M A I L B A G

Two-party system for stability

Apropos of Subhash C. Kashyap’s article “Time for two-party system” (March 15), the two-party system would ensure political stability. This will also promote development, unity and integrity of the country. At the same time, the other parties (small and regional) should come forward with clear ideology and ally with any one of the national parties.

Biparty system will create political space for small and regional parties at the national level. The general public will have more confidence while casting their vote in favour of the national party through their own party. This system would also save a lot of public funds being spent on unnecessary advertisements, rallies, rath yatras and so on. All the political parties should introspect over the two-party system and set an example in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

HARISH MONGA, Ferozepur City

II

There were as many as 45 political parties in the dissolved Lok Sabha and, surprisingly, 16 of them had only one member each! Isn’t it making a mockery of democracy? Such splinter groups should be debarred from contesting the polls. Regional parties should contest only the State Assembly elections. This will pave the way for a two-party system. The Opposition party, under this system, should have a “Shadow Cabinet”, as in the UK for healthy criticism and constructive suggestions. The two major parties should shun politics of confrontation.

Wg-Cdr C.L. SEHGAL (retd), Jalandhar

III

Subash C Kashyap writes: “From the perspective of the citizens’ interest, it would be ideal if one of the two national parties — the Congress or the BJP — is in power and the other in the Opposition.” How can a party, which fails to secure at least 50 per cent of the total Lok Sabha seats claim to form the government? A party should be recognised only if it secures at least half the seats in Parliament or the State Assembly.

OM PARKASH WADHWA, Gohana, Haryana

IV

I endorse the suggestion for a two-party system. Too many regional parties are not good for a country. They align with one party or the other and create political instability. This would not be possible if we have a good biparty system.

DINESH MONGRA, Kangra

Treat lecturers equally This has reference to the Haryana government’s prescribed qualifications for the post of Professor according to which a college lecturer who has been working for say 25 years or more with research work and published articles, is not considered fit to move to the post-graduate teaching departments. However, the University Grants Commission has some soft-corner for college lecturers, by prescribing that “In exceptional cases, experience of 15 years may be considered.” Why college lecturers are subjected to stepmotherly treatment? Isn’t it a clear violation of the right to equality? How can research-oriented persons be blocked at the college level? Why have Readers in colleges? Unfortunately, college lecturers are not being given any credit for their work. Even if a person is talented, engaged in high quality research, publishes articles in national and international journals and is a member of national and international associations, he/she is not found suitable even to appear before the selection committee. Talented candidates are not given an opportunity to prove their credentials. It is the duty of the government to recognise the same qualifications for Lecturers, Readers and Professors as prescribed by the UGC. Equal treatment should be given to college and university lecturers. Dr SWARAN LATA, Univesity College, Rohtak

Reconsider decision

The Punjab government’s decision to shift 10+1 and 10+2 classes from colleges to schools needs review because there are neither proper labs and equipment nor adequate experienced lecturers and lab staff to teach science subjects in the schools.

The government’s lopsided move will make the experienced staff of the colleges idle and unutilised. Moreover, it will be difficult for the students to get good marks if 10+1 and 10+2 science classes are shifted from colleges to schools. The state government should reconsider the decision in the larger interest of science students who have to compete for the PMT, CET and other competitions.

RAJ KUMAR AGGARWAL, Kotkapura

Black is beautiful

This refers to the article “Ghost of a chance” by Ameeta Sen (March 16). She narrates the touching story of a girl, Rekha, for her triple offence — she is a girl, she is dark and poor. I wish someone had the courage to hold her back and fight for her. We, in India, are obsessed with white colour. I have a maid who almost scared us when she came. Now almost after seven months she is just like a family member to us. With proper diet, care, recognition and love, her complexion started changing. She is much fairer and healthier now.

Other than genetic reasons, most of these maids are dark because of malnutrition and lack of proper rest. Once they are properly fed, they start looking no different than us. On our part, we should value the comfort they give to us. They do all the dirty household chores for us and make us relax in neat and clean houses. Even in our own homes, we find it difficult to do the kind of work they do.

With the realisation that my maid is a boon for me and I am indebted to her for making me lead a life of luxury, even a dark girl working for me is the most beautiful.

LALITA JAGMOHAN SINGH, Chandigarh

Non-pension retirees

I have gone through the debate on non-retirees’ problems in these columns. It is true that the condition of the retirees is very serious. Once they retire, their problems start in the absence of regular income. Even their accumulated income starts falling rapidly, thanks to the overall declining rates of interest. PO schemes like MIS prove inadequate because one can invest in such schemes only up to a limit. Even LIC has reduced the pension on annuity.

The only thing that can help retirees such as teachers of private colleges is that the rates of interest be increased for such people and that the interest thus earned should be free from Income-Tax. The only investment hitherto left out of the purview of income tax was PPF. But even in this case too, the interest rate has been reportedly reduced. The government should do something for such employees who have no pension to fall back upon after they retire.

Prof P.K. GUPTA, Bathinda