L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Sycophantic acts mar the spirit of democracy

Kudos to the media for widespread condemnation of the sycophantic act of shoe-wiping by the DSP rank personal security officer of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, when she accidentally stepped over a puddle after alighting from her helicopter (editorial, “Maya memsaheb”, Feb 10). It is hoped that this particular incident will act as an eye-opener for all concerned.

The fact that such disgraceful acts of gross misuse of power have become commonplace with our ‘netas’ is amply supported by numerous similar instances in the past as well as many more that are largely going un-reported even today. The editorial rightly blames our democratic pretensions as solely responsible for promoting such odious acts of sycophancy.

Unless checked, such malpractices will soon eat into the vitals of our body-politic. It is for our political bosses to stem the rot by setting high standards of personal behaviour and probity in public life.

GOVIND SINGH KHIMTA, Shimla

In Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard goes alone with her driver without bodyguards and other paraphernalia. When will we know the true meaning of democracy?

Dr AMAR JIT SINGH GORAYA, Griffith NSW, Australia

Water pollution

Toxic material in water has brought considerable ill-effects across Punjab but there is no public awareness about this serious issue (editorial: “Poison in rivers: Make the polluters pay”, Feb 10). Various researches have revealed that the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides is one of the reasons for water pollution in Punjab and neighbouring states.

There is a strong need for surveillance of quality of water sources and monitoring of groundwater supplies for the impact of fertilizer and pesticide use. The government should create region-wise laboratories for the constant monitoring of water supplies and share the data with the public to create awareness among the public to tackle the problem of water pollution.

RAJIV ARORA, Ferozepur

JPC probe

The UPA Government blinking on   the JPC probe into the 2G Spectrum irregularities is a clear case of capitulation to the unrelenting pressure from the Opposition (editorial, “End the deadlock: Parliament must function at any cost”, Feb 9). Terming the surrender as ‘no price is high enough to make Parliament function’ by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is nothing but self-serving and making a virtue of its helplessness.    

Mr Mukherjee is a trouble-shooter and also has acute political acumen. He knew that the continued stubbornness on this issue would only damage the credibility and prestige of the UPA Government further and its political fortunes in the long run.   

By rejecting the JPC inquiry outright, the UPA Government had played into the hands of the opposition parties inadvertently and gave them a new lease of life.  

The Opposition should also now show magnanimity and let the bygones be bygones in the larger interests of the country. Both sides need to ensure that the JPC inquiry generates more light than heat so that scamsters are exposed and brought to justice.     

TARSEM SINGH, New Delhi

Boost agriculture

Jayshree Sengupta’s article “Ensuring food security” (Jan 17) requires further elaboration. The common man bears the brunt of a never before price rise as costly crude oil, stagnant foodgrain production and policy flip-flops put India on the threshold of a food crisis. On food security, Ms Sonia Gandhi proposes and Dr Manmohan Singh disposes. The farmers continue to pay a heavy price. The dream team of UPA chairperson has been unable to spur agricultural production in India.

India is a classic case of an agricultural economy where the government has not bothered about farmers’ misery and low investment in agriculture. The government loves to boast about nine per cent plus growth but doesn’t care about increasing agricultural production.

With the present policy and planning of agriculture in the country, the collapse of green revolution is inevitable. Dr M.S Swaminathan in his farmers commission report has clearly spelt out the priorities of agriculture but the government’s priorities seem to be different. Agriculture and industry should be at par.

SURAJ BHAN DAHIYA, Gurgaon

Death atop trains

The tragic end of youth seeking employment in ITBP was shocking. The editorial “Last journey” (Feb 3) has aptly described the unfortunate incident. The tragedy has also projected the dismal state of affairs of unemployment in our country.

ITBP or the railways made no adequate arrangements for job seekers. Blame game will not serve any purpose. There is a dire need to change the tendency of calling candidates for interviews in large numbers at a particular place and should be called in groups and at different dates. The authorities should wake up so that such mishaps do not recur.

PREM NATH KOCHHAR, Abohar

Judiciary’s role The editorial, “Judicial overreach: PM has a point in expressing concern” (Feb 8) points out Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s concern over the judiciary’s interference in the functioning of the government. Of late, it has become the practice of the judiciary to take the government head-on in cases of corruption in various organs of the government. It has been forced to review the functioning of the constitutionally elected government due to high order of corruption prevailing in it and its various organs. But that doesn’t mean that the judiciary should be stopped from doing its part of the job in reviewing the powers of the legislature and the executive when it deviates from its path and sides with the corrupt ministers who are bent upon looting the nation’s exchequer at will. The recent 2G spectrum scam, the Commonwealth Games scandal, the Adarsh Housing scam and the latest row over the appointment of a “tainted” CVC have brought shame to the nation. If the two pillars of democracy — the legislature and the executive — are tolerating corruption among their ranks, the judiciary can intervene and remind the government to be careful for the sake of true democracy. Out of 543 MPs in the present Lok Sabha, 153 MPs are facing criminal charges. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should work for the removal of such MPs from Parliament instead of taking on the judiciary. R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh