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

Stray animals

The news report “Stray animals to get new shelter” (October 25) is heartening as stray animals are a menace to crops, road safety, eco-preservation and environment. We take immediate commiseration over the plight of abandoned cows, oxen, buffaloes, dogs and other domestic animals. The owners exploit the animals when they are in their prime and disown them when they are old and useless. These animals find easy resting spots on roads, in rain shelters and other public places, causing nuisance. These vagabonds spoil crops and vegetation and become a threat to human safety on roads.

Some years ago, the HP Government had started the registration of domestic animals with a special number punched on the animal's ear for identification. But this practice was discontinued. To check this menace, the government should register every livestock along with its owner and impose penalties on offenders who disown animals. Shelters for such cattle are also needed. In some states, with warning, stray dogs are shot down.

BALAK RAM DHIMAN, Nadaun

Dog homes needed

The population of dogs is increasing rapidly. As a result, the stray dog menace has assumed alarming proportions. Stray dogs are now no less than wild animals. They bite human beings, maul children and are a threat for senior citizens. They must live in jungles only. The people of the city are not trained to deal with attacks from dogs. The government must come to the rescue of the hapless citizens.

Mahesh Kumar, via email

Street dogs

The huge number of street dogs is a threat for residents, especially children and old people. They move in streets in herds. The number of dog bite cases in cities has risen. The authorities concerned should take action.

Sonia Chopra, Amritsar

Animals a threat

The municipal corporations/committees and local authorities in Punjab must become alert to stray animals roaming in streets and causing major accidents and posing threats to human life. There may be unreported incidents of bites of dogs and hits by bulls or fights between two animals. Recently, my brother-in-law, who is also a resident of Patiala, while returning from Sirhind Road, met with an accident due to two fighting bulls. He suffered a deep cut on his neck and was bleeding profusely. After first aid at a nearby hospital, he was operated upon by doctors at Government Rajindra Hospital. The matter was enquired into by the police station of Tripuri, but it seems that nothing will happen.

Will the local authorities do something in this regard, so that more lives may not fall prey to the danger lurking in streets?

Parveen Kumar, Patiala

Start online facility

This has reference to various news reports and advertisements asking people to come forward for registration as voters and for correction in voter list and voter card. The revision is taking place from October 15 to November 10 in Punjab. My personal experience is that despite filling application Form-8 for correction of data in the voter list and in my voter card, no correction has been done. After the revision in September last year, when I again received my voter card, the mistakes remained. Many other voters were also complaining about the same grievance.

To overcome this problem, an online portal should be made available. A citizen wanting to enroll himself as a voter and a voter seeking a correction in his card, may fill in his personal details himself and upload his photograph online. He could hand over its printout to the BLO along with testimonials and proofs. This way, the mistakes happening commonly and frequently while entering data at the election office will not happen. This facility may be in addition to the manual system.

Also, there is no online facility on the website of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, for registering voters’ grievances.

HARINDER MITTAL, Bathinda

Implement OROP

We, senior citizens and veterans of the Indian Army, salute the Prime Minister for his feelings for the soldiers. His visit to Siachen glacier, the highest military position in the world, on Diwali has raised the morale of the Army. But the silent hard hitting factor for the soldiers and their families is also the stability of reasonable financial conditions. The government must release the one rank, one pension proposal for the soldiers. This would be stronger tribute to the Army.

Lt-Col Kirpal Singh (retd), Banikhet (Chamba)

Whither OROP?

It was heartening to read the report on Rao Inderjit Singh's visit to the Western Command HQ, (October 27) where he reiterated the government's commitment to implement the long overdue OROP. However, such statements are hollow. Veterans, many of whom are in the fading years of life, wake up each day with a fresh ray of hope, which ends up by evening into yet another sombre night of dismay! When will OROP be translated into reality?

Col Bobby Garewal (retd), Mohali

Equality desirable

Women’s empowerment has been one of the urgent reforms needed and is indeed under way. But empowerment of women must not come at the cost of men. We should not de-empower the masculine gender, but take care of their rights also. We should promote an equal society and not tilt the scales in favour of either of gender.

Preet Simar Johal, Jalandhar

Love jihad

It is better if lovebirds are left alone. Youth must not be pushed for vote banks in the name of love jihad even as the youngsters burn in the fire of love. Let us not communalise relationships.

Brij B Goyal , Ludhiana

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