M A I L B A G

We must stop open loot of public money

The editorial “Aaj Ka MLA” (June 20) aptly says that there is a nexus between the legislature and the executive. Otherwise, the Delhi Chief Minister would have not ingratiated herself to pay the electricity bills of IAS officers. In this row, Chief Ministers even may pass orders to foot the bills of expenses of domestic households of their MLAs and bureaucrats.

I may quote a pertinent Urdu couplet: Qazi ne mil-baith ke baant li hurein,/ ab aiy khuda teri jannat mein dhara kya hai. There is no mechanism to check this open loot except showing the exit door to the culprits during the elections.

RIKHI DASS THAKUR, Palbhu (Hamirpur)

II

It is scandalous that the Punjab government is paying the income-tax on the salary and allowances of Punjab’s ministers and MLAs. The state exchequer is already cash-strapped. Consider the other freebies given to these netas like medical facilities, telephones, electricity and travel.

I am a pensioner. I pay income-tax even on my fixed medical allowance every month (Rs 250) and dearness relief. Why can the representatives of the people not pay tax out of their pockets? A Finance Commission should determine the salaries, perks and tax liabilities of MLAs and ministers. Even the Queen of England pays all the taxes like any other common person. Are our legislators above the law of the land?

BASANT SINGH BRAR, Bathinda

III

It is strange that the Punjab government is wasting public money on paying the income-tax of its ministers, MLAs and parliamentary secretaries. How can a government, which cannot provide jobs to the youth owing to fund crunch, give full tax benefit to ministers, MLAs and others?

SATYA PARKASH SHARMA, Nawanshahr

Promote Punjabi in HP At present, there are Punjabi academies in Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. Many people in Himachal speak and understand Punjabi very well. The Himachal government is also of the view that next to Hindi, Punjabi is spoken by a large number of people. I met Himachal Minister for Revenue and Panchayati Raj Sat Mahajan in Chandigarh recently and presented him a petition urging him to set up a Punjabi Academy in Himachal for the promotion and development of Punjabi language and culture. Punjabi should be accorded the second language status in the state. NARINDER SINGH, Chandigarh

Certified copies

This has reference to the news-item, “Instant delivery of High Court order copies” (June 22). Obtaining certified copies of the High Court orders has been a tough job. After the case is decided, no further action is possible unless the certified copy is given to the party. Steps being taken by the High Court for delivering copies of the orders instantly are really appreciable.

Another difficulty which the advocates and the litigants face is to know the present status of pending cases which are old enough, say, 20 to 25 years. A separate counter providing instant information of a particular case will help litigants immensely.

B.S. BHATIA, Chandigarh

Small favour

I refer to Jatinder Gill’s letter (June 23). He is bothered about the medical facilities given to the parents of ex-servicemen, but he does not know about the pain and agony of those parents whose sons have died in wars and in counter-insurgency operations in J&K, Assam, Nagaland and many states.

Our soldiers (all ranks) are lowly paid compared to those in the civil services whereas in other countries the soldiers are paid well and are a highly respected lot. What if the government has extended this small favour of ECHS treatment to their parents?

GURDEV SINGH, Patiala

A correction

Apropos of my article “Siachen talks: Don’t repeat past mistakes” (June 29), the Chander Bhaga tributary of the Chenab is not the source of the river Beas, as published, but flows close to the source near the Rohtang pass.

Brig HARWANT SINGH (retd), Mohali

The error is regretted. — Editor