M A I L B A G

Small states for better governance

The editorial, “Small is governable” (Jan 17) rightly endorses the bifurcation of bigger states. I endorse the suggestion for appointing a new States Reorganisation Commission to examine the issue in a wider perspective to facilitate better governance and equitable economic growth.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has herself come out with a proposal to split UP into three smaller states. Otherwise, the dalits would have thought that such a move is being put up to thwart their efforts to reach the centre of political power in New Delhi. The proposal should now get more supporters.

The SRC report of 1956 was not based on rational principle; it has balkanised the southern states; the central and northern states were left untouched. Madhya Pradesh, UP and Bihar in the north were kept undivided despite their huge and unmanageable sizes.

Secondly, as the principle of administrative viability was not followed, some other states in Central India were also kept bigger in size like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Thirdly, the states were divided on the linguistic basis — a principle which was not followed in other states of the world. Thus, the states were reorganised on political and linguistic basis.

What should be the criterion? Two main principles need to be followed. First, the states should be divided into sizes keeping in view the administrative viability and equitable growth of economic resources. Secondly, the principle of one state, one language be strictly followed which means first, the size of the state be decided, and thereafter the language that is spoken by the maximum number of people of that state be declared as the official language.

G. S. BAL, Jalandhar

PCS posts

I read the news-item on PCS vacancies (Jan 14). Since 1998, the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) has not made any recruitment of PCS officers. The government feels that its efficiency is declining because of too many vacancies. But to cope with the problem, it is no solution to promote persons from other cadres to take up the PCS jobs.

The state government approached the UPSC for these selections. On their refusal, the government suddenly decided to fill in these posts from other cadres, little realising that this will create a vacuum in those cadres. The best solution is to revert to the old system of recruitment through the PPSC.

DINESH SHARMA, Patiala

Inclusive growth

The trillion-dollar economy has created many trillionaires and billionaires in India. The Indian stock market has also fared well, except on some occasions. However, the common man hasn’t got any benefit from this. Robust economic growth or booming economy should make them too wealth creators by making this growth inclusive.

The service sector can play greater role in this task. Education centres should be opened at every nook and corner of the country to achieve dual target –meeting the talent crunch and providing wealth to the common man .The education sector should be allotted higher outlays in the coming budget to achieve this target. India’s economic destiny calls for it. Let thousand  flowers bloom.

Dr B. L. TEKRIWAL, Mumbai

Make Army attractive

The Indian Army is facing an acute shortage of officers. Corruption and suicides have affected its image. In the first half of the last century, joining the Army was a privilege; the scions of the royal families got commission and a position in the Army was a symbol of status.

In the second half of the 20th century, north Indians had a zest to serve the country. Now the products of public schools prefer to do jobs in multinational companies with huge pay packets. The rural youth are unable to clear the exams due to  low quality of education  provided to them.

The government should provide good education in the rural schools so that the youth can aspire to join the defence services. Above all, the career in the Army should be made attractive to the present generation.

RAM CHANDER NEHRA, Satrod Khurd (Amritsar)

Restore pension

Huge debts and crop failure have forced some farmers to end their lives. The former employees of the Punjab Agricultural University — the harbinger of green revolution in the country — are facing similar problems. They have rendered selfless service for the cause of the nation and Punjab in particular. They have brought laurels to the Punjab Agricultural University and the country.

Though pension is their only source of livelihood, it has been stopped for the last three months without notice. Many pensioners have taken loans for house building from the banks. Now they are unable to pay their monthly installments. The banks are capable enough to attach their property. Most pensioners and their dependents are sick and there is no money to purchase medicines. The authorities should restore pension  immediately.

S. S. PAL, Gurdaspur