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Bandhs affect national economy

I fully endorse the views expressed in the editorial, “Misdirected bandh: Opposition hypocrisy stands out” (July 6). The political parties in their protest against oil price rise are out to squeeze maximum political mileage out of public sentiments little bothered about the fact that it was the United Front government enjoying outside support of the Left parties which first notified the deregulation of oil prices in 1997 and the BJP-led NDA freed up petrol and diesel prices in April 2002.

The Opposition’s hypocrisy is thus, exposed. The UPA government must be complimented that it has gone ahead with economic reforms abandoning a populist approach of selling oil below its imported cost, which was putting a big drain on the exchequer by way of oil subsidy. The government can’t foot the subsidy bill indefinitely, since it certainly hampers the development of the nation. The public must extend full support to the government in this matter so that the huge amounts of subsidy could be utilised for the development projects.

LAJPAT RAI GARG, Panchkula

II

The editorial forcefully expressed the sentiments of millions of silently suffering “aam aadmi” in whose name the ruling as well as the opposition parties are forwarding their selfish political agenda. If at all protest has to be registered, it should be totally voluntary and not forced on by the lumpen element.

In a democracy such issues should be debated and discussed in Parliament. Violent protests are totally against the spirit of parliamentary democracy. The economic impact of bandhs is enormous and ultimately it is the “aam aadmi”, who bears the brunt of this economic loss. Matters of national importance should be solved within the ambit of Parliament. Otherwise people will lose faith in parliamentary democracy.

Dr VITULL K GUPTA, Bathinda

III

The editorial deserves to be seen as a note of caution by the protagonists of the nationwide bandh. Opposition for the sake of opposition is bad politics and can no longer be approved by anyone with wisdom.

The cost of one day bandh may be equal if not more than the increase in the transportation cost caused by the recent hike in fuel prices by the Government of India.

The Opposition should learn to be faithful to the intentions of the people who have voted them to play the part of healthy Opposition in Parliament and State Assemblies. To truly uplift the common man, they should avoid paying lip-service and initiate a concrete plan of action.

Dr M M GOEL, Chairman, Dept. of Economics, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra

Promise of inquiry

Past experience shows that though every word of the editorial “VIP land grabbers” (July 5) is true, the hope “that the inquiry by Punjab DGP (Railways) Chander Shekhar will reach its logical conclusion” probably would not be fulfilled.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

On the right track The Tribune interview by Editor-in-Chief Raj Chengappa with Himachal Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal (June 18) was interesting as well as thought-provoking. The Chief Minister has rightly pointed out that the state faces major constraints. He has vociferously raised the voice for rail connectivity. It will not only help promote the tourism industry in the state but will also ensure national security. The state government has taken various steps to attract tourists. It is perhaps the first state to ban the use of polythene bags to promote cleanliness and protect the environment as well. There is a ban on the felling of trees. It is only due to the encouragement of the state government that today farmers are earning rich dividends in floriculture. Himachal Pradesh has vast hydroelectric potential and is the first state to encourage its people to use CFL bulbs. The government even distributed free CFL bulbs to every household in the state. Dr VINOD K CHOPRA, Hamirpur