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Quota: Uplift SCs/STs through welfare schemes

After Independence, the government provided reservation to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to lift them up from the morass of backwardness (news report “Bill for quota to SC/STs in promotions in govt jobs”, Aug 10).

Now, reservations have become a permanent affair and the government has been extending it to them every 10 years. Reservation on the basis of caste and their classification into SC, ST and OBCs has no constitutional sanction.

The political parties should realise that the central and state governments have started a number of schemes for the welfare of these communities and the other economically backward sections of society, whether a Brahmin, Rajput, Sikh or Muslim.

There is reservation in jobs in civil services, in admissions to IITs and IIMs and in other services. The quota in promotions upsets the applecart of the general category. The parties are not obeying the orders of Supreme Court of India which had struck down quotas in promotions.

SAHIL GARG, Chandigarh

II

The issue of reservation to different categories in India is very sensitive and volatile. If someone needs to be given special attention in the field of education, admission, job etc on some certain ground then there is no harm. But here one thing is important that the reserved categories should be given benefit at only one particular stage.

Once the person is benefited to get a better school or college or job, it means he is on par with the general category but if he is given benefit at every stage it means he is being given more opportunities than the general category. This is injustice to majority of the citizens. Keeping aside political motives, the government needs to mechanise a system that creates a balance in the society in such a manner that justice is done to all sections of society.

DEEPTI JINDAL, Patiala

Questionable selections

Yuvraj who has fought against a rare germ cell cancer has apparently convinced the selectors that he is fully recovered and ready to play international cricket based on the fitness certificate provided by the physio and trainer of the Bangalore-based National Cricket Academy. Why was any cancer specialist’s observation not taken on his fitness level?

Regarding selection of Laxman, who is nearly completing 16 years as an India cricketer and had a miserable tour of Australia averaging less than 20 in the four Tests, and in England as well, has only made it worse for India.

Interestingly, Dhoni’s favourite but totally flop Rohit Sharma has found a place in T-20, in place of Ajinkya Rahane. Ashok Dinda has been deprived from the Test because Srikkanth was particularly keen on having .Ishant Sharma in the squad despite he not having played competitive cricket for months Selection committee also lacks guts, if not then why was Harbhajan Singh recalled in the team on Amarnath’s suggestion.

BIDYUT KUMAR CHATTERJEE, Faridabad

Wasting precious time

The avoidable standoff on BJP leader LK Advani’s uncharitable comments and the furious reaction from the treasury benches has exposed the parliamentary system to public ridicule (editorial “Storm in a tea cup”, Aug 10) Parliamentarians are not serious about  the humungous legislative work comprising 31 important Bills awaiting discussion and their clearance during the current session. They are not disposing off their legislative responsibility efficiently. These leading lights have also wasted nation’s precious time and have splurged huge amount of public money.

It reminds me of an old adage ‘Fight occurs when a fool loses his argument’. Caustic remarks of LK Advani and Sushil Kumar Shinde fall in this category. Ones to be role models of the nation, Parliamentarians indulge in childish prattle devaluing themselves in public gaze.

R M RAMAUL, Paonta Sahib

II

We have lost many days, weeks and months in the hands of these wishy-washy lawmakers. Parliament has become almost a village club where trivial matters are gossiped about or pointless arguments are relished. Leaders in the Houses should be well prepared for initiating any discussion on issues directly related to the welfare of the nation, with nothing else bothering them.

The young brigade of MPs should stop wishful thinking and take the plunge to revive the glory of Parliament. Simply expressing some sort of displeasure at frequent disruptions of parliamentary proceedings would not do.

GOKUL BURMAN, Gurgaon

Nadir of Indian hockey Hockey lovers were aghast at the five consecutive defeats of the Indian team at the London Olympics. Disintegration of Indian hockey is complete. Eight-time world champion at the Olympics, the Indian team has disappointed everybody. The Indian team was outplayed in attack, defence and finishing by all their opponent teams. The Indian team seemed to play with neither plan nor purpose. We still remember our old players who brought laurels to India. Their skill in dribbling and scoring was unique. Let us hope that Indian hockey rises to glory again like a phoenix. TD BHARDWAJ, Phagwara