M A I L B A G

Follow norms for new colleges

I refer to the news report, “PU moots tough schedule for granting affiliation to colleges” (Oct 24). Instead of framing new rules, strict enforcement of existing rules would be more effective for the proper administration of recognised colleges. A university’s authority cannot be spelt out exhaustively in its statutes. By its decisions and attitude, it is expected to build up such moral authority.

A pre-condition for a non-government college’s affiliation is a regularly constituted governing body with 11-21 members having a three-year tenure. It is the governing body and not the trust or society, of a recognised college which is the competent appointing and punishing authority of its staff. The PU syndicate is well aware that some colleges (particularly of DAV group) are functioning without validly constituted governing bodies. The VC and the Dean, College Development Council, have failed to pull up these erring colleges.

Colleges with sub-standard equipment and personnel are being granted affiliation. Even the UGC seems helpless. In the Ravneet Kaur case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has rightly ruled that the colleges must follow the university rules in the matter of recruitment, conditions of service and conduct of teachers.

ANIL BHATIYA, D.N. College, Hisar

Focus on English

The debate on the importance of English has again started. The Karnataka government has now introduced English in all schools right from Class I. Students in school need to be taught all possible languages at different stages. This doesn’t mean that we are depriving them of their mother tongue, which, in our case, is Hindi.

We take pride in citing China as an example. However, while China is welcoming English for making the 2008 Olympics a grand success, we are depriving our children of reaping the fruits of English.

Outside India, people don’t understand Hindi; English is the universal language. Our children will lose their competitive edge in the global market if we shut our doors to English. Let’s embrace, and not scrap, English.

DEEPIKA BATRA, New Delhi

Medical allowance

The Punjab government’s announcement to increase medical allowance of its staff and pensioners from Rs 250 to Rs 350 a month is most welcome. The teaching and non-teaching staff working in government-aided private colleges also appeal to the government to increase their medical allowance from Rs 250 to Rs 350.

ANTAR JYOTI GHAI, Ludhiana

Welcome legislation

There has been a drastic change in the social and family structure. Even bus conductors do not deal with elderly persons with compassion and respect. The elderly are also hit hard financially.

The proposed law by the Union Ministry of Social Justice is a step in the right direction, belated though. The law must provide for food delivery at home, medical treatment, transportation facilities and some social and cultural responsibilities for the elderly.

ONKAR SINGH RIAR, New Delhi

Ruling on Godhra

The Centre should seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on the Gujarat High Court’s judgement on the Banerjee panel set up to investigate the Godhra fire. Apparently, the setting up of the Banerjee committee was guided by political reasons and its findings are disputed.

However, to term the committee report as illegal is surely contentious. A review by the apex court will help clear the confusion among ordinary citizens not familiar with the intricacies of law.

PRANAV SACHDEVA, New Delhi

Long overdue

The Delimitation Commission headed by Justice Kuldip Singh has done well to de-reserve parliamentary and Assembly constituencies as was being done in case of panchayats and municipalities under Article 243 G of the Constitution. This was long overdue; rotation once in 10 years is a must for social justice.

In the interest of communal peace and harmony, the percentage of quotas in seats should be fixed on the basis of the strength of communities/ religious groups as it stood on Aug 15, 1947 or according to the census figures of 1951. This will, among other things, help check poverty and population control.

Lt-Col DAYA SINGH (retd), Chandigarh

‘Misuse of govt vehicles’

This refers to the letter headlined “Misuse of govt vehicles” published in the Letters to the Editor column of this newspaper on October 6, 2006. The letter was published in good faith and without any ill-will or intent to raise doubts over the integrity of anybody.

While every care is taken to crosscheck the claims in such letters, slips of such nature can sometimes occur. The Tribune regrets the publication of the letter, which could have caused hurt to the Secretary, Himachal Academy of Arts.

— Editor