M A I L B A G

Opposition must not boycott Parliament

H.K. Dua’s article “Sight of the tainted: Boycotting Parliament is also a disservice” (April 30) exposing political hypocrisy ought to be frightening. But “taint” having become a part of the system in the absence of effective steps by successive governments to arrest the menace, it is being tolerated.

Mr Dua has ably translated the views, feelings and aspirations of the people. But these are mostly of dormant intelligentsia. What matters for political parties to form governments is the vote bank, mainly of the poor. They are lured by money, caste considerations and/or frightened by criminals with political clout.

As crime and corruption are inter-related, people should accept the twin evils in a given political situation, knowing full well that these are a threat to our polity. No new laws are needed. Electoral reforms are the only remedy.

S.D. BALI, Chandigarh

II

Opposition MPs should strive for the good of the nation and not sabotage the functioning of Parliament by boycotting it on any issue. The problem of tainted ministers will be solved once the political parties decide against giving tickets to tainted persons or those with criminal background.

What will the members achieve by boycotting Parliament? Admittedly, the solution does not lie in preaching or blame game. There is need for serious introspection.

GURDERSHAN SINGH, 
Chandigarh

III

Criminalisation of politics must stop. However, after being elected as MP or MLA, there should be no bar on the member to become a minister, unless he/she is convicted by the court. There is no doubt that coalition compulsions have forced Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his predecessor, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to include tainted members in their ministries.

SHER SINGH, Ludhiana

IV

The presence of tainted ministers in the Manmohan Singh government and the NDA’s boycott of Parliament on the issue have corroded Parliament and raised questions about the efficacy of the parliamentary system of government. Who will check the rapid decline of Parliament?

Mr Dua’s suggestion that the political parties should try to weed out the criminal and the corrupt is the need of the hour. This alone will revalidate our great democratic institution. The sooner it is done, the better.

HANS RAJ JAIN, Moga

V

Mr Dua’s article rightly emphasises that lawbreakers should not be made lawmakers. Recent developments bear testimony to this. I neither support the presence of tainted members in the Manmohan Singh government nor the Opposition’s boycott of Parliament on this issue. What we witness today is a mockery of democracy at the cost of the taxpayers’ money.

We need to take some hard steps to save democracy from the hands of our politicians who are working against the national interest. If members don’t perform their duties, people should teach them a lesson in the elections.

KISHAN SINGH, Bathinda

VI

To expect any sanity and meaningful consensus from the present lot of politicians (read criminals, rogues and the corrupt) is really asking for the moon. As a matter of fact, a consensus already exists, that is to put the lid firmly over this burning issue.

Wg-Cdr RAVI BEDI (retd),
Jodhpur (Rajasthan)

VII

What to talk of progress and development, no nation can even survive if the rulers and the leaders put themselves before the country. Our leaders should learn to behave. Otherwise, it will be too late. The future of the world’s largest democracy is at stake. God save India!

C.R. JINDAL, Chandigarh

VIII

Mr Dua has rightly condemned the irresponsible conduct of our MPs. I endorse his view that coalition politics has paved way for political blackmail of the government by small allies. Things can improve only if the criminals are banned from contesting the elections.

The article has done a great service to public discourse by generating public opinion against the misconduct of our chosen representatives.

Prof KAMLESH UPPAL, Patiala

IX

I agree with Mr Dua that a consensus among all political parties is needed to restore order in Parliament. They should sit together and explore ways to keep the criminals and the corrupt out of the representative institutions. The NDA will not achieve anything by boycotting Parliament. Find solutions to the tainted ministers’ issue on the floor of the House, not outside.

SUBHASH C. TANEJA, Rohtak

Savings in revenue For cash investment in post office savings schemes up to Rs 50,000, ten receipts for Rs 5,000 each are issued. If the same investment is made by cheque, only one receipt is issued. The postal authorities can save the avoidable expenditure on cash receipts. Punjab alone spends crores of rupees on printing these receipts. Cash receipts serve little purpose as the commission is paid to the agent on the spot. Like cheque payment, a consolidated receipt will serve the purpose of the Postal department. Besides, it will be economical. The saved amount can be utilised by the department for other development or emergency works. HARI RAM SINGLA, Ludhiana

Officers’ promotion

According to reports, some Himachal Pradesh police officers of the rank of AIG/DIG, are reeling under stagnation though they fulfil all the eligibility conditions for the higher ranks and have also been cleared for promotion by the Department Promotion Committee (DPC).

The officers concerned should be given their due without any further delay. Inordinate delay in promotions would breed frustration and demoralisation among the officers.

TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)

Teaching shops

Every year a good number of new private public schools come up in the state. These teaching shops do not have proper infrastructure and qualified teachers and play with the students’ future. Norms regarding infrastructure and staff are seldom followed.

Though these schools cannot be closed due to public pressure, the government can postpone recognition or affiliation of these schools till such time they meet all the requirements of a good school. This is one way of ensuring that these teaching shops do not dupe parents and students.

Er RAJ K. AGGARWAL,
Kotkapura