M A I L B A G

MPs have no right to disrupt Parliament

The editorials, “MPs vs Parliament” (Feb 29) and “Shaming the errant” (March 8) are timely. Every time Parliament is convened, the Opposition gears up to stall the proceedings, thereby wasting the taxpayers’ precious money. Time has no value for them.

The behaviour of our MPs puts even the simians to shame. It has a cascading effect on the nation in general and the youth in particular. When the MPs appear in the public, they behave differently and they are not tired of moralising the nation on different aspects of life.

David Barin aptly commented on the attitude of such people when he says: “When it comes to privacy and accountability, people want the former for themselves and the latter for everyone else.” The Lok Sabha Speaker’s anguish at our conduct of MPs is genuine because he is a veteran parliamentarian and has seen good old days in Parliament when brains ruled it.

Prof LAKHA SINGH, Sarhali (Amritsar)

II

I agree with the Lok Sabha Speaker’s remarks about our MPs. Since long, they have shown the stuff they are made of and the sincerity with which they wish to run the country. If the employers working in the business establishment or in their houses resort to similar conduct, will the MPs tolerate? When the employees are fired, why not the MPs?

A disciplinary committee consisting of MPs from main political parties should be constituted to watch the MPs’ conduct in the house. The defaulters should be punished in many ways like penalising their session perks, suspension and permanent disqualification.

RAJESH SHARMA, Bathinda

III

A certificate from the Speaker that MPs “are working overtime to finish the democracy” is a cry of an aching heart. Earlier also there were two editorials, "Parliament demeaned" (Aug 15, 2007) and “Somnath’s lament” (Nov 16, 2007). Where are we headed? To chaos, indiscipline and disruption?

B.S. BHATIA, Advocate, Chandigarh

United in diversity The ongoing controversy of North Indians in Maharashtra makes me feel shameful. Why don’t we understand that everyone wants to live happily and lead a better life and this in turn will help India? Why are we dividing the country on linguistic or religious lines? Why do we feel that a person is a Himachali, Punjabi or Maharashtrian? We are Indians and we should not get into the hands of such politicians who want to grab power even at the nation’s cost? I appeal to the media and people to spread general awareness on the theme, unity in diversity, in a constructive way. TANUJ SHARMA, Nalagarh (HP)

Caught napping

Is it not an insult to the President and Parliament when many MPs literally dozed off during the President’s maiden speech on the first day of the budget session? Perhaps parliamentary speeches/debates are so dry that many literally go to sleep.

In the British Parliament, the then Duke of Devonshire once dreamt that he was addressing the House of Lords only to realise on waking up that he was actually doing so. A bewildered member nudged him and asked, “Are you dead or alive?” “Deadly alive!” was the answer he got.

Kings and emperors in ancient and medieval India maintained court jesters to provide comic relief to break the monotonous dull moments. Perhaps Akbar would have been terribly bored without Birbal. Should our government have a Ministry of Mirth and Humour?

ROSHNI JOHAR, Shimla

Panchkula station

Mohali railway station is coming up fast on the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail route. Panchkula is an important constituent of the Tricity of the Chandigarh capital region but its name is conspicuous by its absence from the railway network. As Chandigarh railway station is approached both from Chandigarh and Panchkula side, it would be in the fitness of things if its name is modified as Chandigarh-Panchkula station. Alternatively, Chandimandir railway station be called Panchkula railway station.

LALIT BHARDWAJ, Panchkula

Help pensioners

Haryana has topped in agricultural production, electricity, roads and other spheres in the country. The credit goes to the progressive policies of the state government. Strangely, compared with Punjab, Haryana has lagged behind in giving similar facilities to its pensioners.

Despite acute financial crisis, Punjab has increased the employees’ pension by 5 per cent on attaining the age of 65 plus 10 per cent at the age of 70. Even small states like Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh UT have given this benefit to its employees. Justice demands that Haryana followed suit by giving its pensioners the same benefit.

J. P. SHARMA, Joint Director Education (retd), Chandigarh