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Empowering panchayats a right step

This refers to the news item, “Keeping promise, Omar starts empowering panchayats” (August 29). This step has been taken in the right direction, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah needs to be appreciated. Panchayats are formed to decentralize power. This will not only empower villagers, but also make them more responsible. The villagers will take interest in the affairs of their village. It will also help the state government. The government will come to know about the aspirations of the people.

This could be the beginning of a new era in the state. While terrorism cannot be wished away, people will have more faith in the good intentions of the government. But the most important thing is to ensure that power does not remain in the hands of a few in panchayat. It should reach more and more people. People’s participation in development-related projects must be ensured. Panchayats can really play a very effective role in this regard.

MOHAMMAD ALAM, Delhi

Anti-corruption stir

It is quite inspiring and delightful to note that a 74- year- old social activist has come to change the essential discourse of Indian politics within a fortnight, and emerged as a ray of hope for the people of India. I share your perceptive and penetrating observation that: “The disgust of people at large with the series of corruption scandals that rocked the nation in the preceding months found expression through Anna’s movement”(editorial, “End of a limited battle: But the war on corruption must rage on, August 29).

The common people were seething with resentment over increasing cases of corruption in public life. Anna stood up to give vent to their pent-up feelings of disgust and disappointment with their elected representatives, indifferent Cabinet Ministers, a helpless Prime Minister and not so active and sensible Opposition.

RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

II

With anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare calling off fast, one point has clearly been proved that even the poor have understood the pain and plight caused to them by corruption. They no longer worship the political gods for their commission of crime. They would not hesitate to revolt against them as proved by the sea of humanity at the Ramlila ground. Anna Hazare displayed grit and determination while fighting against corruption.

Our MPs often use the famous phrase of the supremacy of Parliament, but the recent fight against corruption by Anna proved that the people are supreme who make Parliament so. The dignity of our democracy depends on the design to demolish corruption completely.

MULTAN SINGH PARIHAR, Jalari –Hamirpur(HP)

III

The euphoria amidst proclaimed victory for Anna and his team is all around. The celebrations are on with people, who are actively associated with this movement, congratulating each other for the victory. Debates and discussions in the media are in full swing.

With the movement of this magnitude, the feelings and sentiments of countrymen have certainly been sensitized. Anna has been successful, beyond any doubt, in not only giving a wake up call to politicians, but has also effectively sensitized the otherwise insulated character of the Indians, who are themselves part and parcel of this rampant corruption.

Anna has set the ball rolling. It is now for the countrymen to grab this opportunity to reform themselves and stand firmly against corrupt practices. However, corruption cannot be rooted out overnight with the passing of some bill.

SANJEEV TRIKHA, MM (PG) College, Fatehabad

Grievance redressal

It is good to see states getting noticed for important legislative efforts (HP Public Services Guarantee Bill passed, August 27). This along with the RTI and online public grievance redressal mechanisms will bring more accountability and transparency. People, who submit applications to government offices for various certificates and other services, are normally harassed by officials for petty reasons. Therefore, they have to visit these offices again and again.

All this happens due to the absence of well-defined service processes and listing of required documents. The bill may fail to address this issue, as the time limit for services will be counted from the date of acceptance of an application. Since the service to be provided will be based on a citizen’s charter, each department must be asked to clearly mention the processes and required formalities in the charter of every office.

Dr RAKESH K SHARMA, Shimla

Army HQ’s rejoinder This has refererence to your editorial of 31st Aug titled ‘Changing the Goal Posts’. The editorial opinion expressed is entirely speculative, as neither the COAS nor anybody from the Army has commented on the issue. It is unfortunate that an editorial, which needs to remain unbiased as also have its foundation rest on facts, including background, is emerging in a newspaper of repute, based on conjectures and media reports. While reporting a news item through half-baked inputs, via ‘leaks and snide comments’, is one thing, putting the point across through an editorial based on the same ‘inputs’, is unfortunate, and possibly not commensurate to the ethics and values of a paper of the stature of Tribune. ADG Public Information Army Headquarters, New Delhi Army Headquarters has not refuted the specific facts of the issue in its rejoinder. If it does, The Tribune will carry it. As for the opinion expressed in the editorial, it is our own. — Editor-in-Chief