"There should be an approach to take up all developmental activities. I will work together with the State Government to see that areas that are left out of the developmental sphere are taken care of," Mr Joshi told reporters after taking oath as the new Governor.

The acting Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Justice D Biswas administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Joshi at the Raj Bhavan here on Thursday. Mr Joshi succeeds Mundakkal Mathew Jacob, who held the post for a record 12 years. Mr Jacob was first appointed the Governor of Meghalaya on June 12, 1995. He was appointed for another term in 2000 till April 12 .

Mr Joshi said there was tremendous potential for development in the North-East including Meghalaya. He said during the recent North East Business Summit in New Delhi, a decision was taken to launch a massive economic programme for the region.

"Development of Meghalaya should be a priority. If there is a gap we should look for ways and means to fill that gap," Mr Joshi said adding that social organisations of the State have a crucial role in moving the society forward. The Governor "impressed by the vibrant media" in the State said, "Media is a guarantee for democracy and development."

Stating that stability of Government was needed for development, Mr Joshi, however, said sustaining democracy is a big challenge. According to him, in a democratic system, everyone tries to assert his own democratic right.

While admiring the scenic beauty of the State, Mr Joshi said he was excited ever since he received the news of his appointment as Governor of Meghalaya. "I had been in Shillong many years back when Meghalaya was under the composite State of Assam. The city had a breathtaking beauty," Mr Joshi said.

Journey from a Rajasthan village to Shillong: Mr Joshi, who was till recently the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, was born in 1936 in Ghatu village of Rajasthan. He studied at Scottish Church College and University Law College, Kolkata.

He started his career in 1957 with the Indian Police Service (IPS) and worked with the Intelligence Bureau on various fields like Interpol, counterfeiting, narcotics, industrial security, United Nations Correctional Work and juvenile delinquency.

Mr Joshi had worked in the Prime Minister's Office with then Prime Ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi. He was also with the Union Ministry of External Affairs as the First Secretary in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad and London. He was also Head of Chancery in the Indian Embassy in Washington.

Mr Joshi took voluntary retirement from the IPS in 1991 and got involved in social work. He also served as advisor in a large industrial group and in 1993 he moved to the United States where he was Director of two large American software companies and was also Executive Director of 'Foundation for Execellence Inc' -- a California-based NGO involved in awarding scholarships to bright and needy students of India.

After his return from the US in March, 2000, Mr Joshi was appointed as member of the Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission -- a position equivalent to a High Court judge where he worked for four years. He held the post of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi from June 9, 2004 to April 8, 2007.

In a letter to the Chief Minister on Thursday, the GSU said so far only late PJ Sangma held the post among the Garo community and that the present MPSC Chairperson Judith E Shullai was directly appointed in the post ignoring senior members like George G Pariat, Noblune Momin and D Ch Marak.

The first phase of inspection will be conducted on April 25 in Jaintia Hills Sector from Umkiang to Hingeria and then from Kuliang and Jaliakholia. The second phase on April 30 will cover Nongjri to Umiuhtmar in East Khasi Hills.

Inspection will be carried out in the areas falling in "adverse possessions" in Pyrdiwah, Umsyiem and Hat Thymmai during the third phase on May 4.

The CCIB will send its recommendations to the government through the CCIBBF after inspection of the borders, CCIB member Hamletson Dohling said. 

The CCIBBF has conducted the first joint inspection of the borders in December last year from Dawki to Jaliakhola in Jaintia Hills.

MLAs of border constituencies, Chief Secretary R Chatterjee, senior government officials and members of CCIB also took part in the meeting.

After a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, the Chief Minister said the government received both the reports and they were being examined by the Political Affairs department.

"If required, the Cabinet will meet again to give the final nod for tabling the reports, he said while assuring that "there will not be any tampering with the reports."

On the ethnic tension in Block I and Block II in Karbi Anglong district of Asom, Mr Lapang said the government was in favour of re-transfer of Block I and Block II areas from Asom.

"The Block I and II were tagged to Asom for administrative convenience and these areas can be transferred to Meghalaya," he said.

The Chief Minister will soon meet his Asom counterpart Mr Tarun Gogoi to discuss the issues relating to border dispute between the states.

Admitting differences among the MDA partners over the delimitation process, the Chief Minister said it was up to the Delimitation Commission to implement the delimitation of constituencies for 2008 elections.

"We leave it to the Commission to decide on the matter," he said.

Though the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) was not discussed in the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister assured that he would discuss the NGOs' demand to review the HSRP price with the Transport Minister.

"I will examine the merits and demerits of implementing the number plates," he said.

Expressing concern over recent instances of lack of quorum in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said he would look into the matter and take remedial measures.

Admitting that there was undue delay on the part of the MPSC to fill up the vacant posts of teachers, Chief Minister DD Lapang said, "We don't want any classroom to function without teachers." The committee will also examine the appointments of specialist doctors in the hospitals, he said.

Claiming that the ban on Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) is politically motivated, Marak said, "Even the State government does not want us to join the mainstream political arena and therefore it is pushing hard for the ban to continue."

Speaking to The Shillong Times after the first day's proceeding of the Unlawful Association (Prevention) Tribunal to adjudicate ANVC and HNLC as unlawful associations here on Thursday, Marak said the ban was motivated by some vested interests.

He said one instance to prove the government's intention not allow the ANVC to come to the mainstream was that during the proceeding, SPs and DCs of various districts gave names of those people who had no connection with the outfit. He, however, said the ANVC would not backtrack from its demand for a separate "Garoland" within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.

"It is the legitimate demand of the Garo people and we have the support of entire Garo population in Meghalaya and Asom," he said.

Since the ANVC entered into a tripartite cease-fire agreement with the State and the Central governments in July 2004, it has not indulged in any illegal activities, he claimed.

The tribunal will pass a verdict on whether to lift the ban on ANVC and HNLC before May 14. On Thursday's hearing, while the ANVC was represented by Marak the State government was represented by deputy commissioners and superintendents of police.

"We expect the recent order by the DGP Bijon K Dey Sawian will be implemented fully and will not remain only in the files," MCCTOA general secretary B Khongsit said in a statement issued here.

SHILLONG: The students of Shillong Law College have resorted to indefinite strike on Thursday in the college premises to protest against the decision of the authorities to conduct internal selection test starting from May 7 among other issues.

According to the students, there was no prior official notice for conducting the selection test. The students said that this was for the first time that the college is introducing the selection test, adding that those who qualify this can only write final examinations.

The students also alleged that the Students Bar Association (SBA) did not notify the message regarding the selection test for the information of the students, adding that they came to know about the matter only one month ahead of the selection test.

The students also expressed concern over holding the examinations for two papers in a day. They also said that the supplementary result has not been declared by NEHU.

Meanwhile, the Principal of Shillong Law College Dr ODV Ladia said only 10 to 12 students came on Wednesday and wanted to cancel the decision regarding the selection test. According to him, the matter to hold the selection test was discussed on April 5, and attended by all the students and lecturers. He said the selection test was good for the students as it will help to screen the capability of students so that those who pass the test can sit for the examinations. The Principal also justified holding two examinations in one day saying that to complete the examinations for 28 subjects it was necessary.

SHILLONG: Manbha Foundation Chairman Dr Rica Lamar said that at present there were altogether 15 children who are directly or indirecty affected by HIV/AIDS in the State.

Informing this here on Thursday, Dr Lamar said that the foundation was finding a lot of difficulties to provide the children with all the basic facilities on account of shortage of funds, adding that it was trying its best to raise funds from different sources for the said cause.

"The various expenses for bringing up these children includes food with special nutrition, expenses on education and also the expenses on regular medication and investigation on the health of these children," Dr Lamar said.

She however said that she was thankful to the Rotary Club, Shillong for taking up the initiative for rasing funds for the welfare of these children.

Meanwhile, Rotary Club Shillong President Mr SL Singhania said that as part to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Shillong Rotary Club is organizing a 12 km walkathon marathon on May 12 to raise funds for the cause of HIV/AIDS in the State.

He said that the event also marks the continuous efforts of the club to contribute towards the burning issue which is affecting the society.

"In order to attract more participants and to make the event more colourful the club is seeking the support of its fellow members from Mumbai to rope in a film or sports personality for the event

He said that there was a possibility that either Jackie Shroff, Sunil Shetty or ace wicketkeeper Mr Samir Dighe would attend the event as the celebrity guest to flag off the marathon.

It may be mentioned that the event would start from State Central permises and also conclude at the same place.

SHILLONG: In a step forward towards building up the relationship among the different communities of 21-Mawprem constituency, a two-day festival of fun and fiesta, display of talent, tradition and culture is being organised by the Ardhendu Chaudhuri Charitable Trust (ACCT) at Rilbong on May 5 and 6.

Informing this here on Thursday, ACCT Managing Trustee Manas Chaudhuri said that the festival, which will be the first of its kind in the State, has been christened as "Mawpremfest." It has the additional objective of providing a platform for the hidden talents in the area to showcase their talents in wide-ranging fields. "The events of the fest will vary from baby show to beauty pageant, from games of skill to games of strength, from marathon race to music unplugged, from dance to antakshari competition. ‘Mawpremfest’ is in fact a unique competition among the 12 major localities comprising the entire constituency," Mr Chaudhuri said.

The localities which will send their nominees for each of the 24 areas of contest are Mawbah (Barapathar), Upper Mawprem, Nongsohphoh (Naspatighari), Cantonment area, Jhalupara, Rilbong, Kench’s Trace, Oxford Mission Compound, Bishnupur, New Kench’s Trace, Paltan Bazar and Lower Paltan Bazar.

The locality that ends up winning the maximum number of prizes will be lifting the Champion’s Trophy to be instituted in memory of Late Ardhendu Chaudhuri. "The idea is to rekindle the sense of pride in our area of residence, and also to afford plain and unadulterated fun to all sections of people through participation in a common pursuit. The festival is expected to witness the best available talents drawn from these localities competing among themselves in the following spheres: tug-of-war, arm wrestling, games of skill, dance on modern songs, display of traditional dresses, games for children, music unplugged, marathon race, antakshari, baby show, ‘Miss Mawprem’, ‘Mrs Mawprem’ and ‘Mr Maprem’ contests. Besides, there will be fun games, exhibition of art and artefacts and variety of food stalls," said Mr Chaudhuri. It is expected that the residents from different areas will converge at the Rilbong Ground to cheer their nominees for all these contests. Felicitation of some prominent citizens of the localities, attractive prizes, brief fireworks and grand opening ceremony will be the other highlights of Mawpremfest. Mr Chaudhuri however said that there were no financial implications for participation in the event, adding that the Dorbar Shnong, Seng Kynthei and Seng Samla of various localities have been provided an opportunity to put up food stalls during the event. He further added that the proposed expenditure for the event is between Rs 3 to 3.5 lakh.

Addressing a press conference on the 50th Anniversary of Rotary Club Shillong here on Thursday, Mr Pradhan who is also the president of Rotary Club Shillong further admitted that some of his men "overstepped the limits" by issuing the show donor cards instead of traffic violation slips. He however denied that the Rotary Club was involved in unfair practices for the sake of generating funds for their various social benefits programmes adding that the Rotary Club has never been indulged in unfair practices and it will continue to be so. Further he assured that the same mistake would not be repeated.

SHILLONG: The Relief and Rehabilitation Colony Welfare Society in a meeting held on April 12 at the Society’s office expressed surprise over the statement of the Rynjah Dorbar Shnong.

It has clarified that Relief and Rehabilitation Colony is entirely a separate locality having its own seperate identity and boundary and the president of the Colony’s welfare society has been functioning as ex-officio headman since 1960.

Lou has lined up a list of songs he will be performing in the one-and-a-half-hour April Shower 60th show on Saturday evening at the State Central Library U Soso Tham Auditorium. The programme will also release a documentary on DVD of the Great Society and Ghost Revisited music video. It may be mentioned here that this will be a purely private function to be attended by family, friends and well wishers of Majaw. Lou Majaw, popularly known as the "Bob Dylan of the North-East India" was born in 1947.

A self taught guitar-man, Lou inspired by Dylan only in 1966 with Blowing in the Wind, performed similar folk-based songs. Being born to a poor family, Lou could not afford a guitar or a radio (a luxury at that point of time), and came to know about musical icons like Elvis Presley while at his friend’s house. Motivated, he learned to play guitar in school.

As time passed by, Lou moved to Kolkata where he played in smoky bars and pubs for various groups - Dynamite Boys, Vanguards, Supersound Factory, and Blood and Thunder. Inspired by Dylan, Lou started organising a folk festival to "honour Dylan" at a small auditorium in Shillong from May 24, 1972. When it started there were just about thirteen people. Over the years the number of people in the audience increased. This became the "Dylan’s birthday concert" annual concert for the last 34 years that continues to pay respect to the musical legend that lives on. Someday, Majaw hopes the legend will grace the occasion. He is also a member of the Great Society and Ace of Spades. Besides playing Dylan’s songs, he also pens down and performs his own compositions.

This writer has on several occasions been ingeniously asked to shut up and stop writing. Those who say so forget that the reason one writes is precisely to create a debate in society. The current debate that I wish to generate is whether we have a civil society in Meghalaya and what sort of civil society is desirable. The reason for doing so is because the word civil society has gained much currency in recent times in our country and state. Many scholars, notable among them are Neera Chandhoke and TK Oomen have dissected and disemboweled the overt and covert meaning of civil society. The former has written a volume titled 'The Conceits of Civil Society' where she cautions against being seduced by the term and looking at it as a remedy to all the ills that plague modern democracy. Chandhoke also enquires into the inherent politics of civil society which can often be as dangerous as that of the State.

There is a danger in using concepts and terms that emerge as popular jargons of the development discourse and which we quickly appropriate without full comprehension. P Sainath that remarkable devil's advocate for the rural poor, objects strongly to the use of the term civil society because he feels that it excludes individuals who are not attached to any group or organization. Should such individuals then be called 'uncivil'?, questions Sainath. Since the intrusion of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), primarily aided by international donor agencies, into the sphere of governance, the word civil society is increasingly used to define and categorize them. But if civil society is to include only NGOs then the term, to my mind, is severely restricted. Scholars like Gramsci and others believe that civil society is a buffer between the State and citizens where the State is characterized by a political society operating in an arena of domination and coercion and a civil society being an association of people through consent and direction. Unfortunately, civil society is not a paradigm of such clear delineation.

Let us look at the State of Meghalaya and its recent political upheavals all of which were created to suit the interests of a few elected representatives. It all originated from the ruthless ambitions of a few to acquire power and pelf. The ordinary people have nothing to gain from frequent change of governments. Yet they are subjected to political instability which hurts governance and gives the bureaucracy the excuse not to deliver. People are frustrated at the gross display of shameless horse trading. We were all aware that big money changed hands and that those who financed the formation of this new government would get back more than their pound of flesh. But we are all so hamstrung. We realize that politicians do not care how people feel because politics is an emotionless game. By the time the elections come most people have forgotten the horrible antics of their MLAs and a 500 rupee note is enough to buy one vote.

There is this tormenting angst in the hearts of concerned citizens that this sort of political tyranny should be stopped because it could easily lead to another reactive tyranny of the oppressed. Maoism and Naxalism are but revolts against continued domination of the State and the near perfect plan of enriching those who already have too much by snatching from the poor. How do citizens fight against this continued negligence by the State and its apathy towards meeting the basic needs of the rural, landless and disempowered citizen? Surely they need a collective. But what sort of a collective is the moot point.

Meghalaya and its capital city of Shillong has bred thousands of social groups many of them claiming to espouse the cause of the poor and downtrodden. We have students' bodies and youth groups of various persuasions. All of them take up issues that ostensibly affect the common man. The only problem is that when they are at war against the State it is the common man whose livelihoods are affected and whose lives are endangered. For instance, when a bandh is called to protest Government indifference to an issue, there is always an underlying threat against those who violate the bandh call. Yet if we look at the ground situation, the reality is that Government has its machinery to protect its workers. It is the daily labourer who needs his square-meal-a-day who is exposed to the danger of being attacked on his way to work. If he stays at home he and his family might face starvation. Yet no one cares to see that aspect. These pressure groups which go by the generic term of civil society can by their actions prove uncivil, inconsiderate and as tyrannical as the State.

When Mr JD Rymbai stepped down and surrendered to his beta noire DD Lapang due to inner political coercion, the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) called an evening curfew from 6 Pm to 6 Am for at least five days. This curfew call coincided with the Senior School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination. In fact, the Lapang camp had tactically showed their hands during this particular period to disarm the pressure groups that had threatened to go on a rampage if Lapang was reinstated as chief minister. While all the other pressure groups backed off on account of the examinations, a crucial one for every high school student, the HNYF went ahead with the agitation programme. As a result of this callous step of the organization, many students could not reach their examination centre on time due to the unprecedented traffic jam caused by trucks plying along national highway 44 from 6 Am in the morning. National highway 44 is the lifeline of many a school student coming from Madanrting, Mawshbuit, Nongthymmai etc.

When a student reaches the examination hall late, she is a nervous wreck. Her paper on that particular day is doomed. So who pays for this kind of heartless, insensitive behaviour? Surprisingly, parents whose children were affected did not even have the courage to voice their resentment. Perhaps it takes too much effort to form a collective. Or it could be fear of reprisal? But the fact remains that the actions of so-called civil society groups can and have been tyrannical at the best of times. When they call a bandh no one has the guts to defy. This is where a non-coercive, inclusive alternative becomes necessary. Nature, they say abhors a vacuum. Today there is a vacuum between the Government and the people. Those who occupy some meager space in the vacuum and claim to represent our interests have their political agenda. In any case they never consider it important to consult the public whose support they seek.

In such a situation the huge mass of unattached individuals need to think of a way out of the two types of oppression they face - one from the State the other from non-State actors. There is need for some sort of non-political society which may not necessarily have to fit the mould of civil society as defined by western political theorists. We need a peoples' movement to fan out into the periphery to enlighten the masses about their only bargaining tool - their vote. People need political education and they need to articulate their own grievances and get into their own advocacy roles without depending on sundry city-based pressure and interest groups. One finds that the rural populace is so disempowered they feel no one would listen to them if they stepped into a government office. In fact while doing an exercise on the definition of poverty not many people spoke of hunger as an indicator. What they did speak of was their inability to continue schooling and their lack of skills to speak to government officials or the skills to negotiate for a functioning water supply system or electricity.

Capacity building of rural folks should be the goal of all peoples' movements and of governments. Sadly very few government departments allocate funds for information, education and communication (IEC) the three pillars of rural empowerment. When the masses understand why they vote and who they should vote for we might have fewer pressure groups to control the destinies of the silent majority. Although it sounds kind of utopian to believe that an enlightened mass will elect better individuals, chances are that more sober elements might come into the legislatures and the political bohemians would subsequently be rooted out. Hopefully that situation might also encourage the emergence of a peoples' lobby group that is more humane and transparent.

Tailpiece: Since the pot of the NEHU debate is still churning and fermenting I shall hold my peace for now but am not likely to give up the good fight merely because a few people with no courage to write in their own names have taken a personal swipe. Somebody has rightly remarked that lawyers who have no substantive points of defence always get personal. In the writing profession, dissent is welcome provided it is based on issues raised. Getting defensive about a public institution would, as KN Phukan in his article, 'Education, Corruption, Waste: Wretched Interactions', says, allow dead wood to settle and waste to gather, remain and kill.

The issue of reservations in both jobs and admissions to institutes of learning is again being hotly debated. Passions have been aroused, and emotions for and against reservations are running high. Demonstrations have taken place and clarion calls have been given by both sides. A recent judgment by a double bench of the Supreme Court, stayed the implementation of The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006, till the government satisfies it fully on certain queries. Obviously, this recently enacted law will not affect the process of admission in higher educational institutions in the academic session 2007-08.

If one looks around, one finds that both the supporters and the opponents seem to be oblivious of the changing scenario in the world and its impact on India. Their actions are influenced more by emotions than the realities of globalisation. Their statements and actions are based on the assumptions of the bygone days. Before we demonstrate this, let us peep into the genesis of reservations for socially backward classes.

During the freedom struggle, the national movement committed itself to the uplift of the socially backward classes in general and Dalits (the so-called untouchables) and the tribals in particular. The Constitution made special provisions to this effect. It reserved seats in Parliament as well as State legislatures for the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and provided for job reservations for them. For other backward classes, Article 340 of the Constitution provided for the appointment of a Commission to investigate their conditions. To quote: "The President may by order appoint a Commission … to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes … and the difficulties under which they labour and make recommendations…."

In pursuance of this, the first Backward Classes Commission was appointed in 1953. It formulated four main criteria to determine social backwardness. They included (a) a degraded status, (b) lack of education, (c) under-representation in civil services, and (d) insufficient job opportunities in secondary and tertiary sectors. Accordingly, the Commission prepared a list of 2399 castes to be included in the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). They accounted for 32 per cent of the total population of the country.

A quarter century later, the Morarji Desai government set up another Backward Classes Commission under the chairmanship of B. P. Mandal. Its report came in December 1980. It identified 3743 castes to be included in the OBCs. They accounted for 52 per cent of India's population, but had only a 12.5 per cent share in civil service jobs. It thus recommended the reservation of 27 per cent jobs in civil service and public undertakings for them. Already 15 per cent and 7.5 per cent jobs were reserved for SCs and STs respectively. In all, 49.5 per cent jobs were to be reserved.

This report remained in cold storage till the second half of 1990 when the V. P. Singh government resurrected it to corner the BJP and garner the support of the OBCs in its inner power struggle. The implementation of the Mandal Commission report polarized the society and led to disturbances. As a result of prolonged litigation, the Supreme Court ruled that, in no case, the extent of reservations should exceed 50 per cent and the "creamy layer" among the OBCs must be kept outside.

Within a year of announcement of the implementation of the Mandal Commission, the Narasimha Rao government with Dr. Manmohan Singh as its finance minister came to power. In the beginning of the second half of 1991, it went in for the acceptance of globalization based on the Washington consensus, and economic reforms as mandated by it began. They included, inter alia, drastic reduction in the size of the government, privatization of public sector undertakings and strict fiscal discipline. Consequently, not only the number of jobs in the government sector fast declined but also any future possibility of their expansion completely vanished. Adherence to fiscal discipline meant not filling up the existing job vacancies. A large number of existing employees were retired by giving attractive packages under VRS (voluntary retirement scheme) and jobs vacated by them were seldom filled up. The buyers of public sector undertakings too bade farewell to many of the employees on the plea that they were overstaffed.

Technological changes led to the decline of jobs in public sector banks, insurance companies, and posts and telegraph departments. Prof. R. Vaidyanathan of the IIM, Bangalore, in the Business Line (August 12, 2004), stressed that the employment opportunities in the government and public sector undertakings stagnated during the 1990s and declined thereafter. According to Economic Survey 2006-07, the total number of government (central government, state governments, quasi-governments and local bodies) was 19,445,000 in 1994, which declined to 19,314,000 in 2000 and to 18,197,000 in 2004, the latest year for which data are given. Obviously, the roller coaster of globalization rubbished the Mandal Commission recommendations.

In 2004, when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), headed by the Congress assumed power at the Centre, its Common Minimum Programme undertook "to provide for full equality of opportunity, particularly in education and employment for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs and religious minorities." The work began on two fronts. First, a group of ministers was set up in September 2004 to initiate talks with the private sector to accept reservations in jobs for SCs, STs, and OBCs. A coordination committee was set up in the Prime Minister's office in October 2006 to explore possibilities and ways and means to introduce job quotas in the private sector. The private sector does not seem to be inclined towards it. To quote a typical reaction, J. J. Irani, a former president of the CII and managing director of Tata Steel: "We are all on the same side - the Government, Industry and the target population group and we have assured that the chambers and industry will voluntarily take steps towards the improvement of the SC/ST.

"We have made it clear that we are against quotas. We are against the reservation. Any move to impose this through legislation will be unfortunate." Obviously, imposition of job quotas may lead to a decline in investments, both indigenous and foreign. Investors may shift somewhere else.

Second, the Directive Principles of State Policy talk of the "Promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections" and ask the government to "protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation." In accordance with this, The Constitution (93rd Amendment) Act, 2005 was brought in, which provided that state could make laws for reservation in admission for SCs, STs, and OBCs. The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Bill 2006 became a law when the President signed it on January 3, 2007. It was to be enforced from the academic session 2007-08. Now it seems, after the Supreme Court order, it will be indefinitely delayed.

Sir,

Apropos the news report "Mob attack in check gates in Garo Hills, Deborah for curb on illegal tollgates, (ST, April 7), where it was mentioned "However, the situation further took turn for the worse when the marauding mob was returning from Dainadubi towards Rongjeng. Several hundred people, opposed to the burning of the gates, attacked those who had destroyed the gates. In the clashes both sides sustained injuries as heavy stone pelting and group fights occurred". The news report is not entirely based on facts.

The public of Rongjeng reacted to the marauding mob carrying deadly weapons who threatened the public on their way, asked the vegetable sellers of Rongjeng market to close down, small traders were harassed, some passers by are beaten and the vegetables of poor villagers selling at the Rongjeng market were trampled upon and damaged, some pelted stones at the public. Some rowdy processionists even went to the extent of tearing the school uniform skirts of girls who were coming from the playground after the games which angered the parents and guardians. Women who had gone to collect fire woods from the forest were also teased. The rowdy mob, recklessly driving bikes, Sumos and trucks, even challenged the public of Rongjeng of dire consequences, if the Rongjeng market and the shops were not closed before they were back from Dainadubi.

The public of Rongjeng are not opposed to the demolition of illegal check gates and the weigh bridges erected along the National Highway-62. Rather they have been asking the Government and the district administration to regulate loading of coal trucks, erect check gates and weigh bridges, etc. in order to avoid road damages, mushrooming of check gates and weigh bridges with the sole intention of extortion of money.

Yours etc.
J Marak,
Rongjeng.

Sir,

Few weeks back a friend of mine told me that Fire and Emergency Service department, where he works, transferred salary of the staff to the SBI, Laitumkhrah branch with due approval of IG of the Department (F&ES) and following this some of his colleagues have also availed loan from the said bank. My friend also applied for loan to help his brother to set up his business. But my friend's dream was shattered when his plea for personal loan was rejected. The reason the bank staff gave was that the SP of his department had refused to transfer the salary to the bank for reasons best known to him. Now question is how could other people avail the loan?

After a thorough inquiry it came to light that at a time when the SP was on leave the IG of the department took over the charge and approved the request of the staff to transfer their salaries to the SBI. It created a lot of inconvenience to the bank since one officer gave his seal of approval and the other refused to acknowledge the same. Is this the way the bosses of Fire and Emergency Service behave?

Yours etc,.
S Nongrum
Shillong-4

Top representatives of Mumbai-based Indo-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Shillong-based North East Federation of International Trade (NEFIT) and other trade bodies called on the ambassador Mr Kyi Thein here recently. They impressed upon the ambassador on the urgent need to clear all official obstacles so as to expedite and enhance trade and tourism between the two countries.

The trade bodies also urged Mr Kyi Thien to visit north-eastern States close to the international boundary to identify the potential of integrated linkage for promotion of border trade.

The Indian delegation also focused on promoting cross-border tourism through the land route via Tamu and its opposite town Moreh as entry and exit points. The Government was also asked to change the policy about maintaining the list of items for trade through Moreh.

The list of 22 items has failed to live up to expectations and trade during the last five to six years has dwindled, an official posted at the Moreh border told the Summit. The list should be thrown open and a small list of negative items has to be maintained, officials were told.

The Indian traders' representatives also wanted the Government of India to set up immigration counters at the Moreh border. They said that patients from Myanmar were interested to come to North-East for treatment now that the military junta has allowed travel by road.

Mr G.L.Goenka from the Chamber of Commerce, at a session at the 3rd North East Business Summit in Delhi had said that India can expect about a million Buddhist tourists as well. Reacting to this Secretary Tourism Mr Ashok Mishra had said that it was feasible.

It is to be noted that 3 MMSCMD of gas is planned to be supplied for Palatana Power Project in South Tripura district. The project includes fast-track exploration and development of Gas resources through intensive drilling and setting up Surface infrastructure, for supplying the gas to the 740 MW Power Plant of OTPC, in which ONGC shall have holding of 50 per cent equity.