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	M A I L B A G	Saturday, October 9, 1999
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Functioning of poll panel

MR Sumer Kaul’s article, “Functioning of poll panel: Gimmicks and fiats wont do” (Sept 23) deserves public pat for highlighting in detail, the way the Election Commission has been functioning with extra-jurisdictional subjects not falling under his authority causing choicest hardship to the public. With due respect to Mr M.S. Gill who was a Deputy Commissioner of undivided district of Kangra whom the people still pat for his administrative ability, I feel pity on him that instead of updating the voters’ list and their particulars, he not only appears to be acting like a politician but also seen as a particular party’s spokesman, thus damaging the dignity of the high office.

Ignoring stringent press criticism, the Election Commission crossed all limits till the highest court of law came to peoples’ rescue. While the former Chief Election Commissioner, Mr T.N. Seshan, was criticised by one and all, everybody praised him for his integrity and impartiality. Gill’s worst action was to advise the political parties not to mention the military gains in Kargil as if we were holding election in Pakistan for India. The Indian Army with its highest traditions and customs does not need such a great advice from Mr Gill.

MULTAN SINGH PARIHAR
Jalari-Hamirpur

Calling party pays

The Telephone Regulatory Authority (TRA) has introduced CPP (calling party pays) making incoming calls free on cellular phones with effect from November 1, but charging fixed phone users for calls to mobile phones at an enhanced tariff. It is like robbing Peter to pay Haris. The TRA has proved itself anti-poor and pro-rich because bulk of the fixed phone users are the middle class consumers compared to the mobile phone users who are quite rich. The TRA should have given a thought to it and should have also taken into confidence the fixed phone users before taking off the facility which they had been enjoying without difference in call charge whether to a fixed phone or the mobile phone.

The PCO local call franchisees would also feel the pinch as it would render their local call PCO meters redundant which are programmed on 180 seconds unit call and will become unserviceable. It is taxing the poor while giving bonanza to the rich.

KAMAL SONI
Amritsar

Haryana pensioners

The present Chief Minister of Haryana, immediately after taking over, had committed to grant revised pay scales and pension to its employees and pensioners as per recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission as accepted by the Central Government but the same have not been fully implemented so far in respect of pensioners as stated below.

There is a great disparity in pension admissible to pre-1996 pensioners (who are getting much lower pension) and those who retired after 1st January, 1996 on revision of pay scales w.e.f. 1st January 1996. To reduce the disparity, it was recommended by the Fifth Pay Commission to fix the pension of pre-1996 pensioners subject to a minimum of 50% of lowest stage in the revised pay scale of the rank from which the pensioner had retired. This was accepted by the Central Government in the month of December, 1998, and these rates were made applicable w.e.f. 1st January, 1996. However, the Haryana Government has not allowed this so far.

The Government of Haryana is, therefore, requested to issue necessary orders for release of pension to pre-1996 pensioners at the rate of 50% of lowest stage in the revised pay scale of the rank from which they had retired as this issue has already been over-delayed.

R.K. AGGARWAL
Panchkula

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Medical services

A few sad developments have taken place in Punjab in the field of medical services during the last few days. Five senior doctors have put in their papers at Patiala seeking voluntary retirement from government service. In a separate move, the Punjab Government has empowered the village panchayats to check the regularity and punctuality of doctors posted there. This has hurt the doctors who have always enjoyed the status of being “next to God”. They have reacted strongly to this move and have threatened to launch a state-wide stir. All this leads to one conclusion: Medical service conditions in the state need to be reviewed in a practical way and the root cause of the problem is to be found and solved.

It is well understood by now that no service remains productive unless the serving ones have in view an opening to rise. Today, stagnation has gripped most of the government departments and is acting like a silent killer. In case of medical services, a doctor has to keep abreast with the latest developments in his field, attend seminars and conferences and subject himself to maximum exposure. Only then can he maintain his competency. These features are not available in government service of doctors. Rather stagnation and interference in working act as negative factors. The only solution to the problem is to allow private practice to the government doctors in their off-duty hours. DMC Ludhiana is an ideal example to prove that such a system will be successful.

Today, five doctors wary of vigilance cases against them have resigned and preferred private practice over the so-called comfortable government service. Tomorrow, many more may follow. This is not to be allowed to be a trend. An immediate review of the situation has to be made.

JAGVIR GOYAL
Bathinda