M A I L B A G

Time to restore Hartron units at Gurgaon

I fully endorse the demand for restoring two centres of the Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation (Hartron) at Gurgaon (July 15). Why shift them to Ambala where the concerned optical and scientific instruments industry has already been provided with suitable facilities? No wonder, the costly equipment shifted from Gurgaon is lying unutilised at Ambala.

The two centres were set up to help SSIs invest in Gurgaon. Some specialised industrial estates like Udyog Vihar, Electronics city, Software and Hardware parks were established in a pollution-free belt of about 50 km on Delhi-Jaipur highway. The response was heartening. The government’s decision to shifting the two centres to Ambala was thus a breach of trust.

Gurgaon has become one of the fastest growth centres for software and outsourcing business from US and European countries. Known names like IBM, TCS, GE, Sony, Ericson, Hughes etc. have established their production here. Then, hundreds of call centres and medium and small-scale units have also set-up their operations in the region. As a result, the annual software export alone from Gurgaon is likely to reach Rs 10,000 crore, second only after Bangalore in the country. With the shifting of the centres, the industry feels cheated.

Dr K.S. BALAIN
(Former MD, Hartron),
Sonepat

Floods: learn from UK The monsoon has brought widespread relief for the Indian farmer. But alongside, it has wreaked havoc causing floods at a number of places. This is repeated year after year. The government should have a proper flood control system. In fact, India should take a lesson from the United Kingdom and have a proper disaster management system. The tsunami highlighted the sorry plight of our inadequacies in disaster management. The authorities concerned should take a serious note of this and act accordingly. RANDEEP MAHAL, Yamunanagar

Review decision

Haryana’s Excise and Taxation Department has decided that the dealers having an annual turnover of Rs 1 crore or more shall hereafter submit their annual returns only through Chartered Accountants. The government says that this would help stop harassment of dealers, ensure efficient tax administration and result in better revenues.

However, this is a unilateral decision and will lead to unemployment as over 50 per cent of sales tax practitioners are advocates. It will also affect the traders. It will be an expensive proposition for businessmen and may lead to inefficiency and overlapping of work. Therefore, the government should review the decision.

AYUSHI SACHDEVA,
Yamunanagar

From here & there

During a visit to Croydon, I was amazed at the attitude of the local police. One morning, my host found to her surprise that her two wheels of the car have been stolen and were replaced by bricks. When she rang up the police, she was told that while the crime number for purposes of insurance claim would be given the next day, no one will be visiting the site as it is no emergency, and she can get the car wheels replaced.

A very encouraging situation for small-time thieves who can graduate to higher crimes without the fear of the police. As this kind of police inaction can encourage false theft insurance as well, probably insurance people will have to engage private detectives for such crimes.

BALVINDER,
Camp: Croydon

End of the road?

A number of stalwarts, who were responsible for building the Shiv Sena are leaving the party. It will be definitely devastating to allow youngsters to totally control and run the party. As of today, the Shiv Sena will never gain majority in any elections. Even the bandhs they call from time to time are proving a flop show. Possibly, it is the end of the road for Balasaheb Thackeray.

H. PARSHURAM,
Mumbai

Not three stars

In the news-item “2000 militants lodged in POK camps along LOC: Army Chief” (July 20), Chief of Army Staff General J.J. Singh was shown with three stars on his collar. This is wrong. Obviously, an old photo of the General was used along with the report.

Moreover, Maj-Gen J.S. Lidder, Additional DGMO, was referred to as Lt-Gen J.S. Lidder.

RAKESH BHRANY,
Amritsar

Neglected bus stand

Come rainy season and you will read reports of villages marooned by floods and frequent land slips and cloud bursts wreaking havoc and causing untold misery and distress to the population. But no one has covered the sorry state of affairs of the Jalandhar bus stand. A heavy downpour is enough to give you the taste of what flood is like on a minor scale.

The periphery of the bus stand is covered with 3 to 4 feet of water. Rickshaw walas do brisk business in dropping you at the bus stand which is in a shambles. Once you are safe inside, you will notice water falling on you since the lintel is leaking at umpteen places.

We hear of the laudable work done in clearing the Kali Bien. Our charity irrespective of the religion to which we belong appears to be misplaced if we do not care to maintain the places of public interest. Should not NGOs step in to maintain the basic needs of the citizens?

ARVIND PURI, Kapurthala