M A I L B A G

Keep sports away from politics

THE editorial “That’s not cricket” (Sept 28) aptly analyses the interference of political leaders, even in the field of sports, unmindful of its resultant damage. How long would we keep on struggling with the corrupt set-up before reaching the playground?

Many would recall that our hockey team under the captaincy of Mr Ajitpal Singh could win the World Cup two decades ago. The then Punjab Chief Minister, the late Giani Zail Singh, supervised the training-cum- selection process at Chandigarh. The team was not selected at NIS, Patiala, with a view to keeping political interference at bay. How long would we take to appreciate that national dignity is more precious than individual goals? Would we ever mature?

M.P.S. CHADHA, Chandigarh

B.B. NAGPAL, Ludhiana

Going down memory lane While reading Syed Nooruzzaman’s middle “A narrow escape” (Sept 18), I recollected my experience in 1947 when the joint Punjab government asked its employees to opt for Punjab East or West to continue in service. I was then working as the Rice Inspector at Sheikhupur, Nankana Sahib District. We, Hindu and Sikh employees, unanimously decided to continue in West Punjab. Our emotional attachment prompted us to opt for our homeland. Following the Partition riots, I left Nankana Sahib on foot and reached Ferozepur on September 30, 1947. Our dreams to continue in West Punjab with our families there were thus shattered. Even in my service book, this remark was inserted: “Fled away to India”. However, with the passage of time, hatred diminished and a spirit of brotherhood prevailed among the people of both Punjabs. When I visited Nankana Sahib in 1959, I was given a warm reception. Let wise counsel prevail on both sides of the Line of Control. LAL SINGH SAINI, Joint Director, Food and Supplies (retd), Kapurthala

Questionable role

Apropos of the report “Centre, State lock horns over projects” (Sept 9), it is surprising how the Chairman-cum- Managing Director of the Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVM) is issuing such orders as repatriation of HPSEB employees. The Himachal government should take serious note of such orders.

The CMD should not forget the fact that the state government is a partner in the SJVN, a joint venture of the state and the Centre. The HPSEB employees have played a very significant role in bringing the 1,500-MW Nathpa Jhakri Project to its present stage of production.

It would be in the fitness of things if the government took over the Nathpa Jhakri Project by adjusting the Government of India equity from the revenue earned from the project. It is said that the SJVN had been spending about Rs 13 crore annually on footing the wage bill of the surplus staff. One fails to understand why the SJVN raised an army of more than 600 employees. Why can’t this staff be declared as surplus and dealt with accordingly?

Er C.L. GUPTA, Chief Engineer (retd), Jaidevi (Mandi)

Minister sans portfolio

Will someone let me know the duties of a Minister without portfolio at the Centre and in the states? Applying the principle of “no work, no pay”, why are salary and perks enjoyed by the Minister without portfolio?

Dr JASBIR SINGH TALWAR, Jalandhar

Bad roads

I request BBMB Chairman Rakesh Nath to improve the maintenance of roads in Nangal Township. All the main roads in BBMB colony are in bad shape. The road between Main Market and Bhakra Road near the railway line is particularly very bad. Most accidents are caused because of these bad roads. The local BBMB authorities may not take any initiative. Hence this appeal through The Tribune.

ANUJ THAKUR, Nangal Township

Nabha seed scam

The news-item regarding seed scam at Nabha, first of its kind in the history of Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, is a matter of concern. As farmers have been duped and cheated, the Punjab government should order a thorough probe. Those guilty should be brought to book to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future.

R.S. GILL, Advocate, Muktsar