sentinelgroup@gmail.com
Pay property tax on time
The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and the mayor have urged citizens to pay their property taxes by March 31 to avoid hefty penalties. While citizens have a responsibility to clear their dues on time, there seems to be a major glitch in the system. The GMC and the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) are meant to be service providers to the people, ensuring essential services such as 24 x 7 potable water, good air quality, proper footpaths, public toilets, parks, playgrounds for children, and libraries, etc. They also have the duty to maintain cleanliness and reduce dust pollution in the city. However, the key question remains: Are they fulfilling these responsibilities as required? The answer is a resounding no.
Last year, the GMC raised property taxes by a staggering 400%, and yet, there was no significant public protest. Indeed, in the 16 years that have passed, the GMC/GMDA has failed to provide a consistent water supply to the citizens through the established piping system. Guwahati's water table has reached critically low levels due to unchecked groundwater extraction. As a result, many residents are forced to rely on private water suppliers, leading to a booming private water business in the city. Unfortunately, people are often unaware of the quality of water they are consuming. It may contain harmful substances such as arsenic, lead, and cobalt, which pose serious health risks.
In light of the above, it is clear that the theory of a "give and take" policy should be applied. Citizens fulfil their duties, such as paying taxes, but in return, they must receive the essential services they are entitled to. Regrettably, the GMC is currently operating like a one-way street, where citizens are expected to give without receiving adequate service in return. This imbalance needs urgent attention.
Prafulla Dowarah
Guwahati
Farm mechanization approach
It is indeed a matter of serious thought that farmers in Assam and other states in the Northeast still insist on manual labour on their fields in this age of technology and the digital era, which has deprived them of increasing productivity and production. Though there is easy access to farm credits, small and marginal farmers cannot afford to adopt mechanised farming due to the high cost of machinery items, while getting remunerative prices for their output also greatly influences such a huge investment.
The shortage of farm labour on account of agricultural distress has not only compounded the problem of farm mechanisation but also made traditional and non-mechanised farming practices much more challenging and commercially unviable. The editorial 'Comprehensive approach to farm mechanisation' published in your esteemed daily on March 6 has said that the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has provided support to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), and Panchayats with a higher rate of financial assistance for the establishment of Farm Machinery Banks (FMB) at village level to make them available to small and marginal farmers on a rental basis from the FMBs, which is no doubt praiseworthy. But the problem arises in achieving 75 percent farm mechanisation from the present level of 47 percent in the country in a much shorter period than the set target of 25 years by the Ministry of Agriculture, which is a matter of serious challenge in accelerating the pace.
Moreover, the inadequacy of skilled manpower for the operation, repair, and maintenance of agricultural machinery is another area of major challenge. Unless the State Agriculture Department takes the initiative for the establishment of more cold storages in the public sector and makes storage spaces easily available at affordable prices for small and marginal farmers to prevent distress selling and other investments, farm mechanisation will remain a distant dream. It is true that in view of climate change impacts, we need to encourage our farmers to adopt farm mechanisation, which is the only suitable alternative to ensure increasing production and minimizing harvest losses. The central and state governments need to make a combined effort to launch a farm mechanisation revolution in every nook and corner by addressing associated problems on a priority basis, which is extremely essential to give succour to the farmers for whom farming is a primary livelihood avenue while transforming the agriculture sector from subsistence farming to commercial scale.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
Timeless appeal of humour
The editorial, "Humour, the elixir of life: Instances of fun and wit among legends," authored by Gautam Ganguly in your esteemed publication, beautifully captures the universal and timeless appeal of humour by sharing engaging anecdotes, be it politics, literature, or sports. Humour is the balm that perhaps lightens the gravest situations and also offers new perspectives. It's a delightful read with a powerful message that a dose of laughter can be the best remedy to our increasingly complex world.
Avishek Dutta
New Delhi
International Women’s Day
International Women's Day is a global event celebrated by women on the 8th of March every year. The main focus of celebrations on Women's Day ranges from general celebration of respect and appreciation towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political, and social achievements. The day is an occasion to honour and praise women for their accomplishments.
The theme for International Women's Day this year is "For all women and girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment." This year's theme calls for action to unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for women and a feminist future where everyone is treated equally.
Jubel D'Cruz,
(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)