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

CEO’s murder a disturbing trend

The manner in which a mob of disgruntled workers killed Italian firm Graziano Transmission’s CEO Lalit Kishore Chaudhury in his office in Noida forewarns the leaders of international firms in developing countries to examine the workers’ discontent carefully and take remedial steps. What led to this tragic incident and mob mentality was the Noida plant workers’ charge that the company officers were trying to get written confessions from the displaced workers that they were at fault for inciting violence in the past.

Greater Noida has about 3000 industries with 2,500,000 blue collar workers and about 2500 cases are pending at various labour court tribunals. On an average, 20 complaints are registered everyday with these courts and 18 of them are negotiated and resolved while two go on trial. Between April 12 and July 25 last, police have lathi-charged hundreds of protesting workers of Automax, Honda Motors and Scooters respectively.

While police excesses must stop, the companies, too, should change their attitude towards the workers. Conflict resolution should be the top priority.

SHANTU SHAH, Portland, Oregon

II

Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes’ statement that the killing of Mr Chaudhury is a “wake-up call” for the corporate managements was in bad taste. This meant that some more CEOs should be prepared to face serious consequences if they fail to meet the demands of their workers.

The Minister, of course, has made this statement with an eye on the coming elections. What he seemed to convey was that the mayhem did not matter so long he stayed a Minister or a more charitable view could be that if the UPA returned to power. With such ministers in the government, one is reminded of an Urdu couplet, Dost ho jis ke tum, dushman us ka asman kiyon ho? (With you as friend, one doesn’t need enemies).

B.K. KARKRA, New Delhi

III

The killing of a CEO by sacked workers in Noida is shocking. Mere suspension of SHO is not enough. Those responsible for the gruesome murder should be traced and punished to act as a deterrent.

Uttar Pradesh has become a horror state, especially after the NCR township of Noida is fast growing as a major industrial town of the country. The murder, if not taken seriously, will adversely affect the confidence of foreign investors in the country.

MADHU AGRAWAL, Delhi

Pension disparity

Apropos of Ajay Banerjee’s report on the disparity in defence pensions (Sept 25), the Finance Ministry has not at all agreed to the proposals of the defence services and has, in fact, outrightly rejected them. The ball has reached the Prime Minister’s office only because of differences between the Defence and Finance Ministries.

It is also learnt that the officer handling the Pay Commission Cell in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, is from the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), a service which has always traditionally been in a status war with military officers.

Otherwise, why would a Lieutenant Colonel with 13 years of service and with a pre-revised scale of Rs 15,100-18,700 be placed in Pay Band-3 (Rs 15,900-39,100) and a Director to Government of India also with 13 years of service and with an erstwhile scale of Rs 14,300-18,300 placed in Pay Band-4 (Rs 37,400-67,000)?

The Sixth Pay Commission and the subsequent approval by the Union Cabinet was nothing but an exercise to mislead politicians by the babus who have never wasted time in degrading the status of men and women in uniform.

VICTOR CHRISTOPHER, Goa

Dubious role

G. Parthasarathy’s article, “Chinese duplicity” (Sept 18) is an eye-opener for those who have been admiring China and its policies since 1962. The real face of China has always been different than painted by the Left parties in India. The so-called Marxists have always supported and justified anti-India policies — be it the border dispute with China, nuclear disarmament or relations with foreign countries.

Mr Parthasarathy brings to light China’s dubious role in Vienna. Reports in People’s Daily of August and September 2008 need deeper analysis by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

RAVINDER SINGH BRAR, Sandaur

Beyond the deal

I read S. Nihal Singh’s article, “N-deal a tonic for Congress: BJP on the back foot” (Sept 9). The NSG waiver, which has put an end to a 34-year-old nuclear trade ban against India, is feted by many as a big leap in India’s emergence as a major power. Yet, this is hardly a time for celebrations as it isn’t yet clear what lies beyond the deal. 

While we need to see the success in Vienna as an opportunity to prove our efficacy in dealing with nuclear commerce and to expand the bounds of sovereignty in future, the need of the hour is to debate the differences among political parties as passionately as possible to show ourselves how serious we are. We should be far-sighted in our thinking and forward looking in our attitude.

RAJESH KRISHAN, Chandigarh