Erratic electricity supply: Letters to The EDITOR

Erratic electricity supply

These are times when the Chief Minister's assertion of 'Zero-Tolerance' to corruption is thrown to the wind, when the media show the ramshackle roads implying lack of interest of the state ruling dispensation in repairing the same and bridges, and yet, another ugly face surfaces. This time erratic electricity supply hits the people across the state.

For quite some time, the Upper Assam premier town Dibrugarh is reeling under erratic supply of electricity. The problem confronting the people of Dibrugarh vis-a-vis erratic supply of power has assumed a worse proportion for the past few days. There is no scheduled time for disrupting the supply of electricity as a result of which people are hard hit. The APDCL has no botheration as if causing inconvenience to the people is its right. Without any previous notice, if supply is disrupted, it takes the people by surprise resulting in disruption of all routine work like timely taking of bath, food etc. Above all, the World Cup Cricket (WCC) matches are going on for which many cricket lovers have been waiting for a long time. If supply of power is disrupted, it implies that cricket lovers are deprived of viewing their favorite teams performing in the World Cup Cricket. Obviously, there would be a sense of resentment among all section of people. We believe the department concerned should take appropriate steps to do away with the anomalies and ensure supply of nonstop power.

Ashok Bordoloi,

Dibrugarh.

Abolition of bank charges for RTGS and NEFT

Reserve Bank of India RBI has taken a practical step in the right direction by waiving bank charges for Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT). It is noteworthy that money transfer through cheque clearing costs much more to banks than electronic transfer of RTGS and NEFT. To further encourage cashless transactions, transaction charges on payments received through credit or debit cards should be totally abolished. Banks issuing credit cards can be compensated by government through funds saved by abolition of various incentives announced at time of demonetisation on November 8, 2016 like on purchase of petrol diesel through cards. It is also time to abolish penalty for not having some stipulated Minimum Balance in banks at a time when government encourages even zero-balance accounts.

Cashless-transactions can be further encouraged by imposing cash-withdrawal limit for individuals to say Rs 48,000 per month and by introducing seven-day working of all banks for twelve hours daily in two shifts by giving bank employees two weekly holidays by rotation like is being done even currently by some smaller banks of private-sector.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal,

1775 Kucha Lattushah,

Dariba, Chandni Chowk,

Delhi-110006.

Unhygienic condition of Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh has many places without drains and many with open drains. Mostly in sub lanes and narrow lanes, there is no drainage system. This creates a haven for mosquitos and health problems. Although the main roads have drains, most of the lanes do not. Also, proper hygiene is not maintained in the district. The Assam Medical College Road has garbage piled up. Some notable places in Dibrugarh where garbage are piled up are Seujpur, Durgabari, etc. There are no adequate dustbins. Also the municipality does not clean the garbage in most areas. There are places with open drain discharge such as in HS Road, GS Modi road etc. Even though the main roads have many drains built now, the potholes in roads due to improper construction causes huge problems for the people, mainly because of corruption of the contractors.

Hope that the authorities take part in solving the problems faced by people of Dibrugarh.

Ankur Borthakur,

Dibrugarh.