L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Migrating officers

Apropos the news item “Officers twist Punjab leave rules to amass wealth abroad” (August 13). It is true that many Punjab Government employees come to Canada after taking leave. They come after acquiring migration visas while remaining government employees. This blocks someone else’s opportunity for a job. Officers sanctioning leave must check the type of visa granted to the employees before sanctioning them leave.

Gurnam, Surrey (Canada)

Condition of schools

The condition of government schools in Punjab is not as bad as described in the editorial “Demolition of classroom” (August 12). No doubt, some schools are on the verge of closure. But some others are overcrowded with an imbalanced teacher-student ratio. One teacher is teaching a class of up to 80 students. At the same time, some schools have very few students but many teachers. The government is compelled to merge these schools with those nearby. But with the involvement of local leaders, it becomes a political issue and, eventually, the merger is cancelled. Then the Education Department has a policy called ‘rationalisation’. But it has failed miserably because staffers are shifted from schools where they are needed. No one shifts teachers having political links.

Had the court not been approached with a PIL petition, there would not have been any initiative to demolish unsafe buildings by the department. A school bus met with an accident near Nakodar due to rash driving by the driver. For some days, school bus drivers were dealt with strictly. When there is a fire incident, measures are taken to avoid such occurrences. And if a problem with midday meal is detected, it is taken up seriously.

Likewise, if a student is given corporal punishment, a letter exhorting teachers not to resort to violence against students is circulated. If there is an incident of sexual abuse, the department takes up the issue with vigour. Amazing! We first wait for something to happen and then do something. Policies should be in place to ensure such incidents do not happen routinely.

Ravinder Kumar Udha, Jalandhar City

Russian ban

The article “Russian ban: A blessing in disguise?” by Pritam Singh (August 11) indicates that the Russian ban on food imports from western countries may improve the global food prices, change the structure of global food trade and have important implications for developing nations. India is a leading country in terms of foodgrain production and is facing a number of challenges to achieve the national objective of food security. The food-fuel conflict is one of the major challenges in this respect. The Government of India has embraced biofuel because the present economy sustains on fossil fuel. The fuel exporting countries blackmail developing nations, especially India, by charging high rates of fossil fuel. So, India is looking for a long-term substitute for fossil fuel. The production of biofuel through foodgrains reflects the current situation of expected fall in foodgrain production, higher agricultural prices and an increase in poverty.

In India, while the cultivated area has remained the same, the population pressure has gone up over time. Our priority is to ensure food security. The production of biofuel at the expense of food and animal feed, could increase food prices. The government should not support biofuel production. Additionally, export of food items should be banned. These steps will contribute to ensuring food security.

Sunny Kumar, Ludhiana

Food security

The article “Russian ban: A blessing in disguise?” correctly highlights the issue of food security which has clear relevance to the Indian economy as well. Recently, India refused to sign the agreement on trade facilitation with WTO in order to protect the interests of Indian farmers which are related to subsidy. The article highlights the issue of food security which gets priority over the free trade regime. At the same time, there is an implicit message that international trade is governed by both economics and politics.

Finally, the argument that crisis leads to reform or change is an optimistic claim which is yet to be observed in the Russia food security issue.

Amit Kumar, Bangalore

Pure milk must

It is time has that the people of India get milk supply through plants because the 'dhol walas' give adulterated milk. Since milk is used in every house and it is also the diet of children, it must be pure and fresh. Newspapers report that as and when checks are conducted, milk supply is found to be adulterated and polluted. Even the milk found with the confectioners is substandard. The government must take up this matter in Parliament and come out with a law under which good quality milk is ensured through milk plants after due processing.

Dalip Singh Wasan, Patiala

Mansarovar yatra wish

The letter by Dr Manuja “Mansarovar yatra route” (August 5) was interesting. In our childhood (during the fifties of the last century), we used to read in school books that the nearest way to Mansarovar is via Shipki as mentioned by Dr Manuja. Alas, we cannot use that route now. We also used to read that hans (holy swans) flow over the water of the spiritual Mansarovar which is also the place of meditation and penance of Lord Siva. Holy men like Guru Nanak also went there and held conversations with yogis. I have a great desire to visit Mansarover. I am a 70-year-old yogi. Will I be able to visit Mansarovar in this life or in my next reincarnation?

Amarjit S Goraya, Griffith (Australia)

Promote NCC

Kudos to the Punjab Government for its initiation in setting up five NCC nagars in the state on the pattern of Gujarat (“Now, NCC nagars based on Gujarat model”, August 12). This will not only give a much-needed impetus to the NCC activities but also motivate youths to join the NCC. These strong, organised and self-motivated cadets are capable of eradicating the evil of drug menace which is eating into the vitals of every third youth of Punjab.

In addition, the state government should also enhance the rank pay as well as honorarium of the associate NCC officers who are the backbone of this organisation. Hope the governments will providing facilities to cadets and associate NCC officers.

Major HARINDER SINGH KANG, Capt DEEPAK KAUSHIK, Yamunanagar

Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribuneindia.com