict is totally out-of-sync with their greed for power. Specially when they can reap a political windfall of over 70 per cent votes via reservation. See how they are all busy finding ways to get the creamy layer included by raising the income limit and getting post graduate institutions included. Never mind if it pushes India back by a century.

True, the Apex Court needs to be lauded for it’s affirmation of the principle of positive discrimination in favour of the SEBCs while rejecting that social backwardness was a direct function of one’s caste status. As also calling for a review of the OBC quota list every five years.

However, the anti-reservation lobby led by the Youth for Equality is very unhappy. Whatever happened to merit and excellence? When does justice supercede competence? What about the Prime Minister’s much-touted Knowledge Commission? Questionably, is reservation an end in itself? Has any objective study been done to find out whether those provided reservation have gained or continued to lose? How does it better the lot of the ‘deprived’ if a few persons get educated or get jobs?

Look at the grim truth. Fifty per cent of the reserved seats of the IITs remain vacant (even the much lower entry marks were not secured by the students). Worse, after completing a Preparatory Course, many students continue to be unprepared for the intense competition and 'grading on a curve' that they are thrown into. And 25 per cent of those who joined were forced to quit as they were unable to complete the four-year course even in six years! A recent survey points that 23.5 per cent college seats are already with the OBC's on merit. Why then the need for reservations?

Not only that. The Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of SC & ST (1995-2000) noted that in Delhi University between 50 per cent of the under-grad SC seats and 66 per cent ST remained unfilled. As per the University Grants Commission, 1.2 lakh reserved category seats remain vacant at the higher education levels and 40 per cent of reserved category teaching staff posts remain unoccupied. It stands to reason why increase the reserved seats if they go wasted? Is this good use of the taxpayer's money?

Since higher education is costly, who will foot the reserved students’ tuition fees? Specially against the backdrop that nearly Rs 450 billion is spent on professional courses, including medical, dental and engineering. According to an academician, over 85,000 seats remained vacant in the engineering stream during 2003-04 in DU. And, in Karnataka alone, 400 seats in dental colleges remained unfilled.

Less said the better about the teaching staff. Are our politicians aware that over 500 vacancies exist in the reserved teachers’ quota for colleges simply because no candidate could pass the Merit Eligibility Test.? In Karnataka, at least four Government colleges don’t have 60 per cent of the required staff because they failed the eligibility test. Instead of going into the cause, the Centre is now thinking of changing the MET itself to help unsuccessful teachers meet the eligibility. With future teachers such as these, God help our education.

At the same time, none has given a thought to the demoralising impact on the psyche of the qualified individuals denied admission to these colleges. What happens to them? Where do they head? In fact, the verdict in one sense seems to concur with the views of the anti-reservationists. It has raised questions on the effectiveness of such a policy for bringing equality in the society. Specially, as even after six decades of a reservation policy thanks to caste politics the objectives have not been achieved.

As it stands today, there is no deletion in the list of OBCs, instead it goes on increasing. Thus raising a doubt whether anyone is truly interested in removing the inequality? All seem to have forgotten that the Father of the Constitution, Babasaheb Ambedkar wanted to do away with the quota policy after ten years. Needless to say, this Mandal II has reignited the merit vs. quota debate. Once implemented, the new policy would take the overall reservation in the Central Government-funded higher education institutions to 49.5 per cent from the current 22.5 (for SC and ST students).

Post liberalization and in the environs of an increasingly competitive global village, the thirst for education has gone up by over 10-15 per cent. In Bihar alone, educational institutions have opened in every mohalla and gali. But is reservation the answer for bridging the gap between the demand and supply for education? Given the onslaught of expanding students and a shrinking education pie.

No, most certainly not. The danger in imposing arbitrary quotas on admissions to educational institutions is three-fold. One, academic standards would suffer as institutions would no longer be able to admit the highest-scoring students. Two, it would be difficult to attract and retain good faculty, who is likely to get frustrated with a poor standard of students. Three, any deterioration in the quality of education which reflects in short-changing Brand India could jeopardize our remarkable story of economic growth.

Importantly, the Government needs to develop new and innovative ways of providing basic primary education for the backward classes to enable them to compete on an equal footing for merit-based admission to universities. By trying to play catch-up at the college level and cramming down of quotas on education institutions is like putting the cart before the horse.

Look at the absurdity. A recent survey by an NGO showed only 52 per cent students were attending schools in Bihar and 60 per cent in Rajasthan, UP, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. Also, 44 per cent children in public schools in Std II to V couldn’t read simple paragraphs. Nearly five per cent couldn’t do two-digit subtraction sums and in Std VI to VII 40 per cent were unable to handle simple division problems. None know whether the UPA’s flagship, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is actually resulting in kids getting better education.

True, the Government’s fundamental mission is to provide education for all and uplift the poor and backward classes. However, it needs to remember that the system of caste-based quotas has become divisive and self-defeating. Reservations are no answer to improving the lot of the OBCs. It will only further divide our people on caste lines and increase the divide between the haves and have-nots. As Ambedkar said, "If you want different societies to come together, I think it is time that we decide that the use of the word ‘caste’ be banned." Else reconcile to becoming a nation of mediocrity! --- INFA

No one in India might have anticipated the prices to go so much out of control under the present set of UPA’s economic wizards. The finance minister, the brilliant economic manager, has held the portfolio many times. The PM himself is an economist of repute. Planning Commission deputy chairman, a World Bank man, is there always for advice. Then the PM has his economic advisory council with leading economists and corporate honchos as members.

Then how the inflation was allowed to shoot from 4.5 per cent in January last to as high as 7 per cent now? Experts fear it may even reach the double digit. The problem first showed up last year. The panic measures taken then had only a temporary respite. Since then the prices have been steadily rising. What had then prevented the government from checking it in time? At least in the case of inflation, you cannot charge the UPA’s Left supporters or the opposition with putting spoke in government efforts.

The present inflation is not just a case of economic mismanagement alone. Neither is the price rise in food items an issue of administrative bungling by a food minister who spends more time for cricket. This time the uncontrolled price spiral has been due to the cumulative effect of fierce clash of ideas between the different sections in our reform establishment. The resultant pulls and pressures by the interest groups had delayed prompt measures. And unable to take quick decisions, every time the PMO and the finance ministry waited for the push from the political leadership. Thus every remedial action has been half-hearted and haunted by constant fears of going against the spirit of reform.

However, there is unanimity within the reform establishment on two points. First, today’s inflation is an imported malady caused by global factors. Second, it is caused by the excess liquidity in the system as a result of heavy capital inflow. The dominant section in the UPA government has resorted to the short-term remedy of sucking off the excess liquidity through the RBI. With a string of elections this year and general election later, the Congress establishment insisted on quick results. The corporates and diehard reform pundits, however, argue that the only durable method to fight the inflation is to further open up the economy.

They say there is no way other than preparing the country to undergo more painful remedies. Apparently, no ruling party can stomach such rigours in an election year. The reform pundits argue that there is a limit beyond which the RBI cannot raise the repo and interest rates. It has already crossed. The monetary restrictions may reduce liquidity but these will also restrict growth. When interest rates go up, capital investment becomes costlier. The recent fall in growth rate, especially in infrastructure, is being attributed to harsh monetary restrictions.

The corporates argue that by making capital costly, the government has made Indian industry non-competitive. Now they are going in for cheaper capital from abroad. As a result, from mid-2007 onwards, instead of an average $3 billion a month, the net capital flow into India has gone up to $10 billion. Much of this was in the form of external commercial borrowings (ECB) by the corporates. Good or bad, under the rules of globalization the government can only helplessly watch such massive imports of liquidity. All that the RBI could do was to pump rupee into the system – about $ 80 billion since March, 2007 – to neutralize liquidity.

This is the real reason for the present monetary inflation. The government, again under political pressure, tried to put a break to the trend by putting restrictions on ECB in August last and on portfolio inflows in October. However, instead of a fall, the net capital inflow has actually doubled since the restrictions came into force. When interest rates are cheaper abroad, the corporates rush there to grab it. The reform pundits, therefore, insist that the government should now do just opposite – cut the interests to the global levels (rather than raising it) and allow the rupee appreciate against the dollar (as against pumping in huge liquidity).

This, they argue, will make imports cheaper and take care of the food shortages. But the problem is that a stronger rupee will mean an immediate collapse of much of the strenuously built export business. Already lakhs have lost jobs due to the export slump. And the government was forced to cut duty. To this the reform pundits have hardly any answer. This is the crisis of globalization with all its grim dilemma for India. All this is happening even before the proposed full convertibility of rupee.

The injudicious application of privatization and new global economic doctrines without regard to domestic conditions is all the more conspicuous in the UPA government’s supply management in food grains. In the past decades India had managed worse food shortages with enough self-confidence. This was possible due to the time-tested backup of adequate buffer stock with the FCI. The system may be wasteful. Yet the judicious release of grain to offset the price fluctuations had worked wonders. However, in the past two years the system was partially discarded to suit to the UPA government’s doctrinaire adherence to privatization.

It allowed wholesale giants with huge resources, including foreign firms, to mop up grains during the harvest. They undercut prices and bought grains right at the farms circumventing the government mandis. And the government lost crores by way of mandi tax. In the past two years, FCI, which was to buy 15 million tonnes got only 11 million tones. With huge shortfalls in buffer stocks and higher prices abroad, the private trade hiked the prices. De-hoarding is illogical because the wholesale food trade works on buying during the harvest and selling off-season.

Finally, wisdom dawn on the government only when market forces let it down miserably on the election eve. Now it has belatedly decided to build a ‘strategic reserve’ of 5 billion good grains (three wheat and two rice) at Centre’s cost over and above the normal buffer stock. It will be preferably through procurement and then imports by STC/MMTC. Another case of market betrayal relates to speculative futures trading introduced as part of market reform. It may have worked in other countries. But in India even those who have not seen pulses and grains began speculating in the commodity market which do not need taking physical possession of the goods. A panicked administration recently imposed ban on futures trading in most commodities. But that, again, was too late. This was another bitter lesson for the netas. (IPA Service)

Madam

On 07 April 2008 at around 8 AM. I went to withdraw money from my Bank of Baroda's ATM located at Police Bazar. However, on reaching the place the ATM was out of service with the door half closed. As I was in need of money urgently, I went to the nearby SBI's ATM at GS Road(Opp Center Point). There, when I tried to withdraw an amount of Rs 5000 only, the machine denied withdrawal with the message that my account has reached the upper limit for withdrawal in a day. I was surprised at first and could not believe my eyes. So I tried the second time, again I got the same reply. Unable to withdraw I came out of the cabin. Just then one person also came to the ATM. I told him the problem, then quickly he said, please try to withdraw only Rs 1000 at a time then it will work. He also told me that he had a similar experience with the Tura ATM of SBI. After listening to him I tried to withdraw Rs 2000 and he was right. It worked. So to withdraw Rs 5000, I had to push my card and push the buttons three times. At last, I got the money but ended up being deducting a service charge of Rs 60 for using the SBI's ATM with my BOB Card.

My question to the concerned banks and the public is this: Is this the SBI ways of earning money from their customer by not allowing to withdraw beyond Rs 2000 at a time? Is there any defect with the machine? If there wasn't any defect and this is the way SBI ATMs normally function I suggest that the public should think twice before withdrawing money from any ATM belonging to the SBI.

Yours etc.,
Allen Kom
Shillong-21

Madam,

As we all know, culture is very dear to any ethnic group all over the world. We, Indians, in particular, value our culture very highly. We try to preserve it and promote it. The many cultural centres like museums, cultural villages, heritage sites, etc. found all over the country bear witness to this fact. Our Central and State governments spend crores of rupees every year in maintaining them. Recently, I visited the "renowned" Kalakshetra of Guwahati, Assam. I was saddened and disgusted the way that cultural centre is lacking maintenance, and the shabby presentation of the rich culture of Assam there!

On the contrary, think of the now famous Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures at Mawlai, Shillong, a seven storey building rising into Shillong's skyline. Here one gets an overview of the entire Northeast under one roof. A landmark achievement of international standards, the Don Bosco Museum at Mawlai is fast emerging as the single major tourist attraction in Shillong.

If our State of Meghalaya has to progress, then those who deliver the goods should not only be encouraged but also receive assistance whether they be governmental or a non-governmental institutions. Just imagine, this much appreciated Don Bosco Museum so far has not received any help from the government! This writer's suggestion is that even if the government makes no effort to find out who deserves help or who does not, at least it should not deny assistance when a Cultural Centre like that of Don Bosco at Mawlai which promotes indigenous cultures in a professional way, seeks help to do still better and to bring greater honour to our State. Whether true or not people say that the Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures is perhaps the largest of its kind in Asia, and MAWLAI is proud to have it there!

Yours etc.,
J. Thyrniang
Rangblang

NEW DELHI: Elephants dying in train accidents, mostly in North East, has forced the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India to file a Right to Information Request with the Ministry of Railways about action taken to protect elephants who are killed in train accidents.

Earlier in February this year, PETA had written to Minister of Railways Lalu Prasad Yadav urging him to take actions to save Indian Railways mascot elephant "Bholu's" real life friends in the wild.

Elephant herds migrate long distances in search of food, this allows the vegetation to regenerate after the herd passes through an area.

The matriarch leading the herd follows traditional migration routes, which may have been in use for centuries.

The presence of railways in protected areas around the country has caused death of wild elephants through accidents.

"On the eve of the 150th year of India Railways, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India released "Bholu", the elephant, as the mascot of railways.