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

Raja’s arrest: Better late than never

Disagreeing partly with the editorial “Raja behind bars: The Centre has lived up to its word” (Feb 4), I would like to say that the UPA Government has lived up only to its image of acting under pressure. So far the UPA has been using all tricks and tactics to keep the whole 2G Spectrum irregularities under wraps. The same was the case with the Adarsh Housing Society scandal.

The arrest of A Raja by the CBI is clearly an act of expedience and meant to attenuate the demand of the BJP for a JPC enquiry into the issue. If the government had ordered Raja’s arrest immediately after the scam came to light, people would have believed its intention and its seriousness to fight corruption at the highest level. But it was not to be.

Anyhow, it is always better late than never.  But as the proof of the pudding lies in eating, the case should be taken to its logical conclusion. So far the track record in securing the conviction of the high and the mighty has been dismal. The long arm of the law could not reach them because of the apathy of the powers that be and our cumbersome judicial system.

TARSEM SINGH, New Delhi

IQBAL KAUR SAINI, SAS Nagar

Sikh as CMD

The news report “Appoint a Sikh as CMD, ex-MP writes to PM” (Jan 31) is a valid recommendation. I, at Chief Khalsa Diwan, support and endorse this gesture to appoint a Sikh as the Chief Managing Director of Punjab & Sind Bank to retain the Sikh character of the bank.

The basic purpose of Chief Khalsa Diwan, founded in 1902, was to spread education and bring reforms in society. The bank was founded in 1908 by prominent members of Chief Khalsa Diwan to look after the economic welfare of society.

Even at the earlier stages, the founders of Chief Khalsa Diwan, Tarlochan Singh, Bhai Vir Singh, etc, had been the directors of the bank. Later on, Sant Singh, Secretary of Chief Khalsa Diwan and other members have also been the directors of the bank. Inderjit Singh, member of Chief Khalsa Diwan, had been the chairman of the bank for a long time and his contribution is invaluable.

CHARANJIT SINGH CHADHA, President, Chief Khalsa Diwan, Amritsar

Sachin & team spirit

Indeed, Sachin Tendulkar is recognised as the most prolific batsman in the world (news report, “Thanks for showing faith in my integrity, says Tendulkar”, Feb 7). By hitting record 51 centuries and over 14,000 test runs, he has carved out his name in the history books of cricket.

Usually, a player like him on the team is always an inspiration to the rest of the team. I still remember how strong West Indies and Pakistan cricket teams used to be when Gary Sobers and Imran Khan were on those teams respectively. These two players always played selflessly for their teams.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about Sachin Tendulkar, who has been playing for India for the past 21 years. With the kind of world-class talent and experience that he has and himself being in the middle and always standing like a rock, I had hoped that he would have put India on top of the cricket world. Cricket is a team sport.

Therefore, it is the first rule that all players understand the team concept for its overall success. Sachin has never considered himself as a part of the team and thus always played for himself. 

SUBHASH C CHAUDHRY, Indianapolis, USA

Heinous crime

It is horrifying that two innocent sisters in their teens were forcibly taken out of their house and gunned down by Laskhkar-e-Toiba terrorists (editorial, “Killings of two sisters”, Feb 3). Indeed, the separatists and extremists are the enemies of Kashmiris.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too condemned the killing of the sisters. This incident is an eye-opener and the people of Kashmir must learn a lesson from it and reject the separatists.

RIKHI DASS THAKUR, Palbhu, Hamirpur

Able administrator

The Prime Minister needs to gear up (editorial, “Crisis of governance”, Jan 29). He is an intelligent and honest man but seems to be weak.

His personal integrity and sobriety is of high order but now his image is in danger. He should act like an able administrator and provide good governance.

S K MITTAL, Panckhkula

Falling water-table A 20-metre drop in the water-table of central Punjab in the past one decade has all the portents of a serious ecological threat for Punjab, which is otherwise considered as the grain-bowl of India (editorial, “Avoidable loss: Rainwater still goes waste in Punjab”, Feb 4). Despite heavy rain and shifting of the paddy transplanting schedules, the water situation has remained as grim as ever. Whereas central Punjab is rapidly drifting towards desertification, vast areas in the districts of Muktsar, Bathinda and Faridkot are affected by salinity. The rivers of Punjab have already shrunk into narrow, dirty channels. The Ravi, Beas and Satluj have shown tendencies to change their courses making all the dams redundant. There is an urgent need to put Punjab on an environmentally sustainable growth trajectory. Notwithstanding the complete geo-hydro mapping of Punjab, it does not seem to have any declared water policy. Over the years, it has been pumping more ground water than the natural recharge. Punjab needs to diversify its crop pattern by freeing itself from the vicious wheat-rice cycle. Exploitative technologies like boring a tube-well or installing a hand-pump need to be avoided. Provision for water harvesting should be made mandatory while permitting new buildings. The misdirected subsidy of free power for energising tube-wells must be rationalised. We must halt deforestation practices on the pretext of development. Perhaps, water has to be rationed in Punjab. It is time we revived our traditional ponds, wells, tanks, channels, check-dams, choes and other water bodies. There is need to discuss, debate and evolve a safer and better water management policy in Punjab. Prof S P ARORA, Barmana