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

Bureaucrats in collusion with politicians

The article “Is ‘steel frame’ crumbling? : Civil servants then and now” (Dec 8) by Amar Chandel was analytical and thought provoking. The tribe of IAS officers has often failed to uphold the tradition of good governance for which their counterparts of yore were known.

This cadre of officers has not only surrendered before the greedy politicians but some of them have also colluded with wily politicians to share the booty of corruption.

Agreed that the power-hungry politician will go to any extent to harass and harm a bureaucrat if he does not dance to his tunes. Still, IAS officers cannot absolve themselves of their duty to give clean and efficient administration to the country.

RM RAMAUL, Paonta Sahib

II

The writer has chosen his words carefully and has put down the exact feelings of patriotic Indians. Whatever noble ideals were thought of, when the service was conceived, are gone and not a trace is visible. The article clearly conveys what has become of it, in every state of Mahan Bharat!

BRIG AN SURYANARAYANAN, Bangalore

Deal with Russia

The editorial “A deal that India wanted: Russia ends nuclear fuel supply worries” (Dec 9) has aptly summed up the strategic utility of the Indo-Russia deal for our nation. Dr Manmohan Singh and his team need to be congratulated for their sincere efforts and their diplomatic victory in Moscow.

JAGDISH MITTER GANDHI, Gurgaon.

Case for smaller states

This refers to the editorial “Demand for new states”. It has been rightly said that a commission should be appointed for the reorganisation of the states in our country. Time and again there are demands from the politicians to create new states from different regions. These demands are raised due to the selfish motives of politicians. In larger states there are always some areas which remain neglected.. This makes the people demand the creation of new states. 

The demand for a new state must come from the state assembly concerned to the central government. The Centre must appoint a commission for the reorganisation of states and the name must have the word “pradesh” and not “land” or “khand”.

For better law and order in the country we must have smaller states. This will also help faster development of the country.

Dr HARINDER SINGH KANG, Yamunanagar

Dinakaran must go

Tainted and controversial persons should not be allowed to preside over the temples of justice. With Justice P D Dinakaran’s elevation to the Supreme Court rightly on hold, the pertinent question now is whether he should even continue as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka  High Court. Justice Dinakaran needs to be given the marching orders.  And so also Goa’s North Goa District Judge Nutan Sardesai, who is accused of judicial impropriety and is now trying to get herself elevated to the Bombay High Court.

The selection process for any judge should be open and transparent, allowing only those having an impeccable character to  make an entry into the judicial service. It is very improper for persons involved in any controversy and accused of lacking integrity to continue as a judge. There is a need to make the judiciary more accountable with more stringent selection procedures for judges.

Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar (Goa)

Rights of prisoners

“Prisoners too have rights” by Shalini Dewan (Dec 11, 2009) shows the worst kind of life prisoners lead in our jails due to inadequate basic facilities like health care, food and sanitation. This is a violation of human rights, making the slogan “Human rights for all” false. In India, about 10 lakh prisoners are in jails lacking international standards. Surprisingly, prisoners are deprived of their voting right, but they can contest parliamentary or assembly elections.

Moreover, orders of the Supreme Court and the National Human Rights Commission are not properly followed by the police as torture still continuous in custody. But NGOs’ efforts in Tihar Jail have given a pleasant picture. So, cultural therapy, basic facilities and NGOs’ participation for psychological rehabilitation of prisoners in jails are the need of the day to motivate them to do something productive.

Kamaljit Malwa,
Member, TB-HIV Coordination Committee, Mansa

Noise pollution

Today, noise pollution has become a menace. People use pressure horns, loudspeakers and firecrackers without concern for others. Efforts must be made to reduce nose pollution that has many detrimental effects.

KAMALJIT MALWA, Mansa

Plant trees No doubt, the Copenhagen summit is a landmark meeting on the environment. Any negligence and insincerity will cost dearly. What is praiseworthy is the role of the media. They are voicing the concern of climatic catastrophe in one voice. We expect the hearts of the world leaders will melt and they will be able to take a series of decisive steps. Massive tree plantation, a blanket ban on cutting trees, reduction of unwanted vehicles and strict regulation on carbon emission would be very helpful. Indeed, restoration of greenery is a pathway that will soon lead to ecological harmony. If half of the world’s population plants saplings each year and takes care of those trees, a major change is possible.  SALIL GEWALI, Shillong