M A I L B A G

Lip-service to human resource development

Economists advocate the need for human resource development (HRD) for higher economic growth. The Himachal Pradesh government did not seem to bother much about this while signing an MoU with the Centre for fiscal reforms. In one of the MoU’s clauses, the HP government has agreed to cut grant-in-aid to aided colleges from Sept 30, 2004. This will affect the working conditions and productive efficiency of the teachers.

The college employees in HP are not entitled to pension after retirement, leave encashment, medical reimbursement and gratuity. Under the grant-in-aid head, the government pays only 95 per cent to the salary head. The salary helps only in the subsistence of the workers.

Most rural colleges don’t have funds to meet such cuts. The people are not rich enough to purchase seats under the self-financed courses. For example, the GGD SD College, Baijnath, has not been getting regular grants. The employees have to wait for six to eight months for marginal payments. As a result, employees often go on strike.

Dr SUMAN SACHAR, GGD SD College, Baijnath (HP)

Contractors’ plight

Though Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talks of promoting entrepreneurship and setting up a commission for the unorganised labour, the government machinery treats entrepreneurs like animals. Contractors, for example, pool their meager resources and provide employment to unorganised workers. The government pays pay 10 to 15 per cent commission to those working in the engineering departments. Money has to be paid right from the issuance of tender papers, allotment of work, supervision, passing of estimate, time extension, arbitration claims to obtain a tax deducted at source certificate or even refund of earnest money.

S. KUMAR, Chandigarh

Message for all

Kuldip Nayar’s article “Guru Granth Sahib’s message for all” (Sept 1) was thought-provoking. He really called a spade a spade. Let the intellectuals come forward with their free and frank comments, rising above personal alignments and interests.

NACHHATTAR SINGH, Ludhiana

Re-open post office

The Post Office (Code No. 143423) for India’s first Nucleus Industrial Complex at Goindwal Sahib in Amritsar district, working in the Complex for over a decade, has now been closed down. This is causing hardship to people as the small post office in the village is too far. The post office should be re-opened in the said Complex in the interest of all.

GURBACHAN SINGH VIRDI, Goindwal-Sahib

Yash Raj films

Yash Raj films, patronised by flagbearer Yash Chopra, an eternal romanticist, has come of age. With the latest presentation of “Dhoom”, it is clear the tunes have changed. Dhoom has really taken over romance which has been the hallmark of almost all the Yash Raj creations.

Not surprisingly, Yash Chopra is leaving the films, with the last romantic presentation Veer-Zaara. Wishing all the best to Yash Chopra.

Dr SACHIN KAUSHAL, Patiala

Brain drain

Today many professionals are going abroad for better job opportunities and to earn more money. This trend is increasing like fashion. Going abroad for studies and better career prospects is not bad. But what is deplorable is the tendency among some people to settle there and speak ill of their motherland.

NEHA KALIA, Yamunanagar

Trapping monkeys

The efforts of the Shimla Municipal Corporation and the Forest Department to catch and deport monkeys from Shimla is laudable. It is also drawing appreciation from all quarters.

What concerns me, however, is that this trap-monkey exercise is going on in and around Jakhu. Consequently, a large number of monkeys have concentrated in the Majitha House area of Chhotta Shimla at the foot of Jakhu hill. I urge the authorities to deploy one trap squad in the Majitha House area to relieve people of monkey fear. 

JAGDISH SHARMA, Shimla

Of Ghaggar bridge  Following the closure of the Ghaggar bridge on NH 73 near Majri, the traffic has been diverted through the new Ghaggar bridge on the road passing through Sectors 3 and 21 extension since August 4, 2004. About 20,000 vehicles pass over this bridge daily and there is a blockade almost everyday on the diversion road (west of the new bridge) on account of the settlement colony of the migrant labour, called Azad Colony, because of the stay granted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The commuters are the worst sufferers. One can imagine the large consumption of petrol and diesel by vehicles which are stranded for hours on both sides, besides wastage of precious time of the commuters. I would request the Haryana government to appeal to the Punjab and Haryana High Court and seek vacation of the stay order. This will help straighten the road through Azad Colony. GURBUX SINGH, Chandigarh