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The burden of backlog in courts

In his article, “Courts clogged up with huge arrears” (Nov 1), V. Eshwar Anand has stressed upon the need for reducing the backlog of court cases that has jeopardised our legal system to the extent that people of late are losing faith in it.

Though the writer is right in asking for a “political will and bureaucratic support to rejuvenate the system”, he perhaps is asking for the moon. For, the present system seems to be a boon for both the politicians and bureaucrats, most of whom are corrupt to the core and they seemingly are the least interested in improving the current situation.

For example, it is the general indecisive and inefficient attitude of most bureaucrats, rightly called as file-pushing babus, that forces even small-time employees to get their routine dues to file avoidable suits and thus add to the existing arrears in courts.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

Punjab’s priority Sarbjit Dhaliwal’s write-up, “Once a leader, now a laggard” (Oct 27) was an eye-opener for all well wishers of Punjab. The food basket of India is in a financial and political mess. While agriculture shall remain the backbone of this industrious state, we need to establish more agro-processing industries to ensure better returns to the farmers. Post-harvest technology needs to be encouraged to check wastage and solve cold storage problems. While it is a fact that universities meant for conducting elite research have proved to be white elephants often giving refuge to incompetent and insensitive people, we cannot afford to look away. Research papers are the prime concern of the majority among the faculty with lots of pirated write-ups and little of significance for the peasantry and grassroot people. We need to arrange regular audit of our research universities to encourage the genuine and shunt out the rubbish. Dr MADHU GOYAL, Bathinda

More corrupt

According to the Transparency International’s annual survey, India has slipped from 84th to 87th position implying that India has become more corrupt this year than last year.

The scale which ranges from zero (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 10 (thought to have little corruption). India has scored 3.3 in the corruption perception index.

After the Commonwealth Games, the focus has now shifted to a high power inquiry committee. The question arises: weather the committee will really find out the names of people involved in large-scale corruption or simply recommend action against some top technocrats and middle-level businessmen.

The Right to Information Act, 2005, states: “Whereas democracy requires an informed citizenry and transparency of information which are vital to its functioning and also to contain corruption and to hold governments and their instrumentalities accountable to the governed.” India has become more corrupt than last year despite the RTI Act to contain corruption.

V.K. GUPTA, Kurukshetra

Falling standards

It is disturbing to learn about the increasing cases of corruption among top rung leadership of the services (Editorial, “Commanders conference”, Oct 27). This indicates falling moral standards in the armed forces where integrity can’t be compromised at any cost.

After the land scam, the case of Adarsh Society in Mumbai is another example of the senior officers’ involvement in undesirable activities. This may be the reason why promising young men are not attracted to the Services.

The present Chiefs should take it as a serious challenge and must root out this menace from all ranks and cleanse their organisations. An internal mechanism may be developed to prevent such incidents in future. 
The Defence Minister may monitor this grave situation and ensure that the guilty are punished.

SHARDA BHARGAV, Jalandhar

Obama’s visit

US President Barack Obama is visiting India from Nov 6. Everyone in India is looking forward to the visit as it would help create a good environment for talks between the two countries.

India is also hopeful that the US President will support India’s claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Terrorism and economic areas will be on top of the agenda for talks.

Mr Obama will also pay tributes to the terror victims of 26/11 in Mumbai. India will raise its concern about Pakistan and the US aid to that country. Let us hope for the best.

JAGSEER SANGHA, Ferozepur