Pot calling the kettle black: Letters to The EDITOR

Pot calling the kettle black

Since the time of the British, with the increase in the number of tea-gardens, the tea labourers were diplomatically exploited by the British. This policy of the British was aimed at weakening the financial status of the hapless labourers so that they should always be obedient and under the beck and call of the British. Prevalence of preparing country-liquor was in vogue without any let and hindrance. In fact, the tradition is still kept alive during the successive governments in the centre since independence. But a good sign also surfaces as good number of garden labourers starts realizing the efficacy of education. Nevertheless, myriad of tea labourers after their hard work during the day prefer to take country liquor. Some unscrupulous elements preparing such liquor takes recourse to mixing spurious (toxic) ingredients for financial gain little caring for the lives of those who would take it. As a result, we come across news about the death of more than 100 people by taking these toxic liquor shattering even national records. Jorhat and Golaghat district broke the all-time record with the death of 124 persons. (Death-toll increasing at every passing minute). As usual, the political parties with different hues congregate to take political mileage of the issue. The blame game starts and our ex-Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi blames BJP for augmenting the state exchequer only. It sounds like the pot calling the kettle black.

Again, we all know that whenever a new government is installed, there is always a scramble among the would be ministers to get some lucrative portfolio, the state Excise department is one. The state Excise department officials far from doing any fruitful job work with the sole intention of nestling their own house. A cursory view on their properties can vouch our contention. Certain departments of Assam government prove to be 'Non-performer' (white elephant). The Assam Excise is one of them. Our language falls short to express our bereavement for those who fall an easy prey to the unscrupulous elements who prepare the toxic liquor.

Ashok Bordoloi,

Dibrugarh.