M A I L B A G

Using cars as status symbols

Easy bank loans lure people to buy cars as status symbols. But the government is blissfully unaware of the consequences. The roads do not have the carrying capacity to cope with the huge influx of cars.

Moreover, a 5-seated car used by a single person is a criminal wastage of resources. A car owner living beyond his means is more likely to commit financial irregularities. Thus, it is time to limit the car population in Chandigarh and other cities of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

The following information should be sought in the application for car registration: Income-Tax certificate to ascertain the buyer’s financial status; the place where the car will be parked; if the buyer does not own a house an undertaking from his landlord that the car will be parked inside the house and not on the road; and sound reasons for purchasing a car instead of a two-wheeler.

Additionally, the provision of garage in every house should be made mandatory. Parking at public places and on the roads should be treated as an offence and the owners challaned.

S.S. BENIWAL, Chandigarh

Deplorable trend

The alacrity with which parents buy two-wheelers for their teenage children is not only dangerous for themselves but also all the road users. This is also against traffic and road safety rules. Teenagers in Mohali, Chandigarh and other cities, ride the bikes without helmets. They use mobile phones, jump the red light and mock at those waiting for the green signal.

The authorities should check this deplorable trend by enforcing traffic rules in public interest.

TARSEM PAUL VERMA, Mohali

Security question?

I was distressed to read a report on mobile sets catching Pakistani signals along the border. Clearly, anyone in India including a Pakistani national can use MTNL or BSNL landline or even a mobile phone with international roaming facility to talk to anyone in Pakistan. If this does not pose a threat to India’s sovereignty, I fail to understand how a signal from Pakistan within territory India can be a matter of concern for security agencies.

Indian Airtel signals can be received at Attari railway station near Wagah border. Consequently, Airtel mobile phones can be used from within the Pakistani territory. Yet, Pakistan has never complained that its security is at stake at the hands of Indians.

Since Partition, India and Pakistan have not pulled on well with each other. Now, when both countries and their citizens are trying to come closer, such reports will put the clock back.

RAJINDER KUMAR CHHIBBAR, Senior Advocate, Chandigarh

Teachers’ demands

Sadly, Punjab’s teachers are not being treated properly by the government. As a result, they are forced to stage protest rallies day in and day out. The Punjab and Chandigarh Colleges Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) has been urging the government to fulfil some long-standing demands, but in vain.

The lackadaisical attitude of the government is mainly responsible for the situation in private aided colleges of Punjab. The government should fulfil the legitimate demands of the teaching community without delay.

RAJAN KAPOOR, Nakodar

Pervez’s colours

On the eve of “Kashmir Day” celebrations in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf demonstrated his true colours. He not only reiterated his demand for self-rule, demilitarisation and regional autonomy, but also declared that if India failed to accept his proposals or come out with counter-proposals within a reasonable period, the bilateral relations will be affected.

The hard fact is that Pakistan wants to grab Kashmir by hook or by crook. The CBMs and the so-called people-to-people contact programmes are just a smokescreen to show to the world that Pakistan is sincerely interested to solve the border problem and that India is playing villain. We must give a fitting rebuff to Pakistan’s threats.

J.K. MAGO, Panchkula

Tribals’ woes

Unfortunately, tribal unrest is increasing in many states. After Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are facing the same problem. These states too are witness to similar problems of tribal rehabilitation and compensation. Hence there is need for a comprehensive policy in this regard.

It would be better if the payment of compensation for the land acquired by the government for development is made well in advance at market price. Rehabilitation too must be prompt so that the concerns of the displaced families are addressed properly and reasonably. Development should not be at the cost of the poor tribals’ displacement.

RAVI SHARMA, Jammu

NRI investment in Punjab Maj (Dr) Gulshan Sharma’s decision to invest Rs 5,000 crore in Punjab is welcome. For potential investment, he intends to explore areas like information technology, telecommunication, infrastructure development, real estate financial services, aviation, tourism, hospitality, entertainment and biotechnology. Such initiatives are laudable because these will give a boost to development. We must develop planned housing colonies as in South East Asia where multistory complexes as blocks have come up with wide roads, parking zones and other facilities like special provision for elderly persons, creches, and schools. Parking is a serious problem in almost every city and town in our country. Sadly, this problem is yet to be tackled though the population of vehicles is multiplying faster than the human population. S.R. MITTAL, Ludhiana