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

Paid for no work, shun CPS posts

EXACTLY a month in office, and the SAD-BJP government has taken the most absurd decision of inducting 21 Chief Parliamentary Secretaries. CPSs are assigned the rank of a state minister entitled to hefty perks which include a car and escort vehicle with unlimited fuel, official residence in the state capital, personal staff of four employees, a well- furnished office and a salary equivalent to that of a state minister, for zero work output.

The worst condition is that they can not take any decision or sign any file as departmental files are not routed through them. It is a sheer burden on the cash-strapped state where pensioners are awaiting their due because of paucity of funds.

Since the Supreme Court is already seized of the matter, the government could easily have deferred the decision till the finalisation of the case in the apex court.

Crores of rupees which are supposed to be spent on these unwanted expenses can judiciously be used for some developmental works. If the newly appointed CPSs have the moral character, they should surrender the defunct posts.

SK KHOSLA, Chandigarh

After the 1962 general elections, a three-tier ministry (comprising cabinet ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers) headed by Partap Singh Kairon had a total of 34 ministers. At that time, the entire present day Punjab, Haryana and about half of Himachal Pradesh was one unit. After a few months, the strength of the ministry was reduced to eight owing to the Indo-China war as an economy measure.

On the contrary, there are 18 cabinet ministers under Parkash Singh Badal and with the appointment of 21 Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (with the status of minister of state) the de facto strength of ministry will rise to 39.

The economic condition of Punjab is much worse than in 1962. The state is heavily debt ridden and there is a dire need to save each and every penny. It is beyond comprehension how a state like Punjab can afford such extravagance.

JANGPAL SINGH, Kotkapura

III

The politicians are very apt at finding ways to hoodwink the legal and constitutional hurdles when it comes to their own monetary gains. This becomes much worse in a state in high debt. The surplus MLAs will be adjusted as heads of public sector undertakings, their bankruptcy not withstanding. The editorial has rightly termed it as daylight robbery of the state treasury.

Brig HS SANDHU (retd), Panchkula

The Punjab government urgently needs to cut down heavily on unnecessary expenditure. At this critical juncture, appointment of 21 chief parliamentary secretaries is surely a poor decision. The public money could have been better utilised. The government needs to introspect and work for the state with the right attitude and fulfill the expectations of the people of the state rather than make a bunch of MLAs happy.

RAJPAL SINGH DHILLON, Amritsar

Major disconnect

The editorial “A bad loser” (April 7) carries a timely advice to the Punjab Congress leaders. The Congress party must realise that the rank and file of the party stands demoralised. In the absence of an effective organisational structure, only “personalities’ fought the elections.

The party needs a democratic, modern, constructive and people-oriented leadership. Will the Punjab Congress be able to evolve such a leadership? The Congress High Command must act seriously and help evolve a leadership that while remaining above factionalism and family interests, is capable of carrying all the sections of the society along with its policies and programmes. There should be no distance between people and the party. Let us see how the 3-member committee under AK Antony resolves the prevailing crisis.

SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala

The subdued voices demanding change in state leadership are being heard now ("Time for introspection", April 9). The party leaders are still harping on the old issues whereas the if young leaders would have been given a chance, they would have done a better job with a long-term strategy and diplomacy in mind.

There is no single party which is enjoying cult status at the Centre. Under such circumstances, there is a dire need to bring forward dedicated and devoted persons who can take the Congress on the right path leading to success.
Congress leaders must understand that unless and until the grassroots leaders are not allowed to bloom, the party ethos cannot be cultivated.

HARISH K MONGA, Ferozepur

Means of deterrence
Heinous crimes like murders, rapes and other forms of violence are committed out of revenge, intense jealousy or hatred, wrong idealism, misinterpretation of religion, exploitation by vested interests in the name of religion/ideology and disregard for human forms and values.
It is said that every saint has a past and every sinner a future. Jails should be run as reform homes. There is a pertinent danger in keeping hardened criminals and terrorists alive because they may prove to be a potential threat to society. Their supporters can hold the state to ransom to get them freed by resorting to kidnapping, hijacking etc. which needs to be pondered over before deciding to abolish death penalty.
PRAGYA MAHAJAN, Jammu