M A I L B A G

Power reform plans should be realistic

The blueprint for power reforms in Punjab doesn’t take into account the ground reality that Punjab’s economy is basically based on agriculture and has its own imperatives for providing power infrastructure in every nook and corner of the state, irrespective of its economic viability.

It is, therefore, imperative that the government adopts a cautious and step by step approach to the question of unbundling of the state electricity board and undertakes minimum restructuring by setting up a suitable transmission utility to meet with requirements of Electricity Act 2003.

The need of the hour is to formulate a realistic plan for augmentation of generation and distribution of electricity to meet with ever rising demand for electricity. Thoughtless riding the bandwagon of power reforms is going to prove counter-productive.

S.C. Chabba Joint Secretary, PSEB Engineers Association, Ropar.

Father of reforms

Apropos of your editorial “Father of reforms” (December 24). You started your editorial by calling the late former PM PV Narasimha Rao as a bundle of contradictions. I wish you had been a little more kind to the departed soul.

He was a statesman and he was the one who kickstarted economic reforms whose positive results are seen now by the successive governments. These pioneering reforms greatly helped in galvanising the Indian economy. Dr Manmohan Singh, his Finance Minister then, calls him as his best teacher. Mr Narasimha Rao will also be remembered for managing the coalition politics which later Mr Vajpayee mastered in. His life was full of vicissitudes but that’s how life is for people who believe in action.

Let’s look at his positive contribution and let the departed soul rest in peace.

Madhu Singh, Ambala Cantt

Safety concerns

This has reference to the editorial “Thief, thief !” (December 21). Your observation regarding the protection of the M.P.s and their wealth is not new. Actually, the last NDA government, specially the then Home Minister (and his ministerial team) is also responsible for negligence of the security to the wealth of the national leaders.

Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, the Member of Parliament of the 9th and 13th (last) Lok Sabha, well in advance informed the Union Home Minister (Mr. L K Advani) and also the Minister of State for Home Affairs (Mr. I D Swami) that the security at South Avenue should be tightened. Some M.Ps (of minority communities) from Panjab and Kashmir are living there. A small portion (after breaking the iron grill, on the side of Flat no. 189, South Avenue) that is used by the pedestrians, as a short cut to Willington Crescent road, should be closed.

The M.P. also suggested that Prime Minister’s house at Race Course road should be shifted to a safer place. Teen Murti House, instead of Race Course house. There are high rise buildings (like Hotel Ashoka, Samrat) along with Safdarjung Airport very near. There is a big nullah also adjoining the P.M.’s house. The M.P. had written that the government should tighten the security measures, so that these buildings etc. may not be used for any terrorist activity.

If 10 Downing Street or The White House cannot be converted into a museum then why Teen Murti House!

Prof. GURSHARAN SINGH Parliamentary Secretary, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)

Back in the party

Uma Bharti is back in the party soon after her suspension. It is indicative of two facts. One, that she is morally right and indispensable for the party. Two, the BJP as a party is divided and its leadership is dithering.

At the moment the BJP appears to be in a bit of mess and lacks a clearcut aim. So, before it fights the Congress, it has to deal with its fight within. Will Mr Advani succeed? If not, does the BJP have a choice or will it fall back on the old horse - Mr Vajpayee? That will be really sad. Advani made a strategic mistake by accepting the presidentship of the party. It left no reserve in the senior leadership. He should have permitted a second generation leader to be the party president, keeping himself as trump card. Now the trump has also been played. The nation is watching the BJP very closely now - to see its true worth.

Anusha Singh, New Delhi