M A I L B A G

Killers in police force

THIS has a reference to the Editorial "Killing in Ludhiana" (Tribune, Dec. 11) the cold blooded murder of Avtar Singh by a policeman has proved once again that our policemen are a "law unto themselves". The only fault of the deceased was that he had objected to the policeman and his companions drinking at a public place. That the senior officers tried to cover up the gruesome crime proves that they could go to any extent to save the murderer who was once a terrorist. He was rehabilitated after he had surrendered. The top brass should scrutinise the case of all such persons who have been employed in the police force under the "rehabilitation programme".

It has been very correctly observed that the likes of Gurmeet Singh who have been recruited in the force "would prove to be counter-productive". The officers who tried to whitewash such a serious criminal act need to explain their conduct. Will the NHCR look into the matter and ensure that justice is done to the bereaved family apart from ordering an adequate compensation.

H. L. KAPOOR
New Delhi

Punjab pensioners

Punjab government employees who retired before January 1, 1986, are being given an unfair treatment. The government "extended certain benefits to its pensioners and the order contained a specific provision relating to employees who retired before January 1, 1986. It was decided that the pay of the employees who retired prior to January 1, 1986, should be fixed on a notional basis in the revised scale at the time of their retirement. The notional pay fixation was to be done on the basis of the general conversion table/ready reckoner in respect of each general pay revision.

The manner in which the pay of the pre-January 1,1998, retirees is to be fixed if more than one revisions are involved was also laid down. In such cases, the pay refixed on the first occasion was to be taken into consideration for subsequent notional fixation.

This provision has been ignored while revising the pensions on 1.1.1996. The office of the Accountant General maintains that it has received no order from the state government to calculate pensions on notional basis according to the general conversion table/ready reckoner as on 1.1.1996. The pre-January, 1998, pensioners deserve a fair treatment.

R. P. NAYAR
Chandigarh

College principals

This has reference to Mr Anil Bhatia's letter "Undue emphasis on Ph.D." (Tribune Dec 19). Even the UGC does not make the conditions of Ph.D and 55 per cent marks mandatory for teachers who have more than 20 years' teaching experience in a degree college. UGC notification No F3-2/99 (PS) dated 23.6.1999 sent to all Vice-Chancellors and state education secretaries states "55 per cent marks will not be insisted upon from the candidates (existing incumbents) who are already in the university system for principals, professors, readers, registrars etc."

Teaching and research are two different activities. The degree of Ph.D may hold good for a research scholar and teacher but not for an educational administrator. A college principal is required to have a clear vision, innovative ideas, sound legal knowledge and administrative acumen.

The Punjab Government has already waived the condition of Ph.D for the post of college principal for teachers having more than 20 years' teaching experience in a degree college. The Haryana Government should also issue similar guidelines so that deserving aspirants are not barred from applying for the post of principal.

UMESH KUMAR
Faridabad

Without vision

India's political leadership, reared in the tradition of feudalism, is still dominated by the personality cult and its decisions and policies are marked by individual idiosyncrasies. We lack institutional planning and adhocism and passing the buck are our guidelines even in the face of pressing problems.

Over more than 50 years, instead of devising a strategy based on a long-term vision, we have only compounded the Kashmir issue. In an unexplained craze for winning international acclaim we declared a unilateral ceasefire which has only facilitated qualitative escalation of terrorism. Our Government has allowed militant leaders to travel to Saudi Arabia which has been exporting terrorism to several countries including India.

Why should India allow any outside advice, including that of the USA, to influence our policy on bilateral issues like Kashmir. Did the USA seek the advice of any country or any Asian leader in pronouncing the condemnation of Osma-bin-Laden and threatening countries that provide him shelter or help?

VED GULIANI
Hisar

State of universities

Dr Amrik Singh has voiced his concern over the declining standard of education in our universities in his article 'Varsities in Punjab and Haryana' (Tribune Jan. 11).

The universities are places of higher education and should be guarded against political pushes and pulls. Sadly, higher education in these two states is in the doldrums.

The Chief Ministers are bent upon keeping all powers in their own hands. Even their ministers are denied their due because of excessive centralisation of powers. In such a political set-up, how can the universities reman untouched.

Bottlenecks and cumbersome formalities have virtually paralysed the universities. I once had to obtain my mark list. I had to visit the office for 15 days. The file had to be singed and countersigned by 10 junior and 11 senior officers!

A teacher who has been to England says that there you get you mark list from the department itself and the chairman is the sole authority to sign it.

We need such a system in India. But before this happens, we will have to be more responsible and honest.

JOGA SINGH
Kurukshetra