Pilgrimage mishaps

It is the duty of pilgrims to cooperate with the authorities and follow instructions to avoid being caught in stampedes and other uncomfortable situations (editorial ’Tragedy at Kumbh’ February 12). They tend to break and jump queues and joy walk with gay abandon.

Before putting all blame on the government for tragedies, we must look within. We are also to blame for mishaps to some extent. Pilgrimage does not give us the freedom to treat with levity the rules and regulations made for our own safety.

HEMA, Langeri (Hoshiarpur)

II

There is no doubt that in such a situation where crores of people converge at one pilgrimage site, it is very difficult to control what appears like an ocean of humans. At the same time, the railway authorities should have been very careful while announcing the trains or changes in schedules.

Simply, resigning to fate will not help, rather ministers, officials, public should work out well in advance about emergency preparations and disaster management. The authorities should have learnt their lessons now. Proper planning, preparation and lastly execution can prevent human tragedies like these.

SUBER SINGH PARIHAR, Gurgaon

Dream merchants

The worst that can happen to the retirees (teaching and non- teaching staff) of privately managed government-aided colleges in Punjab has happened. Repealing the Act, the government had promised to pay them pension-cum-gratuity about one and a half decade earlier. It is outrageous that the government has backed out of its promise.

The government has let down the teaching community who waited for this relief for such a long time. Employees of privately managed government aided colleges knew at the time of joining that their jobs are not pensionable, but it was the government which showed them this rosy dream of getting pension.

KK KHOSLA, Ludhiana

II

The Haryana Civil Pensioners’ Welfare Association has sought slab-wise increase in pension after attaining the age of 65 years and beyond on analogy of five, ten, fifteen and twenty per cent upto the age of 80 years. Retirees who are in the age bracket of 65-80 now, joined service in the erstwhile Punjab state and were allocated to the state of Haryana in the event of reorganisation of the state in November 1966.

Since their counterparts in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are getting it, why should they be left out? It is indeed ironical that this genuine demand of the pensioners is pending with the Haryana government for the last several years, even though the state is way ahead of other states in granting facilities and various incentives to other deserving categories in all other fields.

RAMESH C. NARANG, Panchkula

Farmers’ issues

There is a need to address the problems of farmers at various levels which can give them some relief. The government must put up solar electric fencing along the SYL canal and forest lands. The compensation to farmers for damage of crops must be increased from Rs 4,000 per acre to at least Rs 20,000 per acre for seasonal crops like wheat, maize and vegetables and Rs 50,000 per acre for sugarcane and gardens. The compensation should be given immediately after assessment by competent authority. A road alongside the SYL canal needs to be constructed which will also boost the economy of the area.

MEHAR SINGH, Sidhupur (Punjab)