Letters to the Editor: Online shopping

Online shopping has acquired a new sense of urgency in the post-Covid-19 pandemic scenario primarily due to its contactless characteristic. The ease of the mobile apps developed by the various online players has accelerated its adoption among the young and also the not-so-young folks. Apart from convenience, heavy discounts are another temptation that mainly drives volumes in this online marketplace. However, my experience with this medium of purchase, particularly of groceries and other necessities, is bitter, to say the least. During the peak of the ongoing pandemic, I had ordered groceries online. On three occasions, either the order was cancelled or partially delivered, apart from delayed delivery in respect of orders which were delivered. On one occasion, the date of delivery was postponed multiple times only to be cancelled eventually. The refunds for the non-delivered items were also delayed (without adding any interest to the principal) making us out of funds for several days, whereas they enjoyed our funds.

I then switched to another big name expecting a better and smooth experience considering their aggressive promotions on online shopping. Here too, my experience was no different. The differentiator here is that my orders were cancelled when I complained about their Customer Care after waiting for several days for the elusive daily necessities.

Another common problem to both these online portals is the inability of the delivery boys to locate the destination leading to incessant telephone calls to the buyer asking for repeated directions to locate the house. This is due to their vehicles being not equipped with the GPS (Global Positioning System) devices unlike the Ola, Uber, Pe India etc.

The common masses depended on these virtual markets during these difficult times when venturing out was a risky affair. But these two retail giants failed to deliver literally. Even now, when the situation has improved and everything is almost back to normal, these two retail online marketplaces have failed to fulfil the orders placed by customers, particularly relating to groceries and other household goods. Ironically, many of the misses happened during their sale-campaign periods when discounts are doled out to woo the customers.

Therefore, the government must launch a site/portal where aggrieved consumers can seek redress for their grievances against the online shopping marketplaces. As citizens are embracing virtual markets -- either out of compulsion or convenience or cost reasons -- there should be adequate safeguards and checks and balances to curb the whimsical functioning of the online market players.

Rajib Sarma,

Guwahati

ED files chargesheet

It's a good news that the ED (Enforcement Directorate) on Friday (December 17) filed a chargesheet against the apprehended former Chairman of APSC (Assam Public Service Commission) Rakesh Kumar Paul and his wife Sunanda Paul at the Special Judge's Court, Guwahati. It was also stated in the new chargesheet that earlier 11 more chargesheets had already been filed by Dibrugarh Police against Paul and other accused in the related graft case of illegal recruitment of candidates through the APSC examinations on payment of bribes. We hope that in the interest of the public, a speedy trial will be held. All the accused must be meted exemplary punishment.

It has come to light that Rakesh Paul was the Chairman of the APSC between 2012 and 2019. He was arrested in 2016. But, he was allowed to officially stay as the Chairman of APSC for a few more years even when he was in incarceration. The APSC Chairman is appointed for a term of six years or up to the time when he/she attains sixty-two years of age. Why was an arrested accused allowed to overstay in that position beyond the mandatory period of six years?

Unemployment is a burning issue. Though the job seekers are striving for respectable jobs yet the fraudulent recruitment process has dashed the dreams of many genuine candidates. Why were the Government agencies unaware of the thriving racket for many years in the recruitment body? Only a timely handling can prevent further damage.

The Government must remain vigilant on the recruitment agencies. Effective monitoring must be done to usher a transparent and credible recruitment system. Yours etc;

Pannalal Dey

Guwahati

Condemable acts

The way -- not once but twice, a first at the Golden Temple in Amritsar -- when a man allegedly barged into the inner sanctum, where Sikhism's holy book -- the 'Guru Granth Sahib' is kept. The 'Guru Granth Sahib' is not just the holy scripture of their religion but it is also regarded as the living 'Guru'. They treated the holy book with respect). The man then grabbed a ceremonial sword placed next to the book. But, he was overpowered by the guards and worshippers; and he was beaten to death for the 'sacrilege' attempt. Less than 24 hours later, another man was beaten to death by Sikhs accusing him of sacrilege after he allegedly tried to remove the Sikh flag the 'Nishan Sahib' from a gurdwara in Kapurthala. No doubt, both the sacrilege attempts are condemnable. But it's more heartbreaking when there was no words of condemnation from the former Punjab CM (Chief Minister), Captain Amrinder Singh or the present CM -- Charanjit Singh Channi to the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) chief to the Akal Takht Jathedar (or custodian of the Akal Takht.

The 'Akal Takht' is one of five 'takhts' (seats of power) of the Sikhs. It is located in the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar, Punjab, India.

But it was more stunning when political leadership across the spectrum and government officials have all denounced the attempt at sacrilege and called for a thorough probe. These are indications that elections are knocking at the door and the political leaders of all the parties are measuring their words on an issue that is seen to be emotive in a State where religion segues into politics seamlessly, and sometimes in precarious ways. It's a pity that we are living in a country where the government and political leadership of the State have no courage to call 'lynching' by its name; even those men beaten to death for the 'sacrilege' attempt is no value for vote bank.

Yours truly,

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee

Faridabad-121005