Letters to the Editor: APDCL needs to answer!

I would like to draw the kind attention of M/s APDCL and the public at large. As per APDCL Revenue Bill dated 01/08/2022, my net bill (electricity) amount has been Rs 3379.00. I have been paying my electricity bill through net banking since long. As usual, this time too, I paid the bill through net banking on 12/08/22. However, it was shocking to see that APDCL charged rupees Rs 33 as 'convenience' and Rs 6.87 against 18 per cent GST. As such I had to pay additional amount of Rs 39.87. On the contrary, I found my neighbor who paid the bill without GST and convenience charges, remaining in the queue. Is this the new term 'convenience' added in digital payment? Or is this a punishment for going digital? APDCL needs to answer!

Here the moot question does arise, how long will consumers have to bear the brunt for mismanagement? If I am not wrong, our electricity charge Rs 7.15 per unit is the highest in the country. Besides, other charges like fixed charges, electricity duty are also levied in the bills. We don't know how far APDCL is going to go to hit us hard!

Prafulla Dowarah

Guwahati

U-turn babu

Nitish Kumar left the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) again and assumed leadership of the Mahagotbandhan (Grand Alliance) with Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress and took oath as the Bihar Chief Minister on August 10. With this latest volte-face Nitish Kumar ditched the BJP-led NDA for the third time on the bogey of secularism. His attachment to secularism is very superficial as he was longing for power and enjoyed camaraderie of BJP for greater part as Bihar Chief Minister for as many as five times. He may be given the sobriquet as 'U-turn babu', as he has not crossed over to Grand Alliance for any ideals and ideology but for unabashed opportunism.

Nitish Kumar who was facing credibility and governance shortcomings dug up issue of caste census so as to stoke caste-based politics. But the Centre opposed the move. The dispute has already reached the Supreme Court and the Central Government, while presenting its stand before the apex court, said that a census based on caste was difficult due to more than 4,000 castes. Besides, the same caste is known by different names in different regions and, not only this, the same caste is spoken of and written differently. The RJD demanded caste census to corner Nitish Kumar, with Congress too supporting it. Nitish Kumar felt helpless and supported the demand in chorus with his new allies i.e. RJD and Congress. So, personal interest drove him this time to jump the ship as it is a known fact that both the RJD and Congress top leadership are indicted in serious corruption charges in the ongoing court cases. Politics of opportunism survived over economic development and eradication of corruption from the polity.

Pannalal Dey

Guwahati.

Another feather in CM's cap

Recently TIMES NOW, a leading national English news channel of the nation, in a survey placed Prime Minister Narendra Modi head and shoulders above the rest of the aspirants for the PM's chair and placed our Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in 3nd spot behind Naveen Patnaik, CM of Odisha, as the most popular CM of the nation. It should send a clear message to Nitish Kumar, an eight-time CM of Bihar who allied with his bête noire Laloo Yadav and company to be in power, throwing all political decency and decorum to the wind. His recent attack on our CM should remind him that those living in glass houses are not supposed to throw stones at others. Bihar will continue to be on the wrong side of the news so long as the combo pack of Nitish Kumar and Laloo Yadav will be in power at Bihar. It is very apparent that these infamous leaders are digging their own grave politically. The survey made by TIMES NOW is yet another feather in our CM's cap. In fact, we are expecting more from our CM.

Lanu Dutt Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Har Ghar Tiranga

With the Har Ghar Tiranga programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the citizens to hoist the National Flag in their offices, educational institutions and households from 13th to 15th August this year. This step will go a long way in instilling patriotism and a sense of unity among the citizens of India. But at the same time, it has some drawbacks too. While people use the National Flag to show their patriotism, most of the people do not know how to show respect to the flag. In earlier years, we have seen that people throw away the paper flags a day after Independence Day. Even last year, some pictures went viral on social media that showed people using the National Flag to tie their sacks. Because of the increasing demand of the Flag, people even made square-size flags for their business, thereby violating the Flag Code. Patriotism cannot be date-specific. It is our duty to always respect the National Flag. Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I urge people to opt for flags made of cloth instead paper so that it can be folded and kept well when not hoisted.

Rimakshi Barman,

Cotton University.

Make it memorable

We celebrate Independence Day on August 15, and it's just a celebration for most of us. Many people celebrate Independence Day by singing and uploading patriotic songs and quotations on social media. Even in schools, we do the same. We teach our children to sing patriotic songs and stage an emotional play that shows patriotism. Of course, it enhances patriotism in young minds, but what about the next day? We see the National Flag of our country on the floor and in dustbins. Is it our love for our country? We must focus on our country's needs. It does not need patriotic songs or only one-day celebrations.

Jubel D'Cruz,

Mumbai.