M A I L B A G

Tarkeshwari, a mix of wit and beauty

AJ. PHILIP’s article “A beautiful politician” (Aug 22) was interesting. Tarkeshwari Sinha rendered the Sansad Bhawan cosy not only with her doe eyes daintily dressed with kajol, an elegantly made up coiffure and rouge tinted fluffy cheeks and fragrance of an exotic perfume wafting from her torso but also with her sparkling recitation of poetry.

Her famous verbal duel with Dr Ram Manohar Lohia is still etched in the memory of those who were present in the House at the galleries on that day. Lohia, in his inimitable style, was pleading that Svetlania, Joseph Stalin’s daughter, who fled to India from behind the iron curtain, wanted political asylum. He argued that as Svetlania was married to an Indian, Brijesh Singh, a close relative of the then External Affairs Minister Dinesh Singh, she was entitled to asylum.

CHAMAN LAL KORPAL, Amritsar

RTI in Punjab

I read the report, “Justice at doorstep” (Aug 17). The Punjab Information Commission has not been able to decide two cases as per the provisions of the RTI Act in the sitting courts at Chandigarh. The officers/offices who denied information and/or have violated the RTI Act have neither been penalised nor any strictures passed against them.

It appears that the Commissioners concerned are afraid of carrying out their functions and duties under the law on account of the very important offices involved. The law has been gagged in both the cases. Let us see to what extent justice would reach the doorsteps.

TARA CHAND JAIN, Gurgaon

Not in Canada

In the middle(Aug 21) by Harinder Singh Bedi, the aunt goes to Vancouver and she had to stay on for a mandatory period, being a Green Card applicant. Let the writer be enlightened that the Green Card system is in vogue in the US only. Vancouver is in Canada and there is no such requirement in that country.

S.S. BENIWAL, Chandigarh

Interim relief

The Central Government employees and pensioners have been expecting interim relief (IR) at par with Punjab government employers and pensioners who have been accorded 5 per cent IR from November 1, 2006. The Cabinet has denied IR to 26 lakh employers and pensioners.

The Central pensioners are deprived of most benefits extended to those by the Punjab government. These include permission to withdraw increments at the rate of 5 per cent of basic pension on completion of 65 and 75 years of age. A demand has also been made for 10 per cent increment on completion of 80 years of age at par with legislators and parliamentarians with the Sixth Pay Commission.

Punjab employees and pensioners get Rs 350 a month towards medical reimbursement. They also get LTC every two years. Why are Central employees deprived of these benefits? There is need for a separate pay commission for defence services to help soldiers of all ranks and officers.

Capt R.N. SINGH (retd), Nabha