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Gadkari’s service to the nation!

BJP president Nitin Gadkari claims to have done what our agricultural scientists and research institutes could not do. Applying some modern techniques of agriculture unknown to the farmers of Vidharba, he has been able to cultivate sugarcane saplings in a wasteland spread across 100 acres. The land was, however, unfit for allotment to local farmers being barren, he claims. Is he growing these saplings in testtubes or petri-dishes? Whom are you befooling, Mr Gadkari? The ‘mango people’ of this country should hand over their wasteland to this agri-wizard and true ‘krishi mittra’ to turn it into arable and cultivable land. His expertise and experience needs to be replicated everywhere in the country to put waste and barren land to the best national use. What a service to the nation! For a central minister, an amount of Rs 71 lakh is not big enough to misappropriate and warrant his seriousness. A Chief Minister talks about his prerogative to transfer government officials at his whim and fancy. A self-appointed spokesman of a ruling combine in another state finds nothing wrong if a file is cleared in four days. He tells us that it could even be done in 24 days or hours. Most of the TV channels and armchair critics and analysts sitting in their chambers did not find any ‘romance’ in the expose made by a non-political group where a politician is said to have usurped 100 acres of land. For them the ‘bomb’ turned out to be a ‘patakka”. They were awarding marks to this group of people who have dared to do what politicians or the respective governments need to have done, at the cost of inviting ire of the mighty and the powerful. What is wrong with us?

Col (retd) BS BHULLAR, Amritsar

A fact we Indians need to concede is that corruption and nepotism are rampant at all levels of governance, private business and govt- private dealings. The IAC (India Against corruption) has taken up cudgels to expose prominent personalities and to awaken the ‘aam admi’ from his slumber and see for themselves how they are being governed.

Mostly, revelations of scams are made by the media by information sought through RTI Act. Unfortunately, the agencies which are meant to wrest and reveal scandals, seldom act to expose and nip the malice in the bud. Ironically, an investigation by any agency and the follow-up judicial process is a slow process, a reason which is exploited to the hilt by wrong doers.

Lt-Col BACHITTAR SINGH (retd), Mohali

III

Laws and rules are framed for the betterment of society at large and to protect our sacred institutions as per the Constitution. Laws are supposed to bring about an order, stability and provide protection to every citizen, regardless of caste, colour or creed.

In today’s world, however, this is not happening. Laws and rules are being circumvented and manipulated so cleverly, that everything only appears to be ‘as per the rules’ or ‘within the ambit of law.’ The implementation of laws has become so laggard that those guilty of breaking laws are openly challenging the ‘do-gooders’ to ‘go to court’, as they know very well that it would take years if not decades, for the law to take its due course. It is a national shame that rapes, looting and ‘white collar’ crimes have become the order of the day. The biggest national shame is the fact that those who are supposed to protect citizens are indulging in crime and are getting away scot-free. It is a very bad state of affairs and if not checked in time, we are not very far away from a reign of chaos.

DEEPAK BALLANI, Pune

Healthy merger

It is surprising to see the logic given by the Punjab Finance Minister that the state government has withdrawn its approval for merger of rural banks following representation by employees of three banks (News report “Govt calls off merger of rural banks”, Sept 30).

Mergers are being considered as a consolidation exercise for the whole of the banking industry even for banks which have 700-800 branches and in the future scenario, how will a RRB with 30 branches survive.

Many employees of the RRBs in other states as well in Punjab are in favour of the merger and employees of the Punjab Gramin Bank did not make any such demand disfavouring merger. A state government is supposed to work within certain principles while dealing with the Central government and should avoid foolish decisions, like first giving consent and then withdrawing under pressure and that too with a consent of only 15% persons affected.

ASHOK KUMAR, Jalandhar

Tightrope walk
The social ethos that came up post–Independence was monumental in character. The impact of the freedom movement was still fresh in the minds of the people. Life was simple, secure and hassle-free. Needs were few and could easily be fulfilled. People ate well, felt good and slept deep. Radio, cinema, newspapers and telephones were the main source of information and entertainment. Tonga, rickshaw and cycle were the common means of transport. Environmental pollution was unheard of.

No doubt, the present-day society has advanced materialistically but it has declined morally. Ultra-modern devices have hit every sphere of life but not without deleterious effects on the mind and body. Crimes in broad daylight have become a regular feature of our daily life. Children are kidnapped and killed for ransom, women are raped and molested. The police has lost its human face. Life has become a tightrope walk. Where is our social set-up headed for?
IQBAL SINGH, Jalandhar