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Tripura shows path to progress
The exceptional voter turnout of about 92 per cent in the Tripura Assembly polls proves that good governance is welcomed by one and all. The steps to progress that lead to power include development, job opportunities, education and primary health, fulfilling aspirations and expectations of the masses, awareness and empowerment, sensitive administration (political, civil and police), benefits in terms of services, goods, funds reaching the intended beneficiaries under various social welfare programmes, infrastructure development and smooth implementation of schemes sponsored by the state or the Centre. All this constitutes good governance and lack of it or perceived injustice has led to insurgency in J&K, North Eastern States and other Maoist-infested states. Our netas and babus must wake up now, otherwise it may be too late. They must fulfill the genuine aspirations of the people and the youth in national interest and rise above petty politics. Brig BS GILL (retd), Chandigarh
II
In an era of scams and corruption reaching new heights, it is difficult to find out an honest politician. But the Chief Minister of a tiny state Tripura, Manik Sarkar, gives a ray of hope. Probably he is India’s only Chief Minister who does not own a home, a car and does not use a red beacon on his official car.
His wife, a retired central government officer, runs the household with her pension. The value of his total assets is less than that of a rickshaw puller. He is seeking re-election from Dhanpur constituency in western Tripura. He possessed Rs 16,120 in 2008 when he fought election and now according to his election affidavit he has less than Rs 10,800.
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Sarkar probably may be India’s poorest Chief Minister and a rare politician whose honesty is extolled by his staunchest political opponents. His Spartan lifestyle, extreme honesty and sincerity needs to be followed by politicians, as actions speak louder than words. SK KHOSLA, Chandigarh Nobody’s loss The revival of industrial package to Himachal has been hanging fire for quite some time. It was constantly being opposed by Haryana and Punjab fearing that it would encourage industries to shift to Himachal. This premise was wrong and not based on facts. It has rightly been falsified by the report of the independent evaluation study team, set up by the Union Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (News report ‘Study strengthens case for package revival’, Himachal Tribune, February 9). The report has testified that Himachal’s gain if any was not the loss of neighbouring states. It has specifically proved that in the post reform period (2001-09 ) the industrial growth rate for Haryana, Punjab and Himachal was 8.13% ; 6.18% and 6.65% respectively of their gross state domestic product. Himachal should vigorously pursue the case of package and incentives on par with J & K where the cap has been raised to Rs 3 crore for the manufacturing sector and to Rs 1.5 crore for the service sector. The Confederation of Indian Industry should also build pressure on the Centre to get justice done to itself and to Himachal. RM RAMAUL, Paonta Sahib Parliament attack Afzal Guru was convicted for plotting a terror attack on Parliament which ended in the death of nine police personnel. Those who are raising their dissenting voices against the death sentence should not forget the horrific consequences, had terrorists succeeded in their mission. What is more stunning is that they made an attempt to destroy one of the largest seats of democracy in the world? Afzal Guru met his logical end. Most importantly, his conviction passed through a legal course. Dr IS KALRA, Ludhiana II How a self-styled separatist leader of Kashmir Yasin Malik shared stage with the mastermind of Mumbai attack, Hafiz Saeed, with no action being taken against him by the government is strange. It is the inability of our political leadership to strike at terrorist havens in PoK that has created a sense of confidence among the anti-national elements within and outside India. Terror attacks can not be carried out until these terrorists have safe shelters or find soft targets who can be used to operate against our people and places. Waiting for someone else to heal our wounds would amount to handing over our national integrity for whose protection so many security personnel have sacrificed their lives. I am reminded of Sahir Ludhianvi who wrote: Is daure-e-taraqqi ke andaaz nirale hein, zehno main andhere hein, sarkkon pe ujale hein. MULTAN SINGH
PARIHAR, Hamirpur
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