M A I L B A G

Library books decaying

It refers to the news item "P.U. Library books decaying" by Sanjeev Singh Bariana (Nov 5). In fact, the sordid state of libraries tells its own story.

It is not only true of PU library but also of most of the libraries in the country. The mutilated, torn and decaying books reflect a sense of apathy on the part of students as well the authorities.

There is no sense of decorum and responsibility among students. They not only tear off pages from the valuable books but also hide the rare books at places only known to them in the library.

A book once seen is never found again at the same place. Some latest publications are grabbed by the university teachers and are hardly returned.

Reading and studying habits among the students are desirable for their better future and of the country. The libraries are the only places where such habits can be nurtured.

JOGA SINGH
Kurukshetra

Narmada dam

This refers to the article "Narmada dam and nationalism" by Bhupinder Singh (Nov 7) in which he has criticised Mr L.K. Advani for his remarks against those who are opposing construction of Narmada Dam.

It seems Mr Bhupinder Singh considers it his exclusive right to denounce and rebuke Hindu organisations and Sangh parivar as communal, narrow minded and fundamentalists without any logic or with perverted logic.

He has called Advani communal in his article, and switched over to Rath yatra, which has no relevance to the Narmada dam. Which shows that he had no valued argument to justify the stand taken by Ms Medha Patkar and Arundhati Roy.

ANAND PRAKASH
Chandigarh

Who cares for pensioners

Despite repeated assurances given to the pensioners' delegations by both the Punjab Chief Minister and the Finance Minister, regarding the early implementation of the long-pending recommendations of the Punjab Pay Commission concerning pensioners, nothing has been done so far by the Badal administration. There is no point in setting-up a pay commission if its recommendations are not to be accepted.

More than two and a half years have elapsed since the report containing 10 major recommendations concerning pensioners was submitted to the state government on February 20, 1998. However, the Badal administration has, so far, implemented only one recommendation — revision of pensions. The other recommendations remain unimplemented. These include: old age allowance at the rate of 5% and 10% on attaining the age of 65 and 75 years, respectively, 97% DA admissible on 1.7.93 to be counted for gratuity, benefit in pension for the service rendered beyond 33 years, restoration of the commuted pension after 11 and a half years, at least 50 per cent pension to the retiree of the minimum of the revised grade of the post held at the time of retirement, increase in the expenses incurred on the dentures, spectacles and hearing aid, and reservation of plots and flats in PUDA colonies.

Resentment prevails among Punjab pensioners over the recent notification regarding reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by the pensioners for the treatment of chronic diseases. They are sore over the reduction in the number of chronic diseases eligible for reimbursement. Pensioners also demand that the condition of no reimbursement up to Rs 6000 on the treatment of chronic diseases should be removed.

YASH PAUL GHAI
Ludhiana

ZP benefits

The Punjab government had decided in principle to grant pension benefits to panchayat samitis and zila parishad employees of the state, in 1995 and in lieu thereof, the C.P.F accounts of the employees were freezed henceforth. The government has backed out of its promise and notified to grant pension benefits to the employees of these institutions w.e.f 1.7.99 instead of 1.4.95.

On the other hand, the government had allowed pension benefits to the employees of Municipal Committees, Market Committees and teachers of private recognised schools w.e.f 1.4.90, 1.4.83 and 1.4.87 respectively.

The retired employees of panchayat samitis and zila parishads have united to fight for their right and they are ready to take the matter to court.

KARNAIL SINGH
Bathinda

Governor’s transfer

This is with reference to your editorial "Go, Governor, go". It is a recognised principle in administrative law that transfer is not a remedy. Instead of transferring a public or Government servant, proper disciplinary action should be taken against him and appropriate punishment or direction should be given to him.

We have already defined the duties and powers of Governor and it is the duty of every Governor to follow those mandatory provisions of law and not to cross those limits created by the Constitution itself..

DALIP SINGH WASAN
Chandigarh

Regional centre at Sirsa

The Government of Haryana and also the authorities of Kurukshetra University deserve applause on their reviving Regional Centre of Kurukshetra University at Sirsa. The Centre was initially established there keeping in view the educational needs of the people that region and was functioning very well, meeting its objective of the educational uplift of the region around Sirsa.

The winding up of that Centre by the previous Government was not based on any financial or administrative exigency, but was solely a political decision.

However, the Regional Centre, as has ben re-started on Haryana Day is in a truncated form as the courses of B.Ed. and LL.B. which were being run previously and which are much in demand in that area, have not been included in this scheme of reviving the defunct REgional Centre afresh.

The Centre can regain its lost prestige if the status quo ante, as it stood on the day when the Centre was ordered to be closed down, is restored.

H. S. SINHA
Kurukshetra