M A I L B A G

Need to remove anomalies in PNDT Act

Reference the report “Audit ultrasound scan centres to check foeticide, says expert” (April 24). Mr Arvind Kumar, Collector and District Magistrate, Hyderabad, has rightly said that decline in sex ratio is more of a technology-aided evil than a social evil. His success shows it all depends on how the Act is implemented.

If a doctor does not do an ultrasound, than how can one know the sex of the baby? I differ with him when he says that the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Test (PNDT) Act is a powerful legislation. These laws are far from ground realities and ultimately become tools to harass honest doctors.

The PNDT Act has an in-built defect as both the patient and the doctor are guilty. Who will first file a complaint and, if so, who will testify against self? Most cases fail with no conviction. In our Bathinda PNDT cell, Mr Anurag Aggarwal, the then Deputy Commissioner, did a good job. But his efforts failed because he did not consult medical experts to access which cases are fit for prosecution.

Dr VITULL K. GUPTA, Bathinda

Govt must ban the film The film “Jo Bole So Nihal” should be immediately banned. The words “Jo Bole So Nihal” are part of a Sikh’s daily ardas which is sacred in content and cannot be tinkered with. Why only this name for the film, and why is Sunny Deol named Nihaal Singh? In the former case, could entertainment tax relief in a state be the reason, and in the latter, providing an escape route to the director in having a protagonist as one performing his screen role? Why have promos with the words “no if, no but, sirf Jatt!” which differentiates between Jats and non-Jats in the Sikh community? The Jathedar Akal Takht’s sub-committee should not have rushed through the clearance. The Censor Board and the SGPC should ensure that any depiction by subtle inference or action does not hurt the feelings of any community. The Censor Board should include in its panel eminent Sikhs for suitable advice on such matters. The same holds good for the SGPC, Amritsar. Maj-Gen HIMMAT SINGH GILL (retd), Chandigarh

Painless sheering

I endorse Mr John Fisher’s views in his letter “In defence of Australian wool” (April 28). The Indian designers should reconsider their decision of not using Australian wool because of the practice of mulesing of sheep.

Australia is committed to animal welfare. You will not find a single cow, dog or any other animal even on the suburban roads of Australia, unlike in India. The cattle and pets in Australia are kept at proper places under proper supervision and care.

Recently, during a visit to Koala Park in Sydney, I saw a demonstration for the young school children pertaining to electronically sheep sheering process which took about eight to 10 minutes of painless sheering. It was an amazing scene and a wonderful experience.

Australia is exploring an alternative pain-free alternative to mulesing of sheep and has almost developed non-surgical approach of removing wool bearing skin from the crutch area. Hence the Indian designers should bear with their wool industries.

Dr P.K. VASUDEVA, Thornleigh (Australia)

Improve roads

The condition of roads in Raikot constituency is very bad. As the MLA has been from the Opposition, the government and the ruling party do not bother about developing this area. This is most unfortunate. The authorities concerned should repair roads in public interest.

AMAN DEEP SINGH, Raikot

Unreserved coaches

Though many trains run from Amritsar to New Delhi, except one or two compartments, all others are reserved in all the trains. As a result, passengers are facing hardship. The need of the hour is to increase the number of unreserved compartments in all the trains from Amritsar to New Delhi.

SANJAY CHAWLA, Amritsar

A graceful act

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda promptly announced more than 150 per cent increase in the state pension of freedom fighters. This unprecedented act has gone unnoticed. Former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral doubled the Central pension of freedom fighters on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Independence.

JAI GOPAL SHARMA, Yamunanagar