M A I L B A G

The financial crisis in Punjab

THE issues raised by Mr Surinder Singla in his article “Punjab financial crisis” (December 30, 1999) are still timely to rescue the sinking financial boat of the state. Short of declaring a financial emergency, which may have its own ramifications, a consensus among the political parties to remedy the”crisis” should be the first step, as suggested by the writer. The consensus will give moral and political courage to the otherwise “weak” Chief Minister to take tough steps on the economic front.

The cutting of corners and doing away with the deadwood in the bureaucracy should also include the remedial measures. The expansion in the ministry, however, shows that the Chief Minister is oblivious of the financial crisis or is scared of embarking on a corrective course for fear of losing the so-called popular support.

The crisis has an invisible call for the opposition parties in Punjab. They should free themselves from the “opposition for opposition sake” syndrome, as in the case of the Kargil war. They should go to the people explaining them the critical and weak financial position of the state, and fight it out for the people and with the people. It is not a big battle that the Punjabis cannot win. What is lacking is the collective will.

B. S. THAUR
Panchkula

Calendar row & education

THE need for developing a calendar for academic holidays in the universities, schools, colleges, technical institutes, etc, has become a matter of necessity. Dr H.S. Rataul, Professor & Head (retd.), PAU, Ludhiana, has made a very valuable suggestion in his article “Varsities must have their own calendar,” published in The Tribune on 5-10-1999. He has very clearly mentioned the academic losses suffered by educational institutions because of the erratic pattern of holidays.

The government’s objectives and that of the academic institutions are different, and the controversy over the present calendar has further complicated the matter. Each event is being celebrated twice, and in the absence of educational institutions’ own holiday schedule, they have to fall in line with the government’s scheme. The suggestions made by Dr Rataul are based on his life-long experience in education and need serious consideration.

Too many unscheduled holidays cause educational loss. As the government calendar shows almost over 10 holidays during March, and, besides this, a few days will be added by the staff and the students so that they can make use of long weekends. How will studies be carried out? This is a serious problem which causes serious damage to education.

It is hoped that Vice-Chancellors, Directors and Principals will give a serious thought to the question and arrive at a consensus to bring out a pattern applicable to the educational institutions independent of the government schedule of holidays.

In this new millennium we need to reduce the number of holidays to improve the standard of education and to shed dependence on the government for every small thing. Educational institutions must show their existence by adopting their independent calendar for every academic year.

Major SINGH RANDHAWA
Ludhiana

Modernising the police

The Tribune report “Plan to update police force” (Jan. 20), quoting Mr. T.R. Mahajan, Director-General of Police, Himachal Pradesh, gives out that the state government has submitted to the Centre a Rs. 263 crore action plan for the modernisation of the police and the intelligence network, keeping in view the gathering “clouds of terrorism” on the state’s horizon/immediate neighbourhood. The proposed action plan envisages Rs. 11.70 crore for arms and ammunition, Rs 28 crore for strengthening the armed police, Rs. 2.41 crore for updating the intelligence network, Rs. 4 crore for security-related expenditure.

Besides, the action plan envisages a separate directorate for economic offences, a police commissioner for the capital city of Shimla, each SP to be assisted by two additional SPs, converting each police post into a full-fledged police station, etc.

Although fairly comprehensive, the action plan is silent on one vital point — the imperative need to bring about a radical attitudinal change in the police personnel so as to attune the sensitive force to the democratic temper of times and thus make it people-friendly. I do hope that Mr Mahajan is listening and that he would make an earnest bid to plug the loophole.

A word about remodelling the police station. To my mind, no effort should be spared to make the police station a “modern and efficient/effective” workplace, speaking in terms of equipment and facilities. But, above all, it must be staffed with “pleasant, sober and sympathetic” people who inspire public confidence. That way alone the badly-tarnished image of the police can be refurbished.

TARA CHAND
Ambota (Una)

Falling water-table

In his letter “Falling water-table” (The Tribune, Jan 18) the author complains that the engineering fraternity and the Institution of Engineers have remained as silent spectators to Mr S.P. Malhotra’s method for solving a burning problem facing the states of Punjab and Haryana.

As solving problems is an engineer’s second nature, such an aloofness is only to be regretted. It is more so if we remember that once upon a time, it was with the engineers ingenuity and skill that one of the finest irrigation systems of the world was constructed in the erstwhile Punjab.

One wonders why they have become so indifferent to their profession and why they have not come forward to help their governments groping in the dark for more than 20 years no light at the end of the tunnel.

And if Mr Malhotra’s method succeeds, it will be a fine example of coordinated efforts by various limbs of society for making progress; an individual conceives an idea and brings it before the public, a body of professionals scrutinises it and recommends it to the government thus taking a part of the load off its shoulders and making its task easier. This is in sharp contrast to the schemes where everybody depends upon the government for everything.

Over to the Institution of Engineers for earning the gratitude of the public by either stamping Mr Malhotra’s method as OK or coming forward with a better alternative for saving the tubewells.

BHAGWAN DASS
Faridabad

Age limit for govt jobs

The Haryana Government has raised the age limit to 40 years for entering into government service. I, therefore, request the Punjab Government also to raise the age limit to 40 years for entering into government service.

Punjab has seen a very long dark period. The state government should do so as a good gesture in the new millennium to the unemployed youth.

G. L. JOSHI
Brahmpur (Anandpur Sahib)