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100 yrs ago... & still true

In the Tribune of January 13, 1914 (On this day … 100 Years Ago), Mr P Wren, very rightly emphasised the importance of physical exercises in schools (news item 'physical culture for Indian students').

The emphasis holds good even after a century. For a healthy mind and body, the importance of physical exercise for school students can't be underestimated. The practice of different physical exercises (eight exercises in standing position and four in sitting) was a compulsory component of the morning assembly session of all schools. The healthy practice continued till the early 1980s. Then it stopped all over. Nobody knows why. Policy makers should seriously think of reviving this healthy practice.

Dr V K Anand, Patiala

Very few women MPs

It is a that out of 545 representatives in the the Lok Sabha, only 59 are women and in the Rajya Sabha, their number is 25. Our political parties talk a lot about female representation in Parliament. But in reality, they don’t wish to see them in large numbers, nor are they too willing to allot them tickets to fight elections. It has been rightly concluded in the editorial “Practice what you preach” (December 5) that because of lack of political consensus, the proposed law to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in Parliament and Assembly could not materialise.

Subhash C. Taneja, Gurgaon

Raise pension in Haryana

The pensioners of Haryana are getting much less emoluments than their counterparts in the neighbouring states. For example, I retired as a stenotypist from the Haryana Irrigation Department on December 31, 2010. I am getting Rs 10,000 pension after attaining 61 years of age. But my counterparts in Punjab, HP and Rajasthan are getting more pension, owing to better pay scales.

The pay scales of Haryana employees are very low. Consequently, their other retiral benefits are also very low. The Haryana government should adopt the Punjab pattern of pay scales with effect from January1, 2006 at least so that our suffering is mitigated and we are able to make both ends meet in these days of skyrocketing prices.

GD Sharma, Talwara

HP guards underpaid

The Himachal Pradesh Government, as a matter of policy, follows Punjab with regard to the pay-scales and other emoluments payable to its employees. However, the Home Guards serving the state have not yet been brought within the ambit of the policy. As a consequence, the hapless guards are getting much less emoluments than their counterparts in the neighbouring Punjab.

Shouldn’t the anomaly/discrepancy be removed forthwith?

Tara Chand, Ambota ( Una))

Medical aid meagre

All states in north India have sanctioned Rs 500 as fixed medical allowance (FMA) to their serving employees as well as pensioners. This FMA is very meagre. It is difficult for the pensioners to make both ends meet in old age due to their poor financial position and social responsibilities. Haryana, which is the number one state, should enhance the FMA to Rs 1,000, keeping in view the soaring prices of medicines.

Ghansham Dass, Talwara

Pensioners’ dues pending

In July, the Supreme Court in it's decision had asked the government to pay grade-pay and arrears to the central government pensioners wef Januray 1, 2006 as this benefit was not given to them at the time of pay fixation. The review petition of the central government was also rejected by the Supreme Court. But the government is dilly-dallying on the payment to the pensioners. At this last stage of their lives, the pensioners have so many woes and sufferings on the economic and family fronts. The spiralling rise in prices is making both ends meet difficult. Many are suffering from desperation as they have yet to fulfil their family liabilities. The government should take action in this regard before the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

H.C. BHORA, Chandigarh

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