Pakistan’s continued mischief

THIS refers to the news item “17 Pak, 8 Indian soldiers killed in border firing” (November 11). It is a matter of serious concern that Pakistan once again wants to create another Kargil. After 11 years of democracy, Pakistani Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf once again put it under military rule. After the military rule Gen Musharraf decided that as far as Pakistan border with Jammu and Kashmir was concerned, Pakistani army would be reduced and he started withdrawal of troops from its international border with India some days after this announcement, in line with a confidence-building initiative. Then it was expected that the war-like situation will reverse in Jammu and Kashmir and peace and friendship will develop between India and Pakistan.

But there have been more than a dozen attacks by well-armed militants on army units and civilian offices during the past three months.

On October 26 Pakistani troops made attempts to capture two Indian posts in Uri sector in North West Kashmir, in which four Pakistan soldiers were killed.

On November 4 in an another attack by the Pakistani militants on Indian Army unit, one Major and five jawans were killed and Lashkar-e-Toiba claimed responsibility.

These attacks were in keeping with the pattern of Pakistan’s repeated attempts to cause terrorism along the Line of Control even after its humiliating defeat in the Kargil operation.

It shows that Pakistan will continue to support and provide explosive material and guns to the militants for spreading mayhem in Jammu and Kashmir and try to create another Kargil on LoC. Besides, the Pakistani army has deployed additional forces and installed long- range guns at several places, across Uri, Karnath, Kupwara, Gulmarg, Poonch and Rajouri sector. But surprisingly our government and the Defence Minister are unable to know the future planning of the enemy.

Today Pakistani militants are adopting a new pattern of hit and run attacks on the border posts, instead of civilian population.

Our intelligence agencies have totally failed in Jammu and Kashmir. It is difficult to believe that after the Kargil operation a large number of militants have sneaked into the valley. It is the need of the hour that the entire Kashmir area now should be announced as a War Zone area. Our government and intelligence agencies should wake up, when there have been continuing attacks from Pakistani troops and militants to recapture the important heights, which they have lost in the Kargil operation.

India should keep in mind that Pakistan will never forgive us for its humiliating defeat in Kargil.

SUNIL DOGRA
Chandigarh

Drug licences

The wholesale and retail sale drug licences are renewed after every two years and the process involves much botheration to the chemists and paper-work in the office of the licensing authority. The chemists have to send the same set of papers after every two years for the renewal of their licences to the licensing authority and there have been so many instances where the licences were renewed even after the expiry of the applied for renewal period of two years which practice by the licensing authority has been causing much harassment to the chemists. To simplify the present procedure and to earn more revenue, the Punjab Government should impose one-time lumpsum drug licences fee. The condition of renewal after every two years should be waived. However, as and when there is any change in the qualified person, constitution and premises of the firm, a fresh fee may be demanded for issuance of new licences.

In 1995, the Punjab Government reintroduced the abandoned practice of renewal of registration of pharmacists. This renewal is to be got done after every five years at a fee of Rs 50. Here again the process involves much botheration to the pharmacists (which is must for retail-sale chemist shops) and paper-work in the office of the Registrar, Punjab Pharmacy Council, Chandigarh. Previously when the practice of renewal of registration of pharmacists was in vogue about 30 years back, the simple remittance of a nominal fee of Rs 3 every year was duly receipted by the Council and there was no other paper-work at all. To simplify the present procedure and to earn more revenue, the Punjab Government should impose one-time lumpsum renewal fee or alternatively the remittance of renewal fee after every five years should suffice without any cumbersome and expensive procedure.

The chemists want that their avoidable harassment and load of paper-work should be lessened.

D.P. JINDAL
Fatehgarh Sahib