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

Entrance test for lawyers a right step

The decision of the Bar Council of India (BCI) to hold an all- India entrance-test for law graduates passing out of all the law colleges in the country is commendable, as it will screen the entrants to the Bar, attract real talent and ensure quality proceedings in the courts (editorial, “Screening lawyers”, June 10). 

Every-right thinking person should support this decision of the Bar Council of India as it would provide an opportunity to the law graduates to prove their worth before entering the Bar, more so when the proposed entrance examination will be held twice a year and a candidate can take part in it any number of times until he clears it.

The Bar Council of India also deserves praise for its decision to conduct the test in seven Indian languages apart from English and Hindi. The decision should be seen as a step in the right direction as it will improve the quality of lawyers and tone up the functioning of the courts.

ARVIND DHUMAL, Jalandhar

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The decision of the Bar Council of India to hold an all-India entrance examination for graduates passing out of law colleges is a welcome step. This will compel the new entrants to have a minimum standard of knowledge in their field before they make it to the Bar.

Capt R S LITT, Halwara, Ludhiana

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The editorial has rightly mentioned that the entrance test for graduates passing out of law colleges is an appropriate step. It is encouraging to see that even our law authorities find it a positive move. Today the Bar Associations and the Bench form one of the fundamental pillars of an effective administration of justice.

But there has been a deterioration in the legal system owing to lack of quality law education. The entrance test will definitely raise the standard of legal profession. The role of lawyers is of immense importance in our country. This constructive step will also help curb the ongoing growth of substandard law institutions in the country.

HARPREET SANDHU, Ludhiana

UPA’s report card

The Tribune did a splendid job in bringing out the achievements and failures of the UPA II (May 22). It even devoted its editorial and oped pages to give an extensive coverage to what UPA should do and what it should not do. Forewarned is forearmed.

The UPA should take stock of assessment of its performance and should proceed firmly and cautiously to complete the tasks crying for attention on priority basis. The Tribune deserves accolades for providing an in-depth evaluation of the government’s functioning to its readers.

The Tribune Editor-in-Chief Raj Chengappa’s front-page letter called spade a spade dispassionately and uninhibitedly. The UPA exploited the “aam adami” plank to the hilt to regain power.

But it is the “aam adami” who has been made to bear the brunt of exorbitant prices of basic necessities. The unprecedented price rise has broken the common man’s backbone and he finds it acutely difficult to make both ends meet.

Obviously Dr Singh does not have a magic wand. But no concerted efforts have been made to bring down the prices of essential commodities to provide relief to the common man. Vested interests, hoarders and black marketeers have made a fortune out of price rise.

Hence the UPA must launch a multi-pronged attack against the monster of price rise to justify its claim that it cares for the “aam adami”. Its actions should speak louder than its words.

The government has also failed disastrously to rein in the growing menace of Maoists. Mr Chengappa has rightly urged the Centre to chalk out a clear-cut strategy to deal with the problem, which has assumed alarming proportions and ought to be handled on a priority basis.

The UPA’s plate is full of problems and it has miles to go before it can have a wink of sleep.

TARSEM S. BUMRAH Batala

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I endorse the mild warning given to the PM while listing his government’s performance in the past year. The line, “you have miles to go and we are afraid you will not have much time for sleep” were apt.

Mr Chengappa without mincing words has been bold enough to point out that inflation is without doubt the government’s biggest failure and needs to be remedied on a war footing.

The letter has applauded the PM and given him due credit for ensuring that the Indian economy continues to grow at healthy 8 per cent and sparing India the excesses of global recession. The PM and his team deserves kudos.

Lt-Col ONKAR CHOPRA (retd), New Delhi

Inspiring example Abhishek Kumar, son of a cobbler who cleared the IIT entrance test by securing a good position in the merit list, deserves appreciation. His success should be a source of inspiration for millions of students preparing for the IIT-JEE. It is unbelievable that a student living with this family of six in a single room that too without electricity has cleared the tough examination. He has proved that students facing poverty can also compete if timely guidance and proper facilities are made available to them. The government must provide the facility of coaching at the district level all over India so that everyone gets an opportunity to grow. At present, the majority of the students clearing the IIT-JEE are from big cities. The government must provide financial help to needy students. NIRANJAN SINGH, Chandigarh