M A I L B A G

Punjab aided college teachers deserve justice

The Punjab Government has been unduly harsh on more than 5,000 teachers working in 140-aided colleges in Punjab. Services of many teachers have been terminated after shifting Plus Two classes out of colleges; the Damocles’ sword is hanging on many more. The teachers are forced to take to the road after more than 30 years of meritorious service.

The merger of 50 per cent DA too remains to be implemented. The issue of pension has been hanging fire since April 1992 when the then Finance Minister, Dr Kewal Krishan, first conceded the demand of the private colleges, which get 95 per cent grant-in-aid from the government, on the floor of the State Assembly. Thereafter, both the Congress and Akali-BJP governments failed to help us.

Incidentally, Punjab is the only state where the pension-cum-gratuity scheme has not been implemented for aided college teachers so far. Haryana has done it. The Punjab Government and Chandigarh UT Administration should grant pension and provident fund on total salary to the teachers.

ANIL SARWAL, President, DAV College Teachers’ Union, Chandigarh

Help oustees

Medha Patkar and her Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) deserves all support. They are fighting for the oustees’ cause without any personal gains. We must protect the interests of crores of Indians who are in dire need of water and irrigation not only in Gujarat but also in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

.Filmstar Aamir Khan’s gesture of solidarity towards NBA activists and the Bhopal gas victims is welcome. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should ensure proper rehabilitation of the victims at any cost.

Dr NARESH RAJ, Patiala

II

In his article, “Dam politics is pointless”, G.S. Bhargava has christened the agitators as “professional” and an actor as “seeker of ready publicity”. However, I feel a “professional” can’t remain without food for long and an already popular actor has no need to get involved in any controversy without a genuine cause.

The writer also does not seem to have realised the genuine concern of thousands of affected people and their children on whom the sword of evacuation is hanging. The writer has the right to express himself but he is also supposed to make an impartial assessment of both sides.

BIRENDRA SINGH, Chandigarh

Arrest the chaos in Delhi Who will check the civic and moral chaos in Delhi following the spate of unauthorised constructions and illegal conversion of residential properties into commercial establishments? Clearly, the present chaos in Delhi is due to the corrupt practices of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Development Authority and police officials. The politicians seem to be indifferent. The current awakening of the judiciary on the illegal constructions and commercial properties is too late. Surprisingly, Delhi’s development has not been in accordance with the Master Plan. Its future growth will have to be formulated in the context of the National Capital Region to ensure the balance spillover of population, commercial and industrial activities in spatial development. GOPAL BHARGAVA, Delhi

Illegal hoardings

I refer to the report “Hoarding despite court ban” (April 24). The problem is not limited to Kapurthala. See the huge hoardings of the Punjab government on GT Road, Amritsar. These hoardings divert the attention of the drivers and hence the Punjab and Haryana High Court had banned them. It is time to get these illegal hoardings removed.

H.S. SARKARIA, Amritsar

Night courts

With the huge backlog of cases in the courts, it is time to promote alternative methods of dispute resolution mechanism. No stone should be left unturned to reach a possible settlement by arbitration, conciliation, mediation or a judicial settlement through the Lok Adalats. Why cannot we have night courts, in addition to the present courts in day time, to clear the backlog? Why not sit with your adversary and discuss the issue over a cup of coffee or a cold drink if that helps to come to a legally valid settlement?

With so much rage and enthusiasm to litigate, one wonders what has happened to the village elders of yesteryears, who through their father figure role, aborted and prevented litigation.

AIRES RODRIGUES, Ribandar (Goa)

Selfless leader

I endorse the view in the editorial “Poor George!” (April 13) that Mr George Fernandes was not expected to lose so badly as the Janata Dal (U) president. But this doesn’t make him a “poor George”. He is also not lonely. Let me support both my contentions.
A good man may lose an election but that neither takes away his goodness nor make him poor in any way. Mr Fernandes has throughout his life worked for the have-nots with dedication and integrity. As Defence Minister, he totally identified himself with the troops and understood their problems by visiting them at the remotest places.

He is also not lonely. Loneliness comes when a person is bankrupt from within. Mr Fernandes is a man of sound values and convictions. He is in tune with his inner self. That is why he is so strong and balanced.

Col R.D. SINGH, Jammu