M A I L B A G

Strikes have done more harm than good

You have rightly expressed in your editorials the anguish of our countrymen over the Airports Authority of India (AAI) employees’ strike which has ended. The strike was against the modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports in collaboration with the private sector.

It is only due to the efforts and participation of the private sector that the boom in IT has put the Indian economy on the world map. The government is pursuing reforms in every sector but the unionised employees and self-interested persons are putting hurdles to make it a failure. Corruption and indifferent attitudes have destroyed the public sector over the years.

Strike had been a successful tool during the freedom struggle but with the changed scenario, it has lost its sheen. The right to strike should be scrapped.

The government should not succumb to pressure tactics and should go ahead with its reforms. Countrymen will fully support the government for such bold steps.

C.R. JINDAL, Chandigarh

II

While visiting other countries, one always admires the excellent facilities available at the airports. The cleanliness is amazing and service excellent. Whenever I have landed at Delhi, all the excitement and joy of visiting other countries vanished in a sense of disgrace. Here most of the times, even a basic facility like trolley is not available. There are no soaps in the toilets, which are dirty.

Even a small country like Thailand has an airport that is much bigger and beautiful. You want to have the manpower of your choice, but you cannot due to obsolete labour laws and trade unions. Give them money and not work is their motto. The government should not bend.

R.K. GUPTA, Chandigarh

III

The government wants to make New Delhi and Mumbai airports world-class and passenger-friendly. This could have taken place without privatisation.

HITEST JHANGIANI, New Delhi

Mukerian project

Power generation in the Mukerian Hydel Power House stopped due to the chronic problem at the tail-end of the channel (The Tribune, Jan 23). As a result, the government will lose crores of rupees. Unfortunately, the same old solution is being tried time and again — putting in several stone crates and repairing cracks in the structure. Consequently, chances of success are bleak this time again.

This project was investigated, designed and built by the Punjab Irrigation Department. The Punjab Irrigation and Power Research Institute, Amritsar, carried out model tests for the section in trouble at the Hydraulic Research Station in Malikpur. The project, after completion and successful commissioning, was handed over to the PSEB.

Will it not be proper to call in the agency which had investigated, designed and built the project to examine what has gone wrong and what should be done?

Dr G.S. DHILLON, Chandigarh

Faith in Hamas

You have called upon the Hamas to give up violence and terrorism. Now, when the Palestinian people have shown faith in the Hamas by voting it to power, it becomes obligatory for the Hamas leadership to take a strong political stand on all fronts.

The Hamas should work hard for the amelioration of poverty and corruption. The world also needs to change its perceptions.

SANDEEP KRISHAN, Abohar