Little relief

The relief announced by the Prime Minister for the kin of those killed in the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 is too late and too low also. While Modi deserves thanks from the Sikh community, the amount should be increased to make it commensurate with the price index of 2014. This amount appears to be too meagre at the prevailing price levels.

KS Khurana, Amritsar

Riots: Justice denied

Thirty years have passed since the 1984 riots and it seems that it may take another three decades for justice to arrive. Unlike the majority of the Muslim community which went against the Jan Sangh when Babri Masjid was attacked and after the Godhra carnage, most Sikhs, despite attacks on the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple and killings during the riots, continued to show loyalty to the political party that sponsored the 1984 genocide. While an assassin is hanged within months, the ones responsible for mass murders are roaming scot-free for 30 years. This delay is denial of justice.

Deepjot S Thukral, Ambala Cantt

Just for votes

The compensation to riot victims has been announced only to lure Sikh voters as elections in Delhi are on the cards. Mere compensation or candle marches do not heal the wounds. The victims want justice. The Election Commission should look into the matter as this is a bribe to the voter of the community, not relief. Why is relief not given to victims of terrorism? They are also facing hardships.

Kulwant Singh Sohi, via email

Medical bills

Earlier, the Punjab Government pensioners and employees were entitled to free (cashless) treatment at the PGIMER, Chandigarh. But this facility has now been withdrawn. As a result, the pensioners are put to a great inconvenience. They have to arrange for medicines and other medical needs themselves. After treatment, they have to send medical reimbursement documents to the department from where they retired. The department, then, sends the bills to the Director, Health and Family Welfare Department. After approval from the Director, which takes a lot of time, the bills are returned to the department concerned. The bills are then sent to Treasury officers for approval. After a lot of delay and red-tapism, the bill is reimbursed.

To make the indoor treatment hassle-free, the Punjab Fifth Pay Commission has recommended free treatment, as was being done earlier. The government should restore the facility of free (cashless) indoor treatment at the PGIMER to its pensioners.

The fixed monthly medical allowance of Rs 500 also needs to be raised to at least Rs 1,000 per month as it is too meagre for outdoor treatment.

GR Kalra, Panchkula

Unhealthy fumes

Though the Punjab Government has prohibited the burning of straw and stubble in fields, the practice goes on unchecked. The sky becomes dark, causing difficulty in breathing in this polluted atmosphere. People find it hard to even go out on evening walks or move out because of congestion and the burning of eyes. Asthmatic patients are the most affected as the inhalers too become ineffective.

Why is the Pollution Department sleeping on the issue while the people’s health is deteriorating? The farmers should be motivated to sell the straw for use in bio-mass plants.

OP Garg, Patiala

Don’t burn stubble

The picture with the report “Stubble trouble in Ghogripur village of Karnal” (October 31) speaks a thousand words. Stubble burning is done routinely, as is evident while travelling.

Farmers do not seem to be bothered by its bad affects. It not only causes pollution but also invites diseases among people. Why are the Pollution Control Board and Agriculture Department silent spectators? If the PCB cannot plug this menace, it is a white elephant and, hence, it should be either closed down or restructured. Besides awareness campaigns, some strict action must be taken to nip this evil.

Sushma Arora & Rajinder Kumar Arora, Kurukshetra