The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Saturday, May 12, 2001, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

M A I L B A G

Minority institutions

There have been reports that the SGPC’s educational institutions will be treated as minority institutions which will give these institutions all the privileges provided under Article 30 of the Constitution. Sikh students may get some benefits, but the staff working in these institutions shall be the sufferer. At present, the managing committees of recongnised and aided institutions cannot award a major punishment to an employee without the approval of the DPI. Then both the parties can approach the college or school tribunals. Those working in these institutions will lose this opportunity.

In Punjab, Hindus, Muslims and Christians are in a minority. Thus they can also claim the same status in the state. Such moves will lead to disintegration when unity and integration is our motive and that spirit is contained in our Constitution.

DALIP SINGH WASAN, Patiala

Backward step

Since 1986, the Irrigation and Public Health Department of Himachal Pradesh (which looks after the design and construction of water supply schemes in the state) has been designing rural water supply schemes on the basis of a supply of 70 litres per head per day.

Almost 80 per cent of the partially covered habitations have been provided with water supply under this norm. Recently, the HP Government decided to design rural water supply schemes on the norm of 40 litres per head per day. The rural areas of the state have been clamouring for more facilities and even subsidies are being given for the construction of flush latrines. If the schemes are designed on the basis of 40 litres per head per day, no private connection can be given in any of these water supply schemes. Even the department had requested an upward revision of the water supply norm to 100 litres per head per day.

The Finance Department almost doubled the rates of water supply recently and now the IPH Department has decided to supply water at a reduced level.

The Chief Minister and the I & PH Minister should review this decision and look ahead instead of looking back.

ANAND SAGAR, Kangra

A test for politicians

It is common knowledge that there is a shortage or officers in the Indian Army. Every politician who applies for any party ticket to contest election to a state assembly or Parliament should be required to file an affidavit that he has enrolled at least one of his wards in the Army, Navy or Air Force. Thus the patriotism of these persons will also be tested. The Constitution and the Election Law may be suitably amended.

D. P. JAIN, Ludhiana

Welcome move

The Tribune report “Decision on police ranges after debate” (May 2), says that the Himachal Pradesh Government will hold in abeyance its order scrapping three posts of Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) at the divisional or range level and that a final decision on the subject will be taken only after discussing the issue with the Director-General of Police and other senior officers of the department. This is a welcome development.

The DIG is an important functionary under the pyramidical police set-up. He oversees a compact area (four districts), the working of the sensitive department, and also acts as a friend, philosopher and guide to the police chiefs in the districts. This key post can be abolished only at the cost of smooth functioning of the police department.

The step will not pass muster even as an economy measure. Economising at the cost of efficient functioning of the law-enforcing department will be a bad bargain.

TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)