M A I L B A G

Axing of trees: No end to human greed

THE news-item “200 trees axed in Gurgaon Park” (April 14) is unfortunate. A tree is worth Rs 32 lakh (1988 prices). There is need to wage a war on the felling of trees. The ecological system is bound to give in under the pressure of industrial growth and human greed.

Whenever a civilisation has ignored ecology and environment, it has not survived. The civilisations of Nile, Greece, Syria, Mohenjodaro and Harappa were ruined because of the neglect of environment.

Noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna states that the issue is no more development and environment but that of survival or extinction. Mahatma Gandhi rightly remarked as far back as 1924: “Ecology and economy have common roots which need to be nursed by proper education — education that covers all aspects of human development and its survival”.

It has now become critical for everyone to be environmentally literate to be able to understand and systematically evaluate the cause and effect of economic development and growth which also results in the degradation of our surroundings, especially the eco-environment. The present education system does not attach much importance to environment. The people should understand the importance of environment in maintaining the ecological balance. A civil or structural engineer, for instance, should not only have sound knowledge of his discipline but also its social and environmental cost in the right perspective.

Dr G.S. BHALLA and ABHAY JAIN, GND University, Amritsar

Rooting out corruption

H.K. Dua’s article “Conspiracy of silence: Politicians are comfortable with corruption” (April 8) is timely. The hapless voter is definitely at crossroads to whom to vote. The major reason for the societal ills is the indifference of the intellectuals who could provide a direction to society on many an issue facing the nation, be it corruption, terrorism or communal harmony. The intellectual inertia must end. The literates amongst us should sincerely interact with society through the media and conduct meetings to spread awareness among people.

Let The Tribune initiate a regular public debate on various issues confronting society and offer solutions to the problems we face and let the leaders and their parties be weighed upon that scale only. If leaders and political parties don’t mend their ways to end corruption in public life, the bureaucracy cannot be expected to come clean on the issue of corruption.

B.B. Goyal, Ludhiana

II

Unfortunately, the common man continues to face hardship because of the corrupt officialdom. He can’t get any work done in any office without greasing the palms of the babus.

However, this menace can be tackled effectively, given the necessary will. The judiciary and the media can be the saviours of the common man. They can show and lead us to the path of good governance.

Efforts should be made to evolve an in-built administrative mechanism to tackle the evil of corruption. This should devise ways and means to achieve good governance, inter alia, through organising public debates and workshops from time to time.

MANJIT SINGH, Chandigarh

PAN problem

On July 1, 2003, the Income-Tax Department has authorised the Unit Trust of India to make Permanent Account Number (PAN) for the new assesses. The UTI has promised to despatch the PAN numbers within 15 days.

However, even after four months, the assessees have not received the same. PAN cards should be sent to the UTI agents directly so that they will have them delivered to the assessees.

Why are the authorities insisting on the house proof document or certificate? Some people have migrated and are unable to submit the same.

The Tatkal service has not yet been started by the company. The UTI should immediately release the list so that the assessees are relieved of avoidable hardslip.

ADESH AGNIHOTRI, Tarn Taran