Letters to the Editor

It is welcome to note that the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has proposed to develop a national database of unorganized workers. This will be a comprehensive database of the unorganized workers, including building and other construction workers and migrant workers. It will have details of names, addresses, occupation types, educational qualifications, skill types & family details for the optimum realization of their employability and extend the benefits of the social security schemes to them. The details of schemes implemented by the Government for the welfare of unskilled and skilled migrant workers in the country inter-alia include Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri SVANIDHI Scheme, Atma Nirbhar Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, One Nation, One Ration Card, financial assistance to building and other construction workers. The private sector should also come forward to empower workers and support them to live dignified lives.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)

Of turncoats

The turncoat Mira Borthakur has finally made it by securing Congress ticket for West Guwahati LAC. She started her political career with the RJD and then joined the BJP only to shift her loyalty to the Anchalik Gana Morcha. And finally her new address is Rajiv Bhawan. She has got a Congress ticket to fight the Assembly poll.

The case of Manjit Mahanta, who's at present the vice president of the Anchalik Gana Morcha, is contesting the Assembly election as a Congress candidate. I failed to understand what's wrong with the Congress. The party has fielded an unknown lady, Ashima Bordoloi, as East Guwahati candidate and Manjit Mahanta as Dispur candidate. Is the party thinking of giving walkover to the BJP in these three seats? In Dispur and West Guwahati, the Congress is fielding two persons from the Anchalik Gana Morcha. Are they running out of competent people? The party high command has done injustice to many dedicated people who have been working relentlessly for the party.

Another interesting aspect which has come to our notice is that out of four founder members of the Anchalik Gana Morcha three members' dream has come true. Ajit Kumar Bhuyan has already played the trump card by becoming a Rajya Sabha MP, Manjit Mahanta and Mira Borthakur getting Congress party tickets. Only Lachit Bordoloi has been left high and dry (though he aspired to contest from Batadrava but was denied ticket by the Mahagathbandhan)

Purabi Miri,

Jakhalabandha.

'Right candidates'

The people of Assam are politically aware enough. They will definitely vote by judging the qualifications of the candidates. In the 2021 Assembly elections, only a candidate with a transparent and unblemished image will win. There are plenty of political parties in the state, so it will be difficult to vote as a party. Of course, the people of Assam will vote on the basis of candidates' character, personality, educational qualifications, contribution to the society, etc. Unfortunately, the ruling party has not observed any precedence on such grounds and issues in awarding tickets to candidates. But educated citizens can be expected to respond appropriately. However, in this Assembly elections, there is a fierce contest between the Mohajote and the Mittrajote. Which alliance party will get public support?

We hope that the electoral politics of the State will be free from corruption. And we also hope that the people of Assam will continue to democratize the country through voting.

Heramba Nath,

Kamrup

Priorities and promises

Nowadays all political parties make various promises to woo voters. Political parties are also trying their best to woo young and first-time voters. Primary expectations from the next government are safety of women, development of basic infrastructures and political accountability. First-time voters want a government that will lay emphasis on real issues rather than selling 'unreal and impossible' ideas. All first-time voters should remain alert so that they are not influenced by vested interests.

Putul Sarma,

Bamgaon, Biswanath Chariali

Coalition government:

Is it a success story?

A coalition government is a phenomenon that joins hands or forms an alliance to run the government. In India it is suitable because of the nation's diversities in terms of physical regions, population, aspirations, culture etc. Coalition politics in India started in late 1970s, but came into existence in the late 1980s. Indian political parties have been fragmented over the years on ideological issues. Therefore, theorizing coalition politics essentially underlines plurality, complexity and vastness of India.

A coalition government has its own merits and demerits. When a coalition government is formed the following advantages are witnessed.

l Better representation of diverse ideas

l Serving the nation or state well

l In a coalition government of regional party, the regional demands are taken care of

l The system becomes more democratic and power concentration comes under check, and

l Voters have more than one choice.

It also has negative effects, such as

l It leads to horse-trading.

l Defection takes place after the election is over.

l Parties resort to unethical means. The parties offer critical government ministries in exchange of support. Sometimes the Minister's merit does not align with the demand of the ministry.

l It gives rise to money and muscle politics.

l Cobbling up a coalition requires these factors. Many a time it has been seen that parties withdraw support when some ludicrous demands are met.

Indian politics has therefore made a full-fledged foray into the world of coalitions. Therefore, hung parliament and hung Assembly has become the norm. But coalition governments can truly represent the aspirations of citizens. It will be a successful experiment when a coalition is formed on ideological congruity and not for vested interests. But the coalition government concept has a long way to cover. With the increasing role of regional parties, the experiment will become more challenging.

Nabamallika Bordoloi,

(nabamallikabordoloi564@gmail.com)

Violation of

Covid protocol

It was very shocking that spectators who came to watch the T20 cricket match between India and England at Ahmedabad stadium indulged in blatant violation of Covid-19 protocols. There was zero compliance regarding the maintenance of physical distance and majority of them were not wearing masks. Criminal proceedings should be initiated against the organizers for putting so many lives at risk.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog