M A I L B A G

What needs to be done to recover dues

THE Bank Securitisation Act gives additional powers to banks to act in defaulting cases and recover the pending dues. The All India Bank Employees’ Association has also been demanding a similar law for recovery of huge outstanding amount to the tune of over Rs 1 lakh crore. Incidentally, according to reports, the Act has not met with substantial success and even the AIBEA has criticised both the government and the bank management for its half-hearted efforts.

Ironically, the government has failed to draw a line between a “wilful defaulter” and the one falling a victim to circumstances. Moreso, a petty businessman owing a mere Rs 5-10 lakh to the bank, with his personal residence etc., as a collateral, is placed on the same line along with a tycoon running a unit worth over Rs 300 crore.

There should be a two-pronged strategy for better results. First, the action should start from the biggest defaulter and then move downwards. Secondly, an outstanding, say up to Rs 10 lakh, supported by a self-occupied residential premises as a collateral, should be viewed separately and, wherever possible, given relief (based upon the merit of the case) to rehabilitate the unit, because cases pertaining to this category do not have “siphoned-off” capital to pay their debts and definitely need a relief to rehabilitate themselves.

devika sharma, Jalandhar

Low interest rates

Dwindling bank interest rates and consequent diminishing interest income has caused great anxiety to senior citizens who have been depending upon fixed interest incomes for livelihood. Most developed countries offer social security by which some percentage of income proportionate to the tax paid by the person is given by the government when the person is in distress or retires from job or profession on reaching a particular age.

It is time the government considered this and a scheme for senior citizens to help alleviate their financial problems in old age. This will also encourage tax compliance.

r.p. bedi, Chandigarh

Fugitives from law Evading arrest or abstaining from joining investigation by the accused has become common these days. Most culprits who evade arrest are generally well placed. In the last few months, IAS and IPS officers, judicial magistrates, artists and so on have gone underground to avoid arrest. By indulging in this unlawful act, they are liable to influence the witnesses by allurement or threats. This also adds to the workload of the investigating authorities. Such kind of disrespect and contempt of the law by fugitives, big fish or ordinary citizens, needs to be curbed firmly. If necessary, the panel code should be amended to include a clause that if anybody runs away from the judicial process, he will be charge-sheeted ex-parte under the relevant sections and punished accordingly. j.k. mago, Panchkula

Commonwealth games

The editorial “Now New Delhi” (Nov 17) is inspiring. In 2010, the history of 1982 Asian Games will not only be repeated, but also add new colours and laurels. India, the host country, will show its worth as a land of games since vedic times. Pakistan deserves our thanks for supporting our bid for hosting the next Commonwealth Games. This brings the hostile neighbours closer through people-to-people contact.

India should gear up for the historic opportunity and popularise games from the village to the national level by involving the whole nation.

hari singh, Jhajjar

Official’s tantrums

Mrs Geetanjali Gayatri’s report “Teacher proposes, Director exposes” (Nov 13) presents the wayward tantrums of an arrogant officer towards his helpless subordinates. It is easy to put questions but difficult to answer correctly. For instance, one can ask the difference between GNP and GDP and may get a wrong answer to show the incompetence of teachers. But could Mr Khullar himself tell the Hindi terminology of Net National Product or Net Domestic Product at factor cost?

The means used by him are in no way different from those that of an authoritarian regime, bent on humiliating teachers. It will not be a joke if the Education Secretary, the Director of Secondary Education, Haryana, and this writer are asked to appear in Matriculation examination tomorrow, possibly, we all will fail. The Editor-in-Chief of Tribune may be an exception.

If the Department of Education, Haryana, is interested in improving educational standards, it could organise inservice refresher training courses for all categories of teachers and create a network of competent staff with adequate academic inputs.

manmohan kapur, Gurgaon

Goal of education

The article “Education getting messed up” by Mr Himmat Singh Gill speaks rightly of the sorry state of affairs in our universities. They have suffered a crippling handicap and if they are to be rejuvenated, powerful steps are needed to convert stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

Mr Gill is right when he says that any cosmetic solution will not do. Any scheme of education should lead to eventual employment and education. Our Vice-Chancellors’ should not be stymied by calendars and councils. Our politicians should not be allowed to harass the Vice-Chancellors. Only upright and effective Vice-Chancellors can convert the stumbling blocks into stepping stones. Only their education can become an instrument of social change.

hans raj jain, Moga