Eradicate corruption

This refers to the editorial, “Countdown to Lokpal: Eradicating corruption will be a tall order” (July 30). While it is good the government has finally given its nod to the Lokpal Bill for its introduction in Parliament, it remains to be seen if the government-drafted Bill is appreciated and adopted.

Surely the “sarkari” draft will annoy team Anna, and the Opposition will also oppose the issue of keeping the Prime Minister out of the ambit of the Lokpal. Thus, the monsoon session of Parliament will witness noisy scenes. Corruption is the greatest evil our country has been facing since Independence. No purposeful solution has been found for its eradication till date. People certainly want corruption to be eradicated from the Indian society. But it is doubtful if the creation of the Lokpal will have any effect on the prevailing corruption in our country.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Authentic document

This refers to the news item, “Row over, Army Chief to retire in May” (July 22). The controversy is that in the service records Army Chief Gen VK Singh’s matriculation certificate shows May 10, 1951, as his date of birth, whereas the UPSC application form filled for entry into the Army has May 10, 1950, as the date of birth.

Gen VK Singh is not responsible for this discrepancy. When the young aspirant, VK Singh, filled up his date of birth incorrectly in the UPSC application form, the authorities concerned failed to detect this discrepancy when they scrutinized his documents. Had they detected it, they could have rejected his application at that time. It is unbelievable that this discrepancy has been detected at the time of his retirement.

Matriculation certificate should be considered as the authentic document and not the UPSC application form, which might have been erroneously filled up by the applicant.

HARBANS SINGH, Ambala Cantt

Medical bills

I am a chronic heart patient, diabetic with hypertension, besides blood circulatory problems. I have also undergone an open-heart surgery. I need non-stop medication.

I have served the Himachal Pradesh Government for forty years. My medical reimbursement bills have been adorning the shelf of the Public Relations Department, Himachal Pradesh, for more than a year.

I had called on the Director, Public Relations Department, a number of times, who remained non-committal and unmoved.

The Himachal Pradesh Government is concerned about the welfare of the elderly, and passed a law so that children look after their old parents. It is a pity that it is ignoring its elderly pensioners.

BM MAINI, New Delhi

SIT welcome

This refers to the editorial, “Supreme snub: Court SIT a major embarrassment for govt” (July 6). I think the apex court has taken a remarkable step by appointing a special investigation team (SIT), under a retired SC judge.

The editorial has very rightly said while taking any action to speed up investigations into black money, care should be taken not to impair the delicate balance between the judiciary and the executive, and the respective roles they play in a democracy.

SATISH SHARMA, Kaithal

Fire safety norms

This is in response to the news item, “Most private varsities found defying norms” (July1). Private varsities in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh do not lag behind Himachal Pradesh varsities in defying the prescribed norms. There is hardly any varsity that fulfils the fire safety norms prescribed in the National Building Code-Part IV, 2005. The day is not far when a fire accident will occur, like the one that occurred in a Kumbakonam school in 2004, in which many children were killed. Normally, after such incidents, authorities initiate remedial measures. Why should we not take proactive steps to save precious lives?