Abraham Lincoln once said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." However, the poor and gullible of India have been fooled by the politicians of all hues, all of the time without let or hindrance. At the fag-end of the term of governance, the government of the day realizes that they could do nothing worthwhile for the people in general and poor in particular as promised in their election manifestoes, they take short cut ways to wrest power once again, by announcing attractive freebies in cash or kind to voters. This is nothing but deceit. The fact is that four-and-a-half-year period has apparently been wasted in politicking and babblings on no-issues. When there has been no strong opposition, the government of the day can get away by doing, whatever they intend to do. This is the tragedy of Indian democracy!
Now, let us come to the issue of cash transfer of Rs 3,000 to more than seven lakh of tea garden workers, when government has to borrow Rs 6,000 to Rs 12, 000 crore from the Reserve Bank of India, to keep the show go on. Finally, onus lies with taxpayers to repay the amount. The tea garden workers are under organized sectors. They are regularly getting their wages / salaries, bonus, free ration (or with pittance amount), free electricity, water, education and housing facilities from their respective owners/ companies. This has been continuing, since the inception of tea gardens in Assam. As such the State government has no responsibility/role to play on the above issues. Now, how the State government has come into the picture? However, there has to be some checks and balances from government side on the overall welfare of the tea workers of state. Without doubt, the companies have to utilize their resources; not by the state government. Instead of cash transfer of Rs 3,000, the government should have pressurized the tea companies to raise the wage of workers to Rs 351 per day as demanded and agreed upon as well. The State government must walk-the-talk.
Prafulla Dowarah,
Guwahati.
It is now known to all that many people especially the migrant workers have lost their jobs or engagement owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. After closing their income they have to return to their own states or places. Most of them do not see any hope that their employers would call them back for their works once again. So, they are to do something locally to maintain sustenance to their own families. Assam has to take the load of more than fifty lakh of unemployed people. It is a good sign that engagement lost Assamese people have given interest in agriculture and other small business. They are trying to occupy the cropland which are now in illegal migrant's hands and the market by doing various trades. It is now a common sight that Assamese people are coming forward to engage themselves in abattoir, dairy farm, saloon, laundry, mechanical and many other works. It is a good sign that the industrious people never die from hunger. But now they have to maintain discipline and honesty in their deeds. If they are able to become dedicated, hard working and true to their business, one day they will certainly overcome from their financial hardships and shine in their lives.
Harsha Mohan Sarma,
Chamata, Nalbari
Being an Assamese I am thrilled to know that Kaliabor MP and son of ex-Chief Minister Torun Gogoi Gaurav Gogoi has been selected as deputy leader of parliament by the Indian National Congress (INC). He rightly deserves so as we have seen him highlighting the basic problems of the state as well as the nation in chaste Hindi and English. At least Sonia Gandhi and company have thought to project someone young in a responsible post. I guess Mr. Gaurav Gogoi has been able to differentiate between male and female fish. Assamese language! All the best to young Gogoi.
Aparna Sarma Chowdhury,
GNB Road, Guwahati
Words fall short to condemn the cruel act of pouring scalding hot water on a minor domestic help by a doctor in Dibrugarh on August 27. It's really heartbreaking to imagine the unbearable pain the minor (12) experienced while he was fast asleep at night. Hopefully, the judiciary will take punitive action against the culprits who committed this felony.
Undoubtedly, the root cause of the happening is -complete disregard to the law and lack of the authorities' much-needed goodwill to protect the law. Though employing children under 14 years as domestic help is illegal in India, it's a common sight everywhere. The children who work in homes are more vulnerable to abuse by the employer than those who work in public places like tea stalls and eateries.
Quite regrettably, majority of these employers are well-educated and well-bred. If one tries to make them understand, they argue back saying child labour may be a crime, but they are helping the poor child and it's better than him or her dying due to penury. But they fail to realize that they are taking away his or her childhood and right to education. Rather, they convinced others they are good Samaritans.
If we are to make the society domestic child labour free and to curb recurrence of such heart-wrenching incidents, the so-called maid agencies, turning now into human trafficking agencies, must be kept a tight rein on. Besides, the NGOs for child protection should take measures to sensitize people on the issue of child labour. It's worth mentioning that these minors are no less talented than anyone else.
Dipen Gogoi,
Teok, Jorhat