L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

PM should tackle inflation

Though Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a reputed economist, he has not succeeded in tackling inflation. During the nineties too, the Finance Ministry under his command failed to check inflation. During the current decade, India has made economic progress but the wide gap between the rich and the poor has been widening, thus creating the mal-distribution of income in society. The rich class (about 15 per cent) has amassed huge wealth by hook or by crook and this has created socio-economic, law and order and various other problems in the country. Accordingly, the people in general have lost faith in the administration.

Slogans of GDP growth are meaningless for the common masses when the prices of essential commodities are rising day by day, thus affecting their purchasing power and diminishing the value of their humble savings. These factors are driving them to poverty.

RBI’s monetary policies will not be able to check inflation as there is a widespread unchecked black money in Indian bazaars. In a nutshell, there are many established ways and means to control inflation but at present we should curtail 20 per cent import of petrol, diesel, etc. and introduce rationing of the same through established outlets.

A. L. KATYAL, Chandigarh

Appoint teachers

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal often talks of establishing more Adarsh schools in the state. Education Minister Upinderjit Kuar has also been reiterating the same. However, both have never clearly mentioned about the recruitment of 14,000 B.Ed masters recently selected for the cause of promotion of English language in the state (nearly 1,000 posts of English master have been marked for this purpose).

The selected, but not appointed, teachers feel ignored and sidelined despite having the requisite qualifications, training and experience. I request the Chief Minister and the Education Minister to immediately appoint 14,000 B.Ed masters.

DEWAN CHAND, Faridkot

A step backward

Panjab University has left nobody in the lurch by disapproving of the M.Phil Distance Education course. The UGC has taken a step backward by reviving M.Phil as the eligibility criterion for lecturership at the undergraduate level. PU has, in a way, given a wake-up call against falling standards in higher education.

I see no reason why some sections are opposing this decision. There are various ways to get oneself enrolled in research work like the Ph. D. Those who have managed such degrees feel insecure of and difficulty in finding themselves as lecturers. On an average, 90 per cent selected candidates are M.Phil degree holders in past two years in government-aided colleges in Haryana. Most NET /SET cleared candidates have been sidelined in the process.

The UGC should rethink over this issue. It is not too late. Records can be verified and standards can be maintained again by making UGC- NET/SET as the only criterion for lectureship. Otherwise, the UGC-NET/ SET will lose its charm once and for all.

RAVINDER GILL, Abohar

Income-tax Act

Under Section 44 A of the Income-tax Act, a person is required to maintain account books if his income exceeds Rs 1,20,000. But in the new budget the exemption limit has been raised to Rs 1,50,000. Section 44 AA has become infructuous, implying that every person who files his income-tax return must maintain his account books or else he will have to pay penalty. 
This will cause inconvenience to small assessees.

Sec 44 AA of the Income-tax Act should be amended, prescribing Rs 2,00,000 as the limit for maintaining account books (from the present Rs 1,20,000). This will immensely benefit the small assessees.

H. S. GHAI, Advocate, Khanna

Tree plantation

Whenever new townships are developed, the existing trees are removed to make place for roads, buildings, commercial establishments etc. After development, new trees are planted in an organised and planned manner. Normally new plants are small costing up to Rs 20 each, but to protect them tree guards costing Rs 1,000-1,500 are used. This amounts to being “penny wise and pound foolish”.

Besides, the area is denuded of green cover for a considerable period. The desired variety of large size plants should be raised in cement/poly bags by the Horticulture/Forest department and transplanted as being done by private landscapists developing colonies and commercial complexes.

Alternatively, these large-sized plants up to 10 feet can be procured from private nurseries at Rs 500 each. This will be economical and ensure immediate greening of the area.

Col SATISH KHANNA, Panchkula