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

Jailbreak: Rotation of staff necessary

The escape of eight hardcore criminals from Sonepat jail may be a case of not only connivance but also of active assistance extended by the jail staff in lieu of a considerable amount of money. No unwanted activity is possible inside the jail premises in view of the tight security arrangements. The persons who aided the undertrials have put to danger lives of many other citizens. They need to be given exemplary punishment — no less than dismissal. As rightly suggested in the editorial, ‘Not a mere jailbreak’ (January 20), the training of the jail staff should be based on modern concepts of security. Refresher course and training should be conducted at regular intervals to maintain discipline and high morale of the jail staff.

The jail employees should be rotated every two to three years to keep them alert and to keep them away from monetary allurements. The supervisory staff should be competent and professional. They should devise means to bring down such shameful incidents to naught. There should be no feeling among the jail staff of being ignored while serving in the Jail Department. The top positions should also be tenure-based. The change in the top echelons of the police should be made from time to time whenever transfers are due. A time-bound change at the higher level would also help improve general law and order situation in the state.

SHARDA BHARGAV, Jalandhar

Dr ROSY WALIA JOSHI, Chandigarh

The UGC row

The news report ‘Row brews over process to select new UGC Chairman’ (January 15) is quite disturbing. Aspersions have been cast on Prof Goverdhan Mehta, chairman of the selection committee, who has never bothered about administrative positions. Positions have been chasing him rather than vice- versa. During his tenure as Director, Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bangalore, he did not compromise on merit.

Gone are the days when the head of an academic institution would not allow a politician to enter the campus. Where have the likes of Zakir Hussain, CD Deshmukh, AC Joshi gone?  Former Chief Minister of Punjab Partap Singh Kairon never interfered in the working of AC Joshi whom people take pride in calling the architect of Panjab University in Chandigarh.

Once a distinguished academician wrote his letter of resignation stating, ‘Since I do not have the skin of a rhino, tongue of a parrot, and brain of a monkey, I hereby submit my resignation from vice-chancellorship.” 

But now, we have a different kind of people ruling the roost. Apart from distributing degrees, vice-chancellors have been seen touching the feet of public figures in full public gaze.

RD ANAND, Chandigarh

Good Opposition

Raj Chengappa’s interview with BJP leader Arun Jaitley was interesting. Jaitley is a leader and lawyer par excellence. He commands the acumen to convince the Indian polity of his party’s performance in dealing with national issues like corruption, elections and lack of effective democratic leadership in the Congress party.

His conclusion that the party in power failed to get the Lokpal Bill passed in the winter session of Parliament because of its mishandling is not only plausible and convincing but also a stark reality. One of the allies of the government joining the Opposition is a classic example. His answers to the questions by the Editor-in-Chief awaken the curiosity of readers to issues of national concern. The Opposition’s role in the parliamentary system stands established.

SHANTI SWAROOP SHARMA, Dharamshala

‘Kissa kursi ka’

During poll campaign, political leaders become humble, though overtly. With folded hands they mingle freely with the crowds, walk on the streets, ride bicycles and scooters and keep themselves grounded. As soon as they get the chair, they leave all the goodness behind. They confine themselves to their AC cars and offices, becomes inaccessible to the public, turn haughty and egoistic and start running away from the common man who was their ‘messiah’ before elections.

They fear to move without security guards, where earlier they moved freely for their campaign.

This is the right time to judge and recognise a suitable candidate to give your precious vote and also make the leaders introspect a little.

SUKHDEV MINHAS, Mohali

II

The time has come to choose your leader. Would he be a true and deserving leader or a ‘rich’ leader who will manage to manoeuver political power again? Don’t let it become the ‘survival of the richest’ anymore.

The decision is as crucial as the development of our country. It is disappointing to see candidates seeking votes using financial lures to entice voters. There is no talk of development or new facilities to be provided to the citizens. Fair elections is of no concern to them, they want power by hook or crook.

The citizens need to see beyond petty politics.

RISHI UPPAL, Ropar