L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Nuclear deal is beneficial for India

Those opposing the nuclear deal don’t understand its immense benefits for India. The country is passing through acute power crisis. The deal, if operationalised, will help meet the growing demand for power. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a visionary and he is fully confident that the deal will help solve our power problem.

I appeal to all members of the Lok Sabha to support the Prime Minister’s motion of confidence so that the deal can be operationalised with the overwhelming support of Parliament.

SUKHMINDER SINGH BAINS, Mohali

II

I agree with H.K. Dua’s views in his front-page editorial, “PM need not cancel his flight to Tokyo now” (July 6), that the political equations are fast changing these days. Every political party is trying to extract maximum mileage according to its convenience by proposing or opposing the deal without even bothering to know the deal’s core benefits and intricacies as exemplified by Mr Dua — enriched uranium, high technology for nuclear reactors, defence and space industries and the emerging economy.

As for the Communists, they are sticking to their old testament. Pity also for Ms Mayawati who is agitated over the SP-Congress alignment forgetting that it was of her own making. Clearly, the UPA government is firm on going ahead with the deal.

R. K. MALHOTRA, Chandigarh

III

The nuclear deal is not with the US but with the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group and will allow India to enter the Nuclear Club. Even the Hyde Act won’t affect India even if we go in for Pokhran III (Mr L.K. Advani’s fears).

Moreover, the entire Press and top nuclear scientists say that the deal will help India. Why are, then, the Left and the BJP are opposing it? Just for opposition sake? Many nuclear power plants (out of a total capacity of 13,000 MW) are lying idle for want of uranium supply. The critics of the deal should understand this ground reality and support the deal.

RAM NIWAS MALIK, Chandigarh

IV

In America, I have been campaigning in favour of the Indo-US nuclear deal through our organisation, International Drug Control Foundation. Almost all NRIs living in the US are in favour of the deal. In view of its merits, I would appeal to the Shiromani Akali Dal leadership to direct its MPs to vote in favour of the confidence vote in the Lok Sabha on July 22.

Dr RANDHIR SINGH GONIANA, Camp: Chandigarh

V

If the government wins the vote of confidence, Dr Manmohan Singh can push the strategic partnership with the US further by finalising the nuclear deal. We will, then, have access to the much-needed enriched uranium for our reactors and the latest techonology for space, defence and industrial establishments and for economic growth.

In case the government loses the confidence motion in Parliament, general elections will be imminent. Let the election be fought on the agenda of ‘Deal or No Deal’. Let the people decide what is good for them.

DILBAG RAI, Chandigarh

Not key suspect

In the context of the editorial captioned “CBI on the mat” in The Tribune of July 14, it is clarified that the CBI never called Dr Rajesh Talwar a key suspect. His judicial custody remand was got extended from time to time for his polygraph test/lie detection test to check the veracity of his statements.

The result of the fist polygraph test had remained inconclusive and, therefore, he was subjected to second polygraph test. As no deception was found in the polygraph tests and his psychological analysis test was also clear, an application was filed before the court on July 11 for not extending his judicial custody.

G. MOHANTY, DPIO, CBI, New Delhi

Help Harwant

The Union Sports Minister might have missed out the compelling case of the Punjab Police constable and discus champion Harwant Kaur who, having qualified for the Bejing Olympics, is now thinking of migrating to Australia.

Recruited as an ASI in 2003 in the sports quota, she now finds herself demoted to a constable due to the change in government rules for direct entries in this category!

What a far cry from the times when my father, as a regimental commander, had picked up India’s ace Olympian Parduman Singh from the police and got him recruited in his and later my regiment Hodson’s Horse, promoted him to a three-striper. He then became a JCO and Hon. Captain on retirement.

What is Harwant’s fault to face this demotion? Mr N.P.S. Aulakh, DGP, could find a way out where this potential national asset is retained as also given her due rank and status. There is always a special category for our achievers. Cricketer Harbhajan Singh and hockey player Gagan Ajit Singh are serving in the Punjab Police as DSPs.

Maj-Gen HIMMAT SINGH GILL (retd), Chandigarh