What should the next government be like: Letters to The Editor

After the Assembly election results, the stage is set for the formation of a new government in Assam. Since independence, many political parties have come to power and gone in the State. When it comes to solving long-term and short-term problems in the State, no party can claim a hundred per cent success. Apart from the day-to-day problems that the people of the State have to confront, a few new problems have cropped up. Besides solving problems like price rise, infrastructure bottlenecks etc., the government to be formed at Dispur will also have to ensure food security, clothing, education, healthcare, housing and whatnot. Along with these, the list of issues demanding attention like citizenship, big dam, unemployment etc., is too long. The government to be installed at Dispur has to gain the trust of the masses about the measures that they have to take and their outcomes, towards these worries.

The vexed issue of foreigners in Assam; the impact that is feared to have on the language, literature, culture and ethnicity of Assam in the event of the implementation of the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) are likely to be really hard nuts to crack for the government in the making at Dispur. But then, it is imperative on the part of the government to address all such issues.

Over the years, we have seen the repeated loss of life and property downstream of the Kopili and the Subansiri rivers. Companies are erecting mega-dams to generate electricity on the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The harsh reality, however, is that villagers downstream such dams have to bear the brunt of flash floods due to sudden release of water, often without prior information. All such issues demand an iron hand to tackle. Such issues, if allowed to linger, will only have their offshoots and complicate the situation further. Above all, joblessness has long been the mother of many problems in the State, including insurgency. Assam needs a government that can hold the bull by the horn when it comes to solving problems.

Paban Ali Saikia,

MP Book Stall,

Ganeshguri, Guwahati-6

Victory for BJP-led alliance

By winning the Assembly elections, the BJP-led alliance has got an opportunity to form the government again in the State. People have voted the BJP-led alliance to power in the hope that it will develop the State economically, solve problems and correct its past mistakes. Even though the BJP-led alliance has got people's support, the indigenous people are not happy with some of the policies of the alliance government. Particularly, the indigenous people feel that the BJP-led alliance government should oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, and it should pursue the Centre not to implement the Act in the State. Because the CAA will facilitate several lakhs of Bangladeshi people to settle permanently in Assam, and their settlement will be a big burden for the State. Moreover, the indigenous people want the government to deport the foreign nationals that entered Assam after March 24, 1971. Again, the indigenous people want the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

Numerous important works await completion in Assam. The BJP-led alliance government has to create jobs for the unemployed youths, revive closed industries and take measures to control floods and erosion. Good governance in Assam is a must.

Maheswar Deka,

Rangia.

Frequent road

accidents in Lokhra

Through your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the authority concerned with frequent road accidents in the Lokhra area. Condition of roads, infringement of traffic rules, drunken driving, stunts by the youths, overloading trucks, dumpers etc., are the reasons responsible for the road accidents. Drinking and driving must not go together. But unfortunately, it is a repetitive spectacle in our area. Almost 50 per cent of the accidents are caused due to drunken driving. A lot of accidents are also caused due to reckless driving and violation of traffic rules. Nowadays, it has become a fashion for the youths to do stunts with their bikes and cars that lead to several accidents. The deplorable condition of roads is also a reason for the accidents. The authority concerned is requested to look into this matter and take the necessary steps.

Bhitali Das,

Guwahati.

Stop silencing people

It is welcome to note that the Supreme Court of India has warned the government authorities to stop silencing people who are raising grievances on the internet. The Court has been clear that any attempt to clampdown on the free flow of information on social media, including calling for help from people, would be treated as contempt of court. The Centre, States, and Police do not take any action against anyone who is posting messages on social media about issues like shortage of oxygen, beds, or doctors. The Court's direction came after some States were attempting to harass people. The need of the hour is that State governments should build grievance redressal mechanisms for COVID-related complaints and facilitate people to fulfil their emergency medical needs. This can be the right way to deal with this global pandemic.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)

Unsafe high buildings

On 28th April, the State witnessed the biggest earthquake post-1950 when the Richter scale touched 6.7. The magnitude of the shake was so massive that it caused widespread damage to properties in central and lower Assam. Guwahati experienced widespread damage. Many shopping malls, residential apartments, 4-star to 5-star hotels were damaged. Assam is in a seismic zone so naturally, the probability of an earthquake is higher. It is questionable that how come builders acquired permission to build multi-storeyed buildings (7 storeys plus). The easiest option of greasing the palms of the department concerned was taken by the greedy builders. Now coming to Taj Vivanta, witnessed massive damage (pictures being circulated on social media). It is assumed that the luxurious 5-star hotel was built using the best of technology and materials, then how come so many walls of the hotel fell like a pack of cards. Of course, it is accepted that the magnitude of the earthquake was big but still 6.4 on the Richter shouldn't be enough to damage the structure of a hotel like Taj Vivanta. The contractors should be brought to the books. Secondly, Guwahati has become a concrete city due to the construction of so many residential apartments and a majority of them violate the prescribed norms of the department concerned. Apart from that, the quality of the construction and materials used are of the lowest quality. This earthquake should be an eye-opener for the general public.

Pratuljyoti Buragohain,

Guwahati.

Consequences of Coronavirus

The second wave of Coronavirus is at its alarming rate in India with 3 lakh plus new cases daily. The rate of positive cases and deaths is increasing rapidly. Our country is going through a serious situation where there is shortage of oxygen cylinders, insufficiency of emergency beds and as a result, people are losing their lives without getting proper treatment. In October 2020, the Government of India invited bids for 150 PSA oxygen plants but to date only 33 of them have been installed. The Government had enough time in their hands to get ready for the second wave, but instead of saving the lives of the people, we can see how they got involved in political rallies, public meetings and campaigns for their benefit without maintaining any COVID protocol. Elaborating on the deteriorating situation across the country, the Government is imposing lockdown and night curfews over some States, but it is seen that it will not be much effective as the number of COVID cases are increasing day by day. It is one of the greatest faults of the government that they didn't bother about it in the beginning. At the same time, there is also the fault of the public as they refused to wear masks and maintain social distance. After summing up all the merits and demerits in this period of the pandemic, it is seen that along with the responsibility of the government, it is also the duty of the common people to be aware of and follow all the rules and regulations imposed by the government.

Bhaskar Nath,

Guwahati.