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

Disappointing functioning of CBI

Why are we going gaga over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying that the CBI should go after the big fish rather than the small fry? Did he not know earlier about what our investigating and enforcement agencies were doing? If he did not, the less said the better. If he did, why did he wait for more than five years to take notice of their wayward and skewed functioning?

It is no body’s case that the heads of all the government organisations and institutions are the choice, if not the favourites, of the ruling party. In most cases, the political bosses use them for partisan ends and to favour and cultivate the near and dear ones, who can be useful to them and the party in many ways. The officers who dare to be impartial and follow their conscience are either shown the door or ruled over.

 The unnecessary political interference in the functioning of the CBI and other such agencies is proving to be the bane of their functioning. Until they are asked to carry out their duties without fear and favour, we cannot expect the present dismal situation to change, no matter what our leaders say for public consumption.

SACHI NANDA, Chandigarh

Judges’ assets

The bold step of revealing their assets by Supreme Court and High Court judges will strengthen the faith of the common man in the functioning of the judicial system.

Courts form one of the pillars of an effective administration of justice and the judges play the key role in the dispensation of justice. The legal profession has always been held in high esteem as the role of the judiciary is also of immense importance for the country’s growth.

HARPREET SANDHU, Advocate, Ludhiana

TV viewers’ woes

DTH is not cheaper than the cable TV connection, but much more costlier. For example, Tata Sky has added to the packages for many of its channels. Recently they have taken off a few regional channels like Zee Guajarati and added four new channels as a package with an additional amount per month. This is ridiculous.

In fact, all channels in English and Hindi, except for regional ones, must have a single rate. Regional language TV programmes are watched by regional people or those who understand that language and, as such, these channels are not of much use for most TV viewers.

TRAI must interfere and restrict the charges for all the channels. It must ensure that all free channels, too, are included in the single rate fixed by TRAI.

MAHESH KUMAR, New Delhi

Chandrayaan-I: don’t lose hope ISRO scientists should not feel disheartened with the short-circuited mission of Chandrayaan–I as it has already completed its 95 per cent work, as claimed by our scientists. More importantly, it has put India in the select band of the nations — the US, Europe, Russia, China and Japan — which have been successful in their mission to the moon. If our faith is strong and constant, our efforts are sure to bring success. The secret of success always lies in hardwork, dedication, ability and discipline. The path to success may be difficult, full of hurdles, but that should not affect our determination. Failures are the pillars of success. Success is not certain all the time, nor are the failures final. Even NASA scientists have met with failures many times. Failure does not mean that we should give up. Nothing comes out right at the first time. Rather our ISRO scientists should try harder and more vigorously to make Chandrayaan-II a successful mission. ARVIND HASTIR, Gurdaspur

Why PSEB?

Under the Central Electricity Act 2003, most of the state electricity boards have already got unbundled. September 15 is the deadline for the PSEB’s unbundling by the Union Power Ministry.

Hefty subsidies to certain sections of society in Punjab increases the debt burden of the PSEB. If the state government desires a well-planned strategy for the PSEB by withdrawing all subsidies, minimising the line losses and curbing power theft strictly, then there is no need for unbundling the PSEB.

KAMALJIT MALWA, Mansa

Historic victory

Heartiest congratulations to the Indian football team on its victory over Syria. It was India’s historic 6-5 victory in the ONGC Nehru Cup final at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on  Monday. It was a fabulous day for the soccer fans who were overjoyed at the superb performance of the team. It was the team spirit which resulted in a remarkable win. The triumph was India’s second in a row. With this win, India has become the third country in the history of the Nehru Cup to have defended the title after the then USSR and Iraq.

The government should reward the team players and treat their achievement in the same manner as that of the cricketers.

DILBAG RAI, Chandigarh

“Honour” killings

The Union Home Minister P Chidambram (editorial, “Honour’ killing”, Aug 24) rightly called “honour” killings a national shame. Sadly, some people in both Punjab and Haryana continue to nurse medieval mindsets and endorse such killings. India is a progressive nation where even live-in-relationships have been approved.

So why should khap panchayats intimidate couples and infringe upon their personal liberty and choice? There is dire need to take stringent action against those who are making a mockery of the law. Fear of deterrent punishment must be drilled among those who break the law blatantly.

ANJU D ANAND, Chambaghat, Solan