Rejected MPs & MLAs 

It is a strange practice that though rejected by voters, defeated MPs and MLAs are made heads of various boards/corporations with minister of state status white elephants. Some are bestowed with governerships of states. Pampered persons like Shivraj Patil, a defeated MP, was made Union Home Minister by Sonia Gandhi. When he failed miserably, he was again rewarded with Punjab Governership. ND Tewari, a governor who was caught in an ignoble act, was just asked to resign but was never brought to book and punished. Persons of high calibre and integrity like senior officers should be considered for high offices. 

All defeated politicians must resign on their own. It is hoped that BJP will establish a healthy precedent in this regard.

LJ Singh, Amritsar

Appointing governors

The news “UP Governor quits, more may follow” (June 18) is on the expected lines. The new appointments should be above political considerations and based on merit. As the governors also perform the duties of a chancellor in the state university, they should be academic statesmen of standing and possess the attribute of honesty of purpose. Let there be no move to rehabilitate cadres above 70 years of age.

Prof MM Goel, Kurukshetra

Indecent hurry

The editorial “Governors and governance” (June 20) rightly says that Raj Bhavans should not be reduced to old-age homes where ailing and redundant political loyalists are dumped. As suggested by the Supreme Court, only reputed elder statesmen, able administrators and eminent personalities should be appointed as Governors and they should not be removed with change of guard. The Modi government is in an indecent hurry to get the Raj Bhavans vacated to accommodate BJP leaders, including some past their ‘shelf life’.

Jaswant Singh Gandam, Phagwara

Sex ratio

The sex ratio is declining despite efforts made by the Haryana Government. We should introspect why we failed to make the people understand about the problem. People should also understand that keeping a social balance is their responsibility as well.

gurjot singh, Jagadhri

Mangoes sans sweetness

Mango, the season’s king of fruits, is available in abundance. However, it is not as delicious as it used to be. Artificial ripening of the fruit is the reason. Our high-ups are well-known for gifting select mangoes to foreign dignitaries. They must come to the rescue of the taste buds of the mango lovers of the country and ensure good quality fruit at reasonable prices.

PROF BM RAWLLEY, Zirakpur

Update site, PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s website http://pm.nic.in is marred by a few blemishes. There is no scope/provision in the website for anyone to interact with the PM on the issue(s) other than listed therein. 

The suggested ‘Choose Subject’ drop-down menu should have an exhaustive list of subjects, otherwise it should have ‘Any Other’ as one of the options. For instance, there is no scope for interaction with the PM on social and cultural issues. 

The options given in the ‘Choose Subject’ should appear in some order, preferably the alphabetic order. 

Also, timely updating of various segments should be ensured. For instance, the section on ‘News Updates’ carries the last picture/entry of June 4.

Dr Ravi K Mahajan, Illinois (USA)

Committee of one

P. Lal's middle “Touching the feet” (June 19) touches upon an important point, especially for the political class in our country: “A committee of one — or two! — gets things done.” On the contrary, what we see in our country are committees with at least half a dozen members on almost every conceivable issue that are “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

Lal was selected as a lecturer in physics in Lucknow University by a committee of two, headed by the Vice-Chancellor and including the Head of the Department. As the writer says, no written examination or interview were held and cutting through the red tape, the committee took a quick decision. 

MICKEY BANSAL, Panchkula