M A I L B A G

Governors, then and now

The Congress is now playing with the posts of Governor. The Constitution says the Governor’s post is for six years and only non-active politicians or non-political persons should be given this post. But our politicians hardly care for the Constitution. It is now merely a “granth” that you remember only when you are in the Opposition or when you are down and out. It is like "Hanuman Chalisa", which is remembered by the political parties only when they are in trouble.

Now the BJP is crying foul, but someone should tell it that it, too, appointed Mr Madan Lal Khurana, a politician, Governor of Rajasthan. Instead of repeating the same wrong, the Congress should have stuck to the basics of the Constitution and not tampered with it.

This would have increased the stature of Congress leaders. There is a saying, "Chor, Chor Mausere Bhai". We can safely assume that all of them live in the same family, but work for different employers. If the Congress is the Tata of Indian politics, the BJP is Reliance.

The power to appoint the Governor should rest only with the President. A person like Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is always the best judge.

SUMEET SETH, Kaithal

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RAJINDER RANA, Patlander (HP)

 

Help senior citizens As the national budget is being given the final touches, senior citizens too expect the Finance Ministry to be a bit considerate about them. Many senior citizens are getting no pension and interest on the meagre amount they got at the time of retirement, which is dwindling with the passing of each day. So, it is becoming very difficult for them to make both ends meet. Dr Manmohan Singh, an eminent economist, and Mr Chidambaram are the best judges to do something in the form of concessions for senior citizens. K.L. BATRA, Yamunanagar

Charge us for usage

When we build a house we make the provision of electricity points as per the requirements of the HSEB or other electricity boards. The energy load is calculated by the HSEB on all the points so provided.

But mostly we use only those points where we need light and always switch off lights when not in use. However, when the consumption of electricity is less than the sanctioned load, the HSEB issues bills on the sanctioned load basis and not for the actual units consumed. Thus, a consumer has to pay more than his actual consumption. Must a consumer waste energy to make full use of the sanctioned load? Does it not make a mockery of the slogan "Save energy, help nation"?

In the adjoining state of HP and also in most of other states, domestic consumers are charged only for the actual consumption of energy, be it less or more than the sanctioned load. Why not by the HSEB?

B.N. DWEDI, Panchkula

Trees for link roads

Village link roads are without shady trees. The BDPOs are responsible for the development of areas under their jurisdiction and can play a big role in this regard. They are well acquainted with the local conditions and the soil position. The panchayat should be made responsible for the upkeep of the planted trees along these roads.

B.S. SIRSA, VPO Dhun (SAS Nagar)

Save the principals

Apropos of the news item “Principal alleges harassment by ex-employer” (June 23), Dr Rakesh Mohan, Principal, SPN College, Mukerian, was earlier a lecturer at SRPAAB College, Pathankot.

As per the GND University calendar, he is entitled to gratuity and transfer of provident fund to the new institution. All his requests to his ex-employer have been in vain.

Dr. A.S. Dua, Dean, College Development Council, GND University, Amritsar, has asked the college management and the Principal to immediately release the gratuity and transfer his provident fund account to the new institution. Even the order of the DPI, Punjab, in this regard has not been implemented by the managing committee and the Principal of SRPAAB College, Pathankot. The university must now show its teeth to the erring colleges.

B. D. Budhiraja, General Secretary, Principals’ Association of Non-Government Colleges, Chandigarh

Iraq plan of the US

Apropos of handing over of power to the Iraqi Government by the US (June 28), the US is a bully. It tends to show off its military power and wealth. Its basic aim was to destroy Iraq and thereby capture all its wealth. Iraq is rich in oil. The US has even destroyed that.

It has left nothing of Iraq. Only chaotic conditions. And now President Bush wants to recreate Iraq. This is really funny. Iraq can never regain all its wealth. The new Prime Minister of Iraq, Mr Iyad Allawi, has a daunting task ahead. He has to bring up the new government in a systematic manner.

I hope Iraq becomes a developed nation and once again becomes prosperous.

ANIKET SINGH, Ambala Cantt