The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

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Train youth for jobs in private sector

The ban on fresh recruitment by the Punjab government has affected the unemployed youth very much. Students spend lot of money and time for a government job, but in vain. Clearly, in the present era of globalisation, jobs in the government sector are bound to shrink. Most jobs would also be on contract basis because governments are virtually bankrupt. Sadly, the youth are not skilled enough to get equivalent jobs in the private sector.

Since we attained Independence, the government failed to adopt a comprehensive employment-oriented education policy. The government should adopt a pragmatic approach by making use of both public and private infrastructure to train the youth to face the challenges of the new global economy.

It is now clear that jobs would be available only in the private sector. So, the government should encourage polices which facilitate the growth of jobs in the private sector. There is a need to develop a congenial atmosphere for investment and infrastructural development. Serious efforts alone would help yield concrete results.

PREETINDER SINGH, Punjabi University, Patiala

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TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Pension payment in Punjab

The news-item on the Finance Department's threat to public sector banks (PSBs) on pension over-payments in Punjab (Jan 22) brings to the fore the ineffective functioning of the respective banks. Owing to the lack of knowledge, excess payment to the tune of Rs 1.68 crore has been made to the pensioners by six PSBs. The Finance Department has mooted recently a proposal to consider private sector banks in place of PSBs for making pension payment.

Banks should refund the excess pension payment in lump sum to the Punjab government at once. In family pension cases, banks should reduce the enhanced family pension after seven years or till the deceased would have attained the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

The Finance Department should ensure that the pay orders of pensioners are issued by the respective Treasury Officers for onward submission to the respective banks from where they draw pension through their saving accounts as is being done in the case of government employees. Its plan to switch over the procedure of pension payment from PSBs to private banks may not be a prudent step now as neither the private banks nor the network at towns are familiar with the functioning of the government. Besides, complete computerisation of pensions is the need of hour.

Dr U.S. MALIK, Joint Director, Treasuries & Accounts, (Haryana), Chandigarh

Modi shows sense

At last, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has shown good sense. He not only restored holiday on Guru Nanak's birth anniversary, but also declared some more holidays on account of Good Friday, Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, etc.

Guru Nanak visited many distant places, including Mecca, for the spiritual uplift of the people of different religious persuasions and preached universal brotherhood, communal harmony, social equality and divine love. Mr Modi's action in cancelling the holiday on Guru Purab and, subsequently, restoring it following strong resentment among the Sikhs reminds me of a Persian saying: Chira kaarey kunad daana ke baad aayad pishemaani (Why should a wise person do something for which he may, subsequently, have to undergo humiliation?)

BHAGWAN SINGH, Qadian

While appreciating the editorial on the need to make holidays reflect nation's pluralism (Feb 7), I would like to bring to your attention that the Chandigarh Union Territory authorities have not declared holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act on April 18, 2005 on account of Sri Ram Navami. Hindus throughout the world celebrate Lord Ram's birthday with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. The Jammu and Kashmir Government has never declared holiday on Sri Ram Navami in their state. Is this not discrimination?

MANOHAR LAL, Panchkula

III

The Tribune has done well by drawing the attention of the Gujarat Government towards the cancellation of holiday on Guru Nanak's birth anniversary. It is good that the Chief Minister has restored the holiday. Political parties should not play politics on this issue since it is purely a religious matter.

M.P.S. RANDHAWA, Dhapai (Kapurthala)