The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Saturday, July 6, 2002, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

M A I L B A G

It is a clear case of operation cover-up

True to its reputation The Tribune in its editorial by Hari Jaisingh has once again caught the bull by the horns. It successfully made the judiciary to reverse its decision earlier in wake of massive public opinion against a wrong judgement. This was possible singularly by that truthful and bold editorial by its editor. That time it was the judiciary, which still commands respect in public but this time The Tribune is up against politicians who command everything except respect.

The moving of key persons at a crucial stage is “operation cover-up” beyond an iota of doubt. This has shown the true face of politicians that they can never come off clean. Howsoever acute the pressure may have been on the CM, he should have resisted that or else he could have offered to resign instead of falling in line with the wrong-doers.

Despite having achieved a clear lead in the job-for-cash scam with full media support leading to a chain of arrests and touts spilling out the names of beneficiaries, suddenly the pace of investigations was slackened, creating doubts in the minds of people. Now all doubts stand cleared with the exposure of the ugly face of government. The stand of the Akalis about selective arrests, the use of Intelligence to browbeat them stands vindicated as the crusade against corruption is due to be abandoned when its heat was felt somewhere in the neighbourhood.

G. K. S. SIDHU, Barnala

CRUSADE DERAILED: Hari Jaisingh in his front-page editorial (June 29) has rightly characterised the sidelining of the top officers of the Intelligence Wing of the Punjab Government as an “Operation cover-up”. Captain Amarinder Singh’s crusade against corruption has received a severe jolt. This single act has undermined his credibility a great deal.

The Chief Minister’s justification of the transfer of top officers of the Intelligence Wing on the ground that there was a “clash of personalities” would convince none. The treatment has not been even handed as the officers of the Intelligence Wing alone have been penalised.

It seems that powerful vested interests in Punjab have succeeded in their game of derailing the investigations in the massive recruitment scam in Punjab. It is evident that Kuldeep Singh Bedi spilled the beans highlighting the involvement of some top functionaries of the state in the scam. The top officers of the Intelligence Wing who played an important role in exposing the scam have been hounded out to save some influential racketeers. Does it mean that the systematic high voltage campaign against corruption launched by Capt Amarinder Singh during electioneering in Punjab was only a clever tactical device to garner votes?

D. R. CHAUDHRY, MacLeodganj

LAW FOR COVER-UPS: Kudos to Hari Jaisingh for maintaining his crusade against corruption. Like the powers that be, he must be facing lurements and threats to downplay the issue of corruption in particular cases but the nation is proud of such people who do not buckle under such circumstances.

Of course corruption is a serious issue, which is plaguing the nation. But equally important is the issue of cover up exercises because these are pursued invariably in all cases. If we rationally think, then corrupt people are of course guilty but those involved in cover-up exercises are equally criminal. Therefore, it is the need of the hour that a law should be enacted that if any body is found involved in a cover-up exercise to shield the corrupt then he should be held guilty on equal terms and should be subjected to the same treatment as the corrupt person is getting in terms of arrest and trial.

Dr TIRATH GARG, Ferozepur

Media’s role

It was great reading another timely and bold editorial by Hari Jaisingh. Hopefully, the people of Punjab at the end will be able to see the judicious outcome of the PPSC scam investigations, if the Press stays vigilant enough. Of course, this process of getting to the truth will see many hurdles in the way, but if the CM of Punjab stays determined as he promised he would, and the media perform their duty in such an admirable way, then the meritorious but unemployed youth of Punjab could expect to see justice delivered and those guilty of committing wrongs will be held accountable.

GULSHAN SHARMA, Toronto

Blood donation

More than 70 lakh units of blood is the annual requirement in our country, but only 30 lakh units are collected. In Punjab we need about 1,25,000 units of blood annually, but only 56,000 units are collected. The hospitals of Chandigarh need 200 units a day but unfortunately only 100 units of blood are available. This shows that voluntary blood donation is the need of the day.

Educational institutions can play a very important role in this noble cause. Each educational institution and government/semi-government department must organise at least one blood donation camp in a year.

A chapter on blood donation should be included in the 10+2 syllabus. A mobile blood collection centre should be set up at the district level to organise blood donation camps on festivals and important days. A special campaign should be launched for motivating villagers. Employees should be encouraged to donate blood by giving some sort of benefits. A-wards for blood donation should be given at the state and national levels on the pattern of sports and other fields.

BAHADUR SINGH SUNET, Hoshiarpur