The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Letters to the Editor

NEWS AND VIEWS

PUNJAB

HARYANA

JAMMU & KASHMIR

HIMACHAL

REGIONAL BRIEFS

NATION

OPINIONS

LETTERS

BUSINESS

SPORTS

WORLD

SPECIAL COVERAGE

CHANDIGARH

LUDHIANA

DELHI

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

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

IPL mess reflects deeper rot

The editorial “The IPL mess: Cash-flush league must come clean”(April 19) has rightly asked for a full probe into the working of the IPL which has become a den of influence peddling. At the same time, one wonders why there is so much of hullabaloo over the Kochi IPL franchise.

Scandals of much more serious nature have happened in the past and will happen in future also. They are generally forgotten with the dismissal or resignations (forced or voluntary) of those involved or with the ordering of an inquiry of sorts. Before long, the culprits are back in business with a bang and the inquiry reports — if at all completed expeditiously— gather dust in government offices.

No political party is above board. Mr Shashi Tharoor, once our nominee for the post of the UN Secretary-General, is microcosm of the Indian polity. Leaders of all parties have got caught with their hand in the cookie jar now and then. Their skullduggery and improprieties come to light when they fight openly over the share of spoils of dubious ventures and enterprises with other stakeholders i.e., businessmen and bureaucrats.

Until yesterday Mr Tharoor and Mr Lalit Modi were the blue-eyed boys and wonder kids of society. While people have a passive attitude, the media has its preferences and priorities and the government its political compulsions and expediency. Surely, we will continue to see skeletons hurtling down from the high offices from time to time.

HEMA, Langeri, Hoshiarpur

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has certainly become a “mega money-making machine” as described in the editorial. In fact, it has become the biggest business in the name of entertainment.

The functioning of IPL has raised many ugly issues. The possibility of “someone trying to park unaccounted money” cannot be ruled out. This issue must be thoroughly probed by the Centre.

The resignation of Mr Shashi Tharoor from the Ministry has rightly been recommended by the Prime Minister and accepted by the President. Even Mr Lalit Modi has to move out of the IPL, which he has turned into the “Indian Paisa League”

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Cause for insurgencies

Experience tells us that insurgency or Dantewada like situation(s) invariably thrive in underdeveloped terrains with adverse climatic conditions and dismal living conditions (article, “Jawans in jungle” by Uttam Sengupta, April 15). Insurgencies in Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura are glaring examples.

The need of the hour is to train our security forces and provide them good and motivated leadership. Besides, good administrative support is also essential.

Brig VK SHARMA, (retd), Chandimandir

Control khaps

The state government has not responded to khaps in a befitting manner (editorial, “Defiant as ever”, April 15). The law and order situation has deteriorated to such an extent that the Additional Districts and Session Judge, Vani Gopal Sharma of Karnal who delivered the judgement in the Manoj and Babli honour killing case, apprehends threat to her life.

She has sought her transfer from Karnal to a safer place near Chandigarh. This brings bad name to the state administration. The state government is duty bound to provide adequate security to aam aadmi in general and to judicial officers in particular.

RAMESHWAR KAMBOJ, Karnal

Unbundling PSEB

The editorial “More of the same” (April 17) has aptly analysed the exercise of transformation of the PSEB into a state owned company by the Punjab Government as required under the Electricity Act of 2003. Mere bifurcation is not going to solve any problem.

Newly-formed companies have to work under the direct control of the government. Their fate will not be any different from other government- owned public sector undertakings. Except for Markfed, no government undertaking has been able to make profits.

The obvious reason of such failure is red tapism, official apathy and political interference. Work culture of these companies cannot change as the mindset of employees cannot change overnight.

Until and unless, the monopoly of the state owned company is broken, no reform in the existing structure can be expected. The basic purpose of the Electricity Act 2003 is to implement power reforms that can be achieved only through fair competition. Consumers have no choice. They cannot switch over to better service provider.

Half-hearted implementation in power reforms cannot change the situation. Radical and revolutionary reforms are the need of the hour.

AJAY K JINDAL, Ludhiana

Kabaddi is a winner
To the editorial “Kabaddi on the upswing” (April 14) I would like to add that the traditional sport has captured the kind of attention that has hitherto been the exclusive preserve of cricket in India. The credit for monumental success of the inaugural Pearls World Cup Kabaddi 2010 certainly goes to the organisers, the Punjab Government, viewers and TV channels and the public who lent their wholehearted support to the sport generally dubbed as the game of the rural people.
India trounced arch rivals Pakistan 58-24 in the final to lift the coveted trophy along with the prize money cheque for Rs 1 crore. The final turned out to be a one-sided affair as the Indian players scored points after points with unvarying regularity. Particularly, captain Mangat Singh Mangi and his deputy Hardawinder Singh Dulla’s performance was outstanding. The duo demonstrated skill, stamina, technique, craft, finesse and strength to subdue their opponents from across the border. Pakistan players failed to match the superb technique, style, mode of operation and endurance and fortitude displayed by the Indian players.
Victory or defeat, one thing clearly emerged from the contest between India and Pakistan. Conflicts between the two nations can be solved through sports and not through wars.
If the authorities build on the final success it can usher in an era of traditional and martial sport as a mainstream entertainer. The TV channels can also now think beyond cricket with which they have been obsessed.
TARSEM S BUMRAH, Batala