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Importance of small family

I read Amarjit Singh’s article on population explosion (Perspective, July 11). Since the days of Emergency, family planning has become anathema to our political and bureaucratic class resulting in a high population growth, especially in the so-called BIMARU (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) states which now include Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

The writer has analysed the reasons for high fertility rates in these states vis-a-vis those in the better performing south and western states and even in Himachal Pradesh.

Reasons for high fertility among these states continue to be poor education levels particularly for girl, poor health delivery in the form of institutional childbirths and care of mother and child. The marriage of girls at an early age with resultant early and frequent childbirths is another vital factor.

To stabilise population in the coming years, we have to rectify these issues in BIMARU states. A concerted drive is needed in these high fertility states at least for five years to motivate the eligible couples and provide services along with a scheme of incentives and disincentives.

Involvement of NGOs, social groups and panchayats besides the government is required to create an impact for acceptance of small family norm.

Brig. H. S. SANDHU (retd), Panchkula

Rivalry in Army

In the two articles on defence, one by Maj-Gen Pushpendra Singh (Perspective, July 18) and the other by Gen V.P. Malik (Perspective, July 25), both writers echoed the feeling of neglect and anguish in the armed forces.

The media may have played up the issues out of proportion but one cannot lay the entire blame at their door. Some within the army itself are no less responsible for this. In the so-called Sukna land scam, for example, where no money changed hands, a mountain was sought to be made of a molehill just to score some brownie points.

Rivalry in the army gives an opportunity to the bureaucracy or the political setup to beat us with our own stick as in the Sukna case when the then Army Chief was issued “orders” by the political leadership, robbing him of his authority and the Army of its face.

Wg-Cdr C. L. SEHGAL (retd), Jalandhar

Gurgaon’s most nagging problems
I read Sunit Dhawan’s article, “Gurgaon: The bubble bursts” (Saturday Extra, July 17). The negligence of Guragon’s infrastructure development which fetches 46 per cent revenue to the state exchequer boldly speaks of a sleeping (mal) administration and the state government.

The situation in the town is far worse than what has been described in the article.
Even the bus stand at Khar-khoda is much better than that of Gurgaon. Shockingly, the government has become insensitive to the woes of people. The Gurgaon MLA, a known property dealer, is now a Haryana minister. Even he has failed to motivate the administration to take some remedial measures. The Chief Minister visits Gurgaon frequently but he never interacts with the people to get first-hand knowledge of the ground realities.
The most nagging problems of Gurgaon are traffic congestion, depleting water table, grossly inadequate water supply, choked sewers, bumpy roads, insanitation at public places, absence of a modern fruit and vegetable market, lack of public transport and affordable medical health care.
These problems can be mitigated only if the Municipal Corporation is restructured and staffed in a way that it acts as an umbrella authority. Thereafter, the Corporation should be directed to remove all the irritants within a year. So long as it is not strengthened, the residents’ woes will continue.
BALJEET SINGH, Gurgaon