M A I L B A G

Tribunals to help defence personnel

The Centre’s decision to set up defence tribunals at New Delhi, Jammu, Lucknow, Guwahati, Chennai and Mumbai or Pune is welcome. However, one of them should be set up in Chandigarh for prompt dispensation of justice.

Though Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are major contributors of personnel to the armed forces, they will have to go either to Jammu or New Delhi tribunals. Moreover, two questions arise about the Delhi tribunal. Will it have original jurisdiction or only appellate jurisdiction? And will it entertain cases of those hailing from these states also? If so, it will be overburdened.

In the interest of justice, a defence tribunal should be set up in Chandigarh. This will help those living in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh as also ease the workload of the Delhi tribunal.

Earlier, the defence personnel were approaching the High Courts of the states concerned for relief. This was a costly exercise because of the court fee and other expenses.

Lt-Col ANGAD SINGH (retd), Mohali

II

Except the one in Jammu, the defence tribunals at all other places are not within the easy reach of the defence personnel and retirees settled in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. This region has the bulk of the defence personnel, serving and retired. We, therefore, appeal to the Union Government to set up a defence tribunal at Chandigarh.

Lt-Col CHANAN SINGH DHILLON (retd), Ludhiana

Pay scale blues

This refers to the editorial “Pay panel pill” (Feb 3). It is time the Centre constituted the sixth pay commission for its employees. The present pay structure has become outdated. The employees of the state governments also expect reasonable hike in pay. The pay commission should ensure that the much-needed administrative reforms do not lag behind.

Work culture is another point that should be taken care. If the administration has to be revamped in the public sector, there must be provisions to evaluate the performance of every official in public interest. Dereliction of duty should not be tolerated at any cost.

DES RAJ PATHANIA, Hamirpur

II

Constituting another pay commission is a time consuming and costly exercise. Therefore, the government should merge the prevailing allowances and perks admissible to employees in their basic pay and then workout the new grades by giving an increase to the tune of 40 to 50 per cent on total emoluments so worked out. This process was followed by the Fifty Pay Commission in 1996.

B.K. CHOPRA, Amritsar

Recover dues

Some of our ministers, MPs and MLAs do not pay rent for official accommodation. Those who complete their tenure refuse to vacate houses. They also don’t pay telephone and power bills. The common man, however, is harassed. He has to submit a no-due certificate while leaving the college, registration of property, or to get a final examination roll number.

The Election Commission must ensure that candidates contesting elections submit a no-objection certificate from all the departments concerned while filing their nomination forms. They must declare that they do not owe dues to any state government, autonomous body etc. and that they have cleared all the bills.

SURENDRA M. BHANOT, Chandigarh

Helping farmers

The government should provide functional autonomy, sufficient funds and a congenial research environment for scientists. It should also ensure proper extension services and effective scientist-farmer interaction to equip farmers with latest knowledge and techniques to boost agricultural productivity. The farmers need guidance on how to protect and conserve the richness of soil and water.

If the government can evolve a holistic approach in respect of industry, agriculture and rural infrastructure under the guidance of scientists, significant results can be achieved .

SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala

Bihar’s heritage

During a visit to many religious and historical places like Nalanda, Shri Harmandir Sahib, Bodh Gaya, Vishnupath temple, Veeryatan in Bihar recently, I was amazed by the cleanliness and upkeep. At the gurudwara, every action was carried out in a systematic manner.

The Vishnupath temple is a unique piece of architecture. However, its beauty has been destroyed by the heaps of garbage lying outside its premises. Continuous pestering of visitors by the local purohits for tips was another problem here. The temple trust should find a solution to this problem.

HIMANSHU SHARMA, Dharamshala

Prevent suicides

As the number of suicides is going up in the country, there is need for a comprehensive study on its causes. Sigmund Freud once said, “People who commit suicide are either afraid of harming others or afraid of losing their own senses”. May be, more therapists and counsellors are required in the country to help such tormented souls.

Society as a whole needs to become more aware of the problems and form a better support network to prevent suicides in the future.

ROHIT MOHAN SHARMA, Shimla