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| Girls on their way to school. picture by S.H.Patgiri. |
Arunachal on way to 100% literacy
It is great news that the government of Arunachal Pradesh has taken steps to universalise elementary education and control the dropout rate in the state.
Although the literary rate in the state is quite encouraging with a record of 70 per cent of its population literate as compared to other northeastern states, the state has not been able to reach the magic target of cent per cent literacy.
This is largely because of the high dropout rate at the primary school level.
Most of these children are from villages and their parents are also illiterate, unaware about the importance of education.
Thus, the education department of the state should start counselling sessions and hold discussions with the parents and children and encourage them to continue with their studies.
This kind of endeavour, if taken up by the department, will go a long way in building a strong education system in the state.
Pinky Tage,
Itanagar
I would like to draw the attention of the employers? association of the tea industry. Almost 16,000 employees in the tea plantation of Assam ? clerical, medical and artisans ? have been suffering because of severe crunch. Employees of the tea industry receive poorer salaries than those who hold similar jobs in public as well as private sectors.
Assam produces nearly 54 per cent of the total Indian tea. But the tea industry is yet to take up proper measures for the betterment of their employees.
The last wage agreement elapsed on March 31, 2002. On the other hand, the price of essential commodities are soaring and the garden employees are finding it difficult to make both ends meet.
The employees are also yet to get their new payscale. Wage negotiation should be undertaken immediately to reduce the financial hardship of the tea staff. The tea market is now in a better position compared to last year.
So, I request the owners of the tea industry to take positive steps towards improving the plight of the staff.
Kanak Hazarika,
Panerihat, Udalguri
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi?s recent announcement that he would take personal interest in looking after the condition of the roads and bridges is a welcome gesture.
He also assured the state Assembly during the budget session for 2005-2006 that the repair of roads and bridges would be taken up in phases.
It is, however, unfortunate that the bridges and roads in Darrang district are in a deplorable condition. The department concerned is aware that the condition of the roads in this area (mainly from Mangaldoi to Bamonjuli and to Dimakusi, that is M.B. Road) is deplorable.
M.B. Road is a vital road, as it is used to bring coal from Bhutan and other essential goods.
We hope the concerned authorities will extend a helping hand in getting this road black-topped without any delay.
Since this area is one of the remotest corners of Assam, the people are totally cut off from the mainstream. I do hope that the government will undertake development work to help the people gain easy access to modern civilisation.
Bina Hazarika,
Tangla
After prolonged appeals from the local people of Goroimari and Pub-Chamaria mouza, the 30-bed healthcare centre at Hingimari Pukuripar in Chaigaon constituency was established in 2001.
It is the only healthcare centre in the Goroimari and Pub-Chamaria mouza area to be established since Independence.
Surprisingly, the centre is yet to be opened by the health department of Assam. As a result, the people of the area are living without basic medical treatment, even in this modern age. Yet the health department is maintaining pin-drop silence in this regard.
Though it has not been opened as yet, the furniture, iron gate, fan and other essential things at the newly set up health centre have been stolen and damaged due to lack of security.
Abdus Sanad Ali,
Baghmara
Inhabitants of Dasangre village in the South Garo Hills have submitted a petition to the deputy commissioner of the district, calling for a high-level inquiry into the collapse of the recently-constructed Dasangre RCC bridge.
The people and the border area development officials had sought the construction of the bridge in 2002. The money for the construction, estimated at Rs 720,000, was sanctioned in 2004 and work began soon after.
However, the bridge, that had been completed just over a month ago, has been found to be severely damaged and cracked and on the verge of collapse.
It is totally unsafe for plying of vehicles, especially those ferrying heavy goods.
I would request the district administration to order an inquiry and to book the culprits.
Bikash Yadav,
Tura
We do not find proper information on trade fairs or any such activity under the city column in The Telegraph northeast.
Please do highlight various such events ? when and where they are starting or where they are being held at present and till which date the events will continue.
L.M. Srivastava, vice-president,
Assam Roofing Limited, Bonda, Narangi, Guwahati
