M A I L B A G

Take measures to check price rise

THE Congress Working Committee’s concern about the spiralling prices and its appeal to the UPA government at the Centre to hold the price line is amusing. For, while the Congress is the principal party in the ruling coalition at the Centre, some of its members are holding responsible positions in the government whose faulty policies are the root cause of the price rise.

The prices of pulses, edible oils, wheat and sugar have been rising with the service tax hike in the Union Budget from 10 to 12 per cent. With the import of wheat at an exorbitant rate, the flour prices have started increasing and gold has been hovering around Rs 9,000 for 10 gm. Except for a marginal cut in the prices of petrol and diesel, there is no discernible fall in the prices of essential commodities.

Clearly, there is no problem with production or distribution, but with the businessmen and traders who are hoarding huge quantities of wheat and other commodities in connivance with politicians and bureaucrats.

There is an urgent need to curb forward trading to prevent hoarding. The Centre would do well to read the writing on the wall and take suitable measures to check the price rise.

S.K. KHOSLA, Chandigarh

Correct ruling

Mumbai TADA Judge P.D. Kode has rightly acquitted Sanjay Dutt of the serious charge of conspiracy under the Terrorist and Disruptive (Prevention) Activities Act. It was already apparent to most people and this has now been further circumstantiated that Sanjay Dutt has never been an anti-national element.

Though Sanjay Dutt has been convicted under the Arms Act for possessing an AK-56 rifle and a pistol, he should be treated in a lenient manner. Moreover, he has already spent about 18 months in prison after his arrest in April 1993.

Dr UPINDER FOTADAR, New York

Time to enforce driving code Surprisingly, there is no driving code or standards for automobile drivers in India as in the United States. No wonder, Indian roads are unsafe. Middlemen can get you a driver’s license for a fee without even taking a test (Letter, “No driving code”, Nov 20). In the US, all the 50 states have their own driver’s manuals. A printed booklet, it describes the latest rules of the road of the state and the road signs to follow while driving. It even explains do’s and don’ts when you see an ambulance with its emergency lights on, when school children alight or board buses, when pedestrians cross the street, etc. Those seeking a driver’s license must pass the qualifying test to ensure that he/she knows and understands the rules, road signs and safety of others. A person learning to drive must be accompanied by a licensed driver at all times. Those jumping red lights are fined heavily. Anyone found littering the road is ticketed. Anyone caught driving in an inebriated condition would lose his driving license and go to jail. It is time Indian Parliament enacted a driving code and enforced it in letter and spirit SUBHASH C. CHAUDHRY, Indianapolis (US)

Speed up justice

I welcome the court judgements in the Sanjay Dutt and Navjot Singh Sidhu cases. However, justice has come after inordinate delay, resulting in the mockery of the system. These cases also expose the lower courts’ vulnerability to paralyse the judicial system.

In the Arabian countries, the courts follow the dictum, “tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye” and go in for instant execution. The sanctions in India are much softer, that too, open for delays for years together. Sanctions ought to be positive to act as a strong deterrent.

The remedy lies in making appropriate amendments to speed up justice. Why can’t the High Court examine the gravity of an offence, heinous or otherwise, and award punishment directly to expedite justice?

HARDEEP GURU, Chandigarh

Welcome news

The US approval of the nuclear deal is a big breakthrough for India. Though there have been substantial changes in the language and in a manner that addressed many key concerns of India, it still doesn’t include all. India needs to tread with caution as the US is never a trustworthy partner. Whatever deal India is going to make with the US, it should examine all the provisions thoroughly.

SHAILESH KUMAR, Bangalore

No traffic lights

The traffic lights on Chandigarh’s Purv Marg (Industrial Area) in Sector 31 are not working. As the traffic is heavy on this road and vehicles run at high speed, the non-working of lights leads to chaotic situations most of the time. Accidents are likely to occur. The authorities concerned should do the needful soon.

ANSHU KATARIA, Chandigarh

Education is the key

Now there is talk of reservations for the Muslims. Will it help them? Have our other friends benefited from reservations? Children of the backward classes have failed to take advantage of the institutes of higher learning open to all. While minorities like Sikhs or Christians are running many of their own professional colleges, Muslims have not gone beyond madarsas.

Reservation is a sure recipe for a stunted growth. With easy access to seats and jobs, children of the reserved category do not take interest in their studies, lack will to compete and rise, and depend totally on the reservation crutches and finally lose their self-esteem. It is time they realised the pitfalls of reservations.

Wg-Cdr C.L. SEHGAL (retd), Jalandhar