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

Congress pays a price for infighting

In the volatile politics of Haryana (editorial, “Hooda’s challenge”, Oct 27) where chief ministers have traditionally had short tenures, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda can draw some comfort from the fact that he is the first chief minister to have entered a second consecutive term. Although he has become the chief minister of the state yet he will be haunted by uncertainty.

Mr Hooda’s gamble of early elections did not pay off. Imagine the Congress’s plight had the Opposition not been divided. The Congress might have been in deeper trouble. The surprise element in Haryana has been the impressive showing of Om Prakash Chautala’s INLD.

The Congress had to pay a price for infighting, as also for sustained price rise and power situation in the state. However, the Congress has taken the reins of the state with the support of independents. But they will demand their pound of flesh. The state polity is likely to witness power games with unexpected twists and turns. Only time will tell how Mr Hooda will take his party along as well as those who are supporting him. Let there be no repeat of aya Rams and gaya Rams.

SUMAN KUKAL, Chandigarh

Reform district courts The editorial “Reforming the judiciary” (Oct 28) has succinctly pointed out the need for reforming the judiciary. The vision statement of the Law Minister M Veerappa Moily is well-intentioned but is divorced from ground realities of district courts. The need of the hour is to dispense justice, not to dispense with justice. Appointment of judicial officers on a large scale is not the only solution to the problem. Infrastructure in the form of space, staff, and equipment will also have to be provided. During hearing, one party is always interested in delay of cases. Varied interpretation of the law by higher courts is also one of the reasons for the delay. Often, the coordinate bench of the high courts and the Supreme Court give different opinions and decisions on the same issue. Thus the lower judiciary is invariably caught in a dilemma. After every decade, the Supreme Court should review decisions given in the past and bring in uniformity in the law. Besides, instead of having three shifts of courts, which is practically impossible, the present system can be modified. First Kacha peshi of every trial court should be fixed for Saturdays. It will save about two hours of time on other weekdays. Secondly, heavy fines should be imposed on frivolous litigation. Thirdly, strict action should be taken for perjury. Mr Moily should seek views of advocates practising in district courts. AJAY K JINDAL, via e-mail

Fire fighting system

In every developed country there are signboards to warn that the lifts are not to be used in case of a fire alarm going off or when fire or smoke is detected. Signboards point to the nearest staircases. In big buildings they have at least two staircases to allow people to use the one that is away from the scene of fire.

Fire fighting personnel give periodic instructions to the residents. For instance, they are told how to use a wet blanket to cover themselves and move away from flames. Unfortunately, with a sab chalta hai attitude, even our fire fighters are not trained properly.

KRISHAN PUNCHHI, Ontario, Canada

Help lonely people

There are many organisations that are involved in social service. They provide aid to the needy and do their utmost for the upliftment of the underprivileged sections of society. Even blood donation camps are organised regularly.

However, there are not enough organisations, which can serve the ailing people living alone. Social organisations and NGOs should constitute special committees, which can offer services to these lonely people, especially when they are hospitalised.

VINOD JAIDKA, Panchkula

GM crops

For the first time, a government committee has approved a genetically modified (GM) food crop Bt Brinjal for commercial cultivation in the country. In the case of Bt cotton, farmers faced the problem of virus affecting the crop, especially in Bathinda and Ganganagar areas.

GM crops may not prove to be as useful as expected. We should adopt a cautious approach towards the genetically modified crops till their effects are known.

COL KULDIP SINGH GREWAL (retd), Patiala

Letters to the Editor

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— Editor-in-Chief