M A I L B A G

Follow CVC model for Vigilance Bureau

THE views expressed by P.H. Vaishnav in his article (June 29) throw some good light on the working of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau but the comments of Joginder Singh (July 2) are apparently based on misunderstanding of true facts.

Over the years the Vigilance Bureaus in most states, particularly in Punjab and Haryana have been largely misused by Chief Ministers to frame their personal and political adversaries. Some of the cases are apparently so frivolous that the investigation officers, apprehending adverse strictures by law courts, delay the investigation. For this reason scores of cases have been pending in the Punjab Vigilance Bureau for 10 to 22 years. The conviction rate of the cases registered by the State Vigilance Bureau is only 9.2 % as mentioned by Vaishnav.

If officers in the Vigilance Bureau resolve to discharge their duties honestly and in accordance with law, the conviction rate of corruption cases should be more than 90% because less than 10% cases registered by State Vigilance Bureau are such in which public servants are caught red-handed while accepting bribe. Conviction in such cases depends on the oral testimony of the witnesses, whereas in all other cases the criminal misconduct of public servants is to be proved through documentary evidence.

Joginder Singh has commented that the Chief Secretary generally protects officers of his “biradari” and he generally delays permission for their prosecution in corruption cases. Police officials are also rarely booked because senior police officials heading the Vigilance Bureau are equally prone to protect their “biradari”.

R.S. MALIK, Panchkula

Badal’s defeat in polls The Akali Dal (Badal) was routed in the Vidhan Sabha elections. Later it got the drubbing in the municipality and panchayat elections. Now it has been routed in the Delhi gurdwara elections. Instead of doing introspection, Mr Badal is harping on the Congress support to Mr Tohra. He should take “saniyas” from politics and use his talent and energy to look after his vast empire. Major NARINDER SINGH JALLO (retd), Kapurthala

B.Tech courses

G.N.D. University admitted 80 students for B.Tech courses for the regional centre at Jalandhar through the G.E.T. 2002-2003. The students who reached the R.C. on July 1 were surprised to see the classrooms still under construction. There was no official to carry out formalities (like deposit of the remaining fee for the course).

The university’s B.Tech courses both at Jalandhar and Gurdaspur are not approved by the A.I.C.T.E. The university conducted G.E.T. against the rules of the A.I.C.T.E. According to public notice issued by the A.I.C.T.E. published in The Tribune on June 29, no institute can conduct exams for the technical courses without the approval of the A.I.C.T.E. It seems the university is playing with the future of students. Parents are under tremendous pressure after paying fees.

TAJINDER SINGH SHERGILL, Amritsar

Beant Singh Park

Jalandhar’s Beant Singh Park presents a deserted look. The outside hedge and the signboard have vanished. The electric poles are without electricity. Huge weeds have grown up in the surroundings. Nobody expects such a grave neglect, at least from the present government.

RAJESH SHARMA, Jalandhar

Toll tax at Karnal

People who travel to Delhi from Chandigarh pay a toll tax of Rs 50 at Karnal. Paying rupees fifty just to pass one barrier is totally unjustified. For what are we paying road tax, excise tax, sales tax, income tax etc?

GURBINDER S. HIRA, by e-mail