M A I L B A G

Merit versus seniority in civil services

In his article “Supersessions in civil services: Unending stranglehold of seniority” (Sept 8), Inder Malhotra rightly observed that maintenance of healthy balance between merit and seniority is desirable. However, where there is even a slight tilt towards merit, the benefit should go to merit. The writer has also stated that clamour for sanctity of seniority originated in our armed forces. He has given the example of General Thimayya’s case, but overlooked the shining example set by Lt-General Rajindra Singh who turned down the offer to be the first Chief of the Army Staff in favour of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa (then Lt-General) senior to him.

The craze for higher promotions has now proliferated and afflicted the bureaucracy in equal measure. The decision to appoint Mr Shiv Shankar Menon as the next Foreign Secretary over a dozen officers senior to him is bold. His merit has been duly recognised. A three-year tenure is necessary for continuity and result-oriented performance. The writer’s suggestion to make selection from three batches (instead of two as proposed) is worthy of consideration. This would ensure elevation of the most deserving person for a long spell of service in the higher echelons of bureaucracy.

Brig H.S. CHANDEL (retd), Malanger (Una)

Sant Fateh Singh

This refers to “From the pages of The Tribune November 1, 1972” covering Sant Fateh Singh. Though an illiterate, he could read only the holy scriptures. He was brought to the forefront by some Akali leaders, with the help of former Chief Minister Partap Singh Kairon and former Revenue Minister Giani Kartar Singh to dislodge Master Tara Singh from the Sikh leadership.

Master Tara Singh always demanded a Punjabi Suba on linguistic basis. If Fateh Singh was so secular, why was his demand for Punjabi-speaking state not conceded by Jawaharlal Nehru?

Sant Fateh Singh did maximum harm to the cause of Punjabi Suba when he accepted the Shah Commission appointed by Indira Gandhi. There was no necessity of demarcating the Punjabi and Hindi-speaking areas. These were already demarcated in 1949 under the Sacher Formula and ratified by Parliament under the regional formula signed between Nehru and Master Tara Singh in 1956. None objected to this demarcation. It was Indira Gandhi’s design which prevented Chandigarh and other Punjabi-speaking areas
going to Punjab.

Major NARINDER SINGH JALLO (retd), Mohali

Khalsa Panth

The NCERT’s Plus Two history textbook describe the Khalsa Panth founded by Guru Gobind Singh as a terrorist organisation. This is factually wrong. The author does not have rudimentary knowledge of the Sikh history.

Guru Gobind Singh prayed to his father Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth guru, to lay down his life for the protection of Hindu dharma when Kashmiri Brahmins led by the Pt Kirpa Ram came to Anandpur Sahib in 1675. The child guru resolved at that time that he would create a new society under the banner of Khalsa Panth and fight against injustice and cruelty fearlessly.

The Panj Piare chosen by the Guru at the time of the creation of Khalsa in 1699 consisted of all sections of society including the castes which were ignored and oppressed 
for centuries.

B.S. KABERWAL, Supdt. Engineer (retd), Mohali

Stray dog menace

I refer to the letter “Shocking report” (Sept 13). As a rule, the municipality should kill unlicensed dogs. In India, efforts to sterilise male dogs have only resulted in siphoning off the earmarked funds to line the pockets of our politicians and officials.

In the zoos, there is a perpetual shortage of meat for the big cats and other carnivorous animals. As buffalo meat supplied to these animals is costlier, the latter are often underfed. Why not feed stray dogs to these animals in the zoos? Let the authorities give contracts to catch, slaughter and supply the stray dog meat to the zoos for such purposes.

Brig HARWANT SINGH (retd), Mohali

No exam in HP

The UGC and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have notified the joint test for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and eligibility for lectureship on December 24. However, there is no examination centre in Himachal Pradesh.

In this hilly terrain, bus is the most convenient way of transport. So it becomes very difficult for Himachal’s unemployed youths to attend the examination either at Jammu or Chandigarh. I request the UGC Chairman to allot an examination centre to Himachal Pradesh.

NEERAJ KANT, Dharamshala