Handle 2G scam

Hats off to the Tribune for the editorial “Tackling 2G scam” (Jan 10). It was rightly stated that Mr Kapil Sibal should not have soiled the pitch. But he is helpless due to his background as a lawyer.

That is why he rushed to the media to score a point. He acted like a lawyer and in the process he forgot that he is the minister of prestigious telecom ministry. It is strange that he does not know what is the prescribed procedure for the PAC and Parliament.

KULWANT SINGH, Jalandhar City

Lead-free paints

The leading international brands in paint industry are not complying with the international standards for lead content in paints (editorial, “Poisoned colours”, Jan 10). Many nations strictly regulate the lead content of paints used in homes and various institutions. Of what use is India’s economic growth if companies continue to play with the health of people. The government should ensure that only lead-free paints are available in the market.

VIKRANT SHARMA, Shimla

Arushi’s case

The editorial “Who killed Arushi?: CBI’s closure of the case disturbing” (Dec 31) was apt. Why it took so long for the CBI to tell us that it had achieved nothing? Closing such a vital case does not amount to closure for those fighting for justice for their child.

Fix responsibility on those who mishandled crucial evidence and may have tampered with it. Such a disturbing act of the CBI leads to loss of faith and confidence. How can we expect anything positive from the CBI in other cases?

S.K. MITTAL, Panchkula

Way to go

Indeed, it is a matter of great pleasure and satisfaction that two Dalit sisters from Musimbal, a small village in Yamunanagar cleared the HCS (judicial) examination. It is a hard fact that in rural areas daughters are hardly encouraged to go in for higher studies.

The editorial “Dalit girls show the way” (Dec 28) has rightly stated that being Dalits makes their quest for excellence all the more creditable, considering that many avenues of progress have been traditionally denied to them. Now that they are being offered equal opportunities, they are coming into their own.

SUBHASH C TANEJA, Rohtak

Menace to farmers

Anybody who is a farmer will not agree with Dr H.M. Saroj’s suggestion in the letter, “Don’t kill monkeys” (Jan 5). The Himachal Pradesh government is fully aware of the extensive damage that the monkeys cause to grains, vegetables and fruits. That is why it has permitted the people to kill them. It would at once be wrong to consider that Hanumanji belonged to the race of monkeys. The installation of a Hanuman statue at the top of the Jakhu Hill of Shimla has been done in earnest belief keeping in view the religious sentiments of the people.

The protection of wildlife is must but not at the cost of human suffering. Over they years, the monkey population has increased and deforestation has made them move towards human habitations.

IQBAL SINGH, Bijhari, Hamirpur

Provide job security

Aditi Tandon’s news report (Jan 4) about severe shortage of doctos in India clearly underlined the reality. Yes, time has come to create more undergraduate and post-graduate seats in the medical field to give services to huge population of our developing country.

There is also the other side of coin. It is a well-known fact that the number of students appearing in pre-medical examination is decreasing every year due to lesser job opportunities of fresh MBBS doctors. Rural medical officers who are working on contract in Punjab; even after serving for the past five years in rural subsidiary health centres are still on contract. So, there is no job security.

Our young doctors are leaving India. The exodus of doctors due to the lack of proper salary package and job security is also a cause of concern. We should retain these young doctors and train them by creating more post graduation seats. The government should regularise the jobs of rural medical officer to provide better services to the people of Punjab.