M A I L B A G

Need to emulate Bhiwani’s blood donors

I was elated to read the editorial “Blood relations” (Nov 18). The fact that a record 5,000 people donated blood in Bhiwani speaks of the human face of Haryana’s people and politicians. As a star blood donor myself (B Negative), I know how important it is to make voluntary blood donation a habit. We still have to import blood because there is not enough blood available in our blood banks.

Luckily, organisations like Chirag in Chandigarh have come up to meet the shortage. But these organisations can succeed only if all of us between 18 and 65 years, regularly donate blood. For the success of the voluntary blood donation movement, government hospitals should play a more proactive role.

I have seen young volunteers going for blood donation with all the motivation and sentiments but often doctors and nurses take their blood mechanically. They hardly differentiate between a relative donor and a voluntary donor. This puts them off.

When a person voluntarily donates blood, he must be made to feel special. Doctors and blood bank staff must talk to him and applaud his noble gesture. It must be followed with a letter of appreciation within a week. This will spur him to become a regular donor. This is human.

— Colonel R.D. SINGH, Commandant, 213 Transit Camp, Jammu

Internet connection

Reports say that in foreign countries there is Online convergence and that there would be free Internet television debut from next year. As Internet connection is the most knowledgeable source today, it is a must for students and all in public interest. In some foreign countries it is free of cost. But in India, it is still an expensive affair.

The lowest rate is Rs 199 per month by MTNL, but with taxes and modem rent etc. it comes to Rs 279 a month. And there is no unlimited download with it. The maximum cost per month including taxes, modem rent etc. should not be more than Rs 200 with unlimited downloads.

MAHESH KAPASI, New Delhi

Towards mutual cooperation This has reference to the editorial “Partners in Progress” (Oct 27). I endorse the view that neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana should team up for each other’s progress. Being sensible neighbours, they can develop effective rapport. By sincerely realising each other’s necessities, they can help themselves. The old barter system can serve as a fine example for them in which a neighbour exchanges food for clothes and vice versa. Since the Congress is ruling both states, mutual understanding will help resolve the inter-state river waters dispute. The Sutlej-Yamuna Canal has been bone of contention between the two. A joint front should be formed with mutual consensus to tackle such issues. True welfare of the people of both states lies in mutual cooperation. — SONU LOHAT, Lecturer, Ch. Devi Lal University, Sirsa

VIP squatters

Sadly, politicians, who are our lawmakers, have become law breakers. These include politicians of all hues including leaders. A large percentage of those occupying government bungalows/flats in New Delhi are overstaying, depriving others, the entitled ones, to occupy them.

Clearly, joining politics has become a business to serve their own interest and nothing else. As advised by the Supreme Court, the VIP squatters should be thrown out of their houses after January, 2006.

— SARDAR SINGH, Jalandhar

One-time entry tax

India is one from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, but not at inter-state borders where one has to shell out a handsome amount to enter and leave. At Lakhanpur, where we enter from Punjab to Jammu and Kashmir, the toll tax is Rs 65 per car per entry. If you return immediately, you have to pay another Rs 65. It should be valid for 24 hours as in other states.

At the Parwanoo Barrier, the entry tax of Rs 30 is valid for 24 hours; it is not to be charged at all on return. This high and double tax system breeds corruption. The taxmen are corrupt.

Thousands of vehicles pass through Lakhanpur everyday. The authorities should check corruption and charge only one-time entry tax.

— Dr PAWAN DVIWEDI, Panchkula

Irrational promotions

There is a hue and cry about the promotion of Principals in Punjab’s Senior Secondary Schools. The vocational masters don’t enjoy the designation of lecturer. If they claim that they teach +1 and +2 classes, why are they not designated as lecturers?

One must be a post-graduate with B.Ed to become a school lecturer. If a vocational master stakes claim for promotion as Principal, teachers teaching social studies, science or mathematics are also entitled to the post because most of them are postgraduates and even Ph.Ds with teaching experience of over 20 years.

If the quota system has to prevail, as in the case of headmasters and vocational masters in the promotion of Principals, why not give this quota to those from the JBT and master cadres also? Clearly, only lecturers and highly qualified and experienced teachers should be promoted as Principals in the Senior Secondary Schools.

— DALJIT SINGH, Kiratpur Sahib (Ropar)

Why exempt notings?

One wonders why there is objection to excluding bureaucrats’ file notings, which do not form the basis of a final decision, from the purview of the Right to Information Act, particularly when reasons/grounds for judges’ decisions stand already so excluded.

The common man is not interested in knowing such irrelevant notings. However, he is keenly interested in knowing the reasons for an unfavourable verdict in his case. Such reasons are generally not revealed particularly at the High Court and the Supreme Court. As to why the same are not accessible to the litigants even under the much-extolled RTI Act is beyond one’s comprehension.

— VISHWA MITRA, Panipat