Poor institutes

The authorities are responsible for the opening up of a large number of private institutes as they are given approvals and NoCs without having properly analysed their feasibility. These private institutes often indulge in malpractices by giving commissions to agents or luring the students in the name of scholarships or providing free education for a semester. Quality is lacking in such colleges.

NAVNEET SETH, Dhuri

Loot by banks

Private sector banks milk customers through various unethical service charges without informing them. The amounts are quietly debited without intimation (not even an SMS) and the customer detects this only if he or she keeps track of the transactions in the account. Many banks levy service charges in the name of third party transactions. The accounts are opened only to facilitate financial transactions and restricting third party transaction itself is against the spirit of banking.

If someone pays cash into a customer's account, immediately the bank deducts Rs 112.36 from the account. Even if only ~5 is paid, the bank will deduct Rs 112.36. If someone wants to take revenge, he can pay ~5 several times and the account holder will lose Rs 112.36 each time!

I wonder if the regulators are aware of this trick played by private sector banks. Customers are not allowed to contact the branches directly by phone or email. The only option is to go through the call centre which always tests one's patience and is time-consuming. It is high time the RBI took a look at the way private sector banks loot customers.

S C DHALL, Zirakpur

Clean habits

This refers to Deep Inder’s midddle “The doomed clean India campaign”. Through the satirical piece, the writer reflects on our bad habits and refusal to change for the better. Clean habits have to be cultivated right from childhood and nursery schools. But unfortunately no one cares. Instead of appreciating cleanliness, very often a lot many of us tend to ridicule or quarrel with the person who insists on keeping the surroundings neat and clean and doesn't allow you to have your way. Thousands of glitches notwithstanding, the right thinking people will wholeheartedly appreciate and support Prime Minister Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

RJ Khurana, via email

Cleanliness must

I am surprised to read the middle by Deep Inder “The doomed cleanliness campaign” (November 25). Even if it is written in a satirical way, the argument “how can Mr Modi succeed where Mahatma failed” is absurd. It is good that somebody has taken the initiative to start the cleanliness drive. If we want to develop the nation and compete with the world, cleanliness is a must. We need to inculcate the habit of cleanliness in the younger generation and the masses. We should not lose hope.

RL Verma, Ludhiana

Cheaper sand?

This refers to the news item “Wait for cheap sand far from over” (November 9). Concerned at the spiralling prices of sand and gravel in the state, the government decided to allot quarries to the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation with the sole purpose of supplying these minor minerals at affordable rates to the people. The first operation of sand mining was recently inaugurated at Digana Khurd village in Hoshiarpur. But the noble initiative was marred by some obstacles. First, what was the great compulsion of implementing this scheme without getting clearances from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests? Doesn't it amount to flouting the law? Second, how could some local politicians dare try to stall the mining process? Can't they be charged with obstructing the public officials in the execution of their duties? Third, why didn't the government take villagers of the area into confidence as they had also resisted the move? Maybe, they were instigated by the existing cartel of private mining contractors who offered them better returns for their sandy lands. The Punjab government must not succumb to any undue pressure and show signs of slackening. Instead, it should simultaneously safeguard the interests of both the land owners and the consumers, and start its proposed mining operations at the earliest. The authorities should check unscrupulous elements enjoying political and bureaucratic patronage in the stealth of sand from the Bhangi choe in the city.

DS Kang, Hoshiarpur

No degrees

At the convocation held in Government Medical College, Amritsar, recently, students from three batches were called for conferring MBBS, MS, MD, BSc and PhD degrees. The date of the convocation was changed thrice, causing inconvenience to them. Finally, many students had to return empty-handed as their degrees had not been readied.

Dr VK GARG, via email