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

Don’t let land grabbers get away

It is an unsaid truth that in India the common man cannot dream of buying a proper house or a plot of land in big cities because politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen grab land, raise the prices unreasonably and then make huge profits out of it (editorial, “Land of grabbers”, Aug 14). Nobody is surprised when the inquiry report submitted by DGP Chander Shekhar in the Punjab and Haryana High Court detected 350 unauthorised colonies. He has noted in the report that SSPs are not acting against them because among the beneficiaries are 145 IAS and 180 PCS officers.

This is unfortunate and rather shameful that on the pretext of helping farmers the Punjab government has ‘de-listed’ areas in which construction is prohibited under the Punjab Land Preservation Act. The Punjab government is relaxing the rules and policies to help the grabbers.

It is shocking that there are 3,500 illegal colonies in Mohali alone and the state government has decided to circumvent the law to regularise all the illegal colonies. How can we expect junior civic officials to take the trouble to stop or demolish illegal structures? The top leadership is succumbing to pressure from influential colonisers.

Haphazard and illegal construction activities on the beds of seasonal canals block or divert the flow of these rivulets and result in floods, as we have seen during this rainy season. Unplanned houses without any functional drainage or sewerage put a lot of pressure on the municipalities and the citizens have to pay a heavy price for the chaos created by this unholy nexus between politicians and bureaucrats.

Transparency in administration and accountability of public servants is the need of the hour if we want to become a progressive society and a developed nation.

ARVIND DHUMAL, Jalandhar

Better journeys

It is true that air travel is the fastest and comfortable mode of travel but according to frequent airline passengers, the real experience is always unpredictable (editorial, “Some relief in the air”, Aug 5). The main reasons for it are long delays and sudden cancellations. Often the luggage is lost and damaged too. The airline staff must be more organised.

RAMESHINDER SINGH SANDHU, Khasa, Amritsar

Social responsibility

It is gratifying to note that the Microsoft Chief Bill Gates and legendary investor Warren Buffet intend to visit India to motivate the Indian rich corporate kings (editorial, “Social responsibility”, Aug 9).

The adage “Example is better than precept” is true in case of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. They themselves are engaged in philanthropic activities around the globe. Their persuasion can bear fruits.

Donation with all humility and anonymity is an ideal in the Indian tradition. Rahim, the famous Hindi poet and benefactor of the poor and downtrodden, used to keep his eyes down on the earth while giving alms.

SHYAM SUNDER AIRI, Kapurthala

Human nature

Being an avid reader of The Tribune, good middles are my weakness. Jupinderjit Singh’s middle “Men and manners” (Aug 3) is one such middle. It reflected human rather youth’s nature exquisitely. The writer needs to be complimented for sharing his keen observation with readers.

K.L. NOATAY, Shimla

King of fruits

Tushima Rattan’s middle “God’s own fruit” (Aug 14) was interesting. Mango is indeed the king of fruits and most delicious. The very thought of a mango can make one’s mouth water and few can resist the temptation of eating a mango.

KHUSHWINDER SINGH SURYA, Barnala

Rotting grains

It is the excusable and lax attitude of those entrusted with the job of preventing foodgrains from rotting that has compelled the Supreme Court to talk tough (news reports, “SC to states: Don’t let grain rot, give it to the hungry”, Aug 13 and “Pawar: Report on foodgrains exaggerated”, Aug 14). The apex court has done a commendable job by reminding the governments to ensure the safety of foodgrains.

However, the suggestions and guidelines issued by the Supreme Court are conspicuous by the absence of any direction for initiating punitive action against the erring authorities without which the whole talk of saving foodgrains from rotting would remain a sham. The statement of Mr Sharad Pawar, “Reports on food grain rotting exaggerated”, is neither factual nor convincing.

Dr SOSHIL RATTAN, Amritsar

Reorient Central forces
The editorial “Tackling insurgency: India must reorient its Central police forces” (Aug 9) has rightly voiced concern over the laxity and insensitivity of both the Centre and states for not having well-trained and well-equipped forces to deal with the menace. It is appalling to note that despite over five decades of insurgency in the country we have failed to make our forces capable of combating insurgency and terrorism in the country.
Surely, the CRPF and the BSF are not trained to combat insurgency. Besides other reasons, the root causes of insurgency are exploitation of people and unemployment. Only the reorientation of forces along with gainful employment opportunities for the youth and a development approach can prove to be a solution. In fact, we need a combined Centre-state strategy.
Capt S K DATTA, Abohar