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Indo-Pak talks must for peace

The editorial “Case for Indo-Pak talks” (Jan 25) rightly opined that a healthy dialogue between India and Pakistan is the only solution. It is obvious that common people of both countries are keen to interact with each other. They will find a wide range of economic and educational benefits and gain from tourism as well.

If people of both countries and their governments are also keen to establish good relations, then what is the problem? Of course, there are some radical and communal elements. Both India and Pakistan would have to tackle these groups firmly. Politicians too must refrain from politicising issues that affect the peace process.

AHSAN JAVED, New Delhi

II

The editorial rightly points out the need for talks between the two countries at the earliest. Both the countries have borne the onslaught of violence and lost their Prime Ministers to terrorism. The common man in both the countries is suffering due to the politics of hatred. Moreover, huge amounts have already been spent by both the countries on defence purchases. It is important for the two countries to initiate a dialogue for everlasting peace. The talks should lay emphasis not only on improving the political climate, but also favourable business relationship between the two countries.

SANJAY CHAWLA, Amritsar

NRIs’ woes

The Haryana government does not know how anti-people and anti-friendly their governance is (news report. “10 pc quota for NRIs, says HSIDC” Jan 10).  Last year, I spent eight months in Haryana and Chandigarh. During this period, I ate bananas and mangoes ripened unnaturally and nearly died. Except for the media coverage, there was no effort or attempt by Haryana, Punjab or Chandigarh authorities to put a stop to this menace. Ripening and sale of bananas and mangoes continued unabated.  I had to undergo an open-heart surgery at Fortis hospital before I was allowed to return home. Since my Indian visa was to expire on August 10, I applied with the office of SSP, UT, Chandigarh for extension of my visa in May. I filled the form and deposited the necessary fee but my visa was not extended. The officer concerned there continued to mislead me and my relatives.

All NRIs have their own tales of woes to tell. It won't make any difference if the government makes 100 per cent reservation of plots for NRIs.

SUBHASH C CHAUDHRY,Indianapolis, USA

Blow to Haryana govt

President Pratibha Patil deserves appreciation for coming to the rescue of an upright forest officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi for exposing the wide-spread malpractices and the misuse of public funds by the forest department for plantation at the private land of MLAs (editorial, “Blow to Haryana govt”, Jan 25). No doubt, it is much more difficult to fight the system from within but Mr Chaturvedi has fought at a great personal risk. If an honest officer like Mr Chaturvedi, known as a one-man army, who has blown the lid off several forest related scams, had to face frequent transfers for blowing the whistle by not compromising against the system, we can well imagine the future of our nation.

HARISH K. MONGA, Ferozepur

Denial of pension

Bank officers who have retired voluntarily aged 55 years with more than 30 years of service are disappointed as the IBA/Ministry of Finance has decided to deny them pension and allowed officers with 15 years service to exercise the pension option. Is it not gross injustice?

During the pension settlement on 27.04.2010 it was mutually agreed to extend the existing pension scheme of 1995 to all officers who were in bank service as on 29.9.1995. and retired before 27.04.2010.

I request the IBA/Ministry of Finance to reconsider the decision and extend the existing pension benefit to all officers.

P.K. GUPTA, Baltana

Troops in Valley The Home Ministry is responsible for internal security and Ministry of Defence for external and internal security under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (news report “Centre for troops cut in Valley”, Jan 15). It is on account of the failure of Home Ministry that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is promulgated. The Prime Minister made a statement that there is a need to strengthen the state armed police. Nothing concrete has happened. Therefore why cut down troops in the Valley unless it is to help separatists? Armed Forces, at the cost of life and limb, restore law and order. The Home Ministry allows the situation to deteriorate repeatedly. Also, Home and Defence Ministries function in watertight compartments complicating the situation. The third player is the Election Commission which successfully blocked alternative method of defeating separatists through the ballot. Law and order is a state subject and those who maintain it, are deemed to be performing their duty for the state government. Hence, they are eligible for registration, at their place of posting. But it is never done by the Election Commission. It is time the DGPs and the Chief of Army use an alternative method of defeating separatists through ballot by standing up for the constitutional right of their subordinates, to be registered in the electoral rolls, at their place of posting. Brig HS GHUMAN (retd), President, All India Veterans Core Group