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

BJP leadership is in disarray

The BJP (editorial, “Trouble erupts in BJP”, Aug 15) must set its house in order. Its defeat in the general elections has brought out the worst in the party. Blame game has thrown both the national and the state leaderships into disarray.

The latest in the series of disturbing incidents is the turbulence in the Rajasthan leadership that spilled over to hit the party’s central leaders.

The BJP must review its functioning if it wants to recapture power at the Centre. It should not allow defeat to affect its potential of being a credible national alternative to the Congress.

RJ KHURANA, Bhopal

II

The BJP is losing control over its members. Once a disciplined party, now it’s functioning is marred by indiscipline and confusion. The recent crisis in the BJP underlines that the party motto — nobody is above the organisation — no longer holds true. Factionalism within the party is likely to harm the interests of the BJP.

SIMMI MOHINDRU, Jalandhar City

Interest on deposits

The new tax code is an appreciable move and will bring much relief to the taxpayer. It is time the tax levied on interest on bank deposits is done away with. Such a measure would be in the interest of the common man, as by and large fixed deposit account holders are salaried people or pensioners.

N L GUPTA, Jalandhar

End khap rule

I agree with the views expressed in the editorial “Khaps call the shots” (Aug 13). The Haryana government should stop playing vote bank politics and must take stringent action against members of khap panchayats. Khaps cannot be allowed to take the law into their hands.

O P GARG, Patiala

Refinery effluents

Sarbjit Dhaliwal has highlighted the environment problem through his report, “Will not 2 thermal plants, oil refinery add to woes of Bathinda?” (Aug 9). Has any environment impact analysis been done in the cancer-affected Bathinda? If so, it should be made public to allay the fears.

Discharge of gases and the disposal of effluents from refineries is a complex problem. The effluents have to be chemically treated before disposal and proper measures need to be adopted for the disposal of effluents.

Dr G S DHILLON, Chandigarh

Rescue farmers

The Punjab Government should come forward and rescue the poor farmers from the cruel and greedy tactics of the commission agents i.e. arhtias. The illiterate farmer doesn’t know how to fulfil the requirements of taking loans from banks and other financial institutions.

Arhtias exploit this weakness of his and charge exorbitant rates of interest. The poor farmer has no other alternative. The government should implement the direct payment system without wasting a single day. It is the need of the hour. 

MANJIT SINGH, Batala

Rising prices

The sudden surge in the prices of sugar, pulses, vegetables, fruits and foodgrains has baffled the “aam admi”. It has become an uphill task to make both ends meet.

Fiery orations, hollow claims and grandiose plans have done little to ease the suffering of the common man. Only strict action against hoarders and black-marketeers can bring relief to the people.

RAJESH BAJAJ, Ludhiana

Adverse allegation

S.L. Maloo, New Delhi

 

A role model for judges The middle “Au revior, My Lord” by J L Gupta (Aug 8) was both interesting and enlightening. The writer has aptly highlighted the rare qualities in Justice S B Sinha who retired recently. He has been honest to the core, hardworking, a hard taskmaster, learned yet humble and fully dedicated to his duty, Indeed, Justice Sinha is a role model which others can emulate. I am reminded of the words of Victor Hugo, “When you go to bed at night, have for your pillow three things — love, hope and forgiveness. And you will awaken in the morning with a song in your heart.” Justice Sinha happens to be an epitome of sterling qualities. May his tribe increase! RISHAM, Rajpura