M A I L B A G

It’s time for restraint in Punjab

The situation in Punjab is getting out of hand with the assembly elections not far away. The lathi charge on women students, the Ludhiana City Centre corruption case, daily road blockade by unemployed youth, teachers, anganwari workers, etc, provide proof of it.

Farmers are often blocking railway lines in protest against their land being usurped by big sharks. Corruption in all offices is going on with impunity. A poster war in vernacular newspapers has been started by the major political parties indulging in a blame-game.

Both the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) should observe restraint. They should do something jointly for the development of Punjab. The state is fast losing ground to other states in terms of development.

Dr Ranbir Singh Pannu, Amritsar 

ULFA menace

For the last more than 30 years, ULFA has been indulging in violent activities in Asom. Its cadres are responsible for kidnappings, extortions, killings and other lawless acts. They are demanding sovereign status, independent of India.

Asom, they allege, is presently under colonial occupation. But now they have crossed all limits by issuing a call to the people of Asom to pay taxes designated as “ULFA TAX”. This is undoubtedly a revolt against the country and an unpardonable act. It amounts to a challenge to the authority of the Government of India, which no Government worth its name can tolerate.

ULFA deserves no mercy. Nothing is to be gained by talks or ceasefire. This mutinous organisation should be made to face the consequences for its seditious stand. The sooner, the better.

J.K.Mago, Panchkula.

Pathankot airport

Work on the Pathankot airport was started during the previous regime. However, the airport still awaits inauguration. The airport will cater to the needs of the people of the Pathankot-Gurdaspur belt and also adjoining Himachal Pradesh. It will give a boost to tourism in the area and provide jobs to hundreds of youths. Had it been made operational on schedule, it would have earned crores by now.

I had read in The Tribune last year that New flights Delhi- Srinagar and New Delhi-Leh would halt at Pathankot after commencement of operations. There is no need to buy any new aircraft to make the airport functional.

The Rajya Sabha MP, the local MLA and, above all, the state government should prevail upon the Prime Minister and the Civil Aviation Minister to make the airport operational immediately.

GURMEET SINGH, Pathankot

College elections

The recent decision of the Supreme Court implementing the suggestions given by the J.M. Lyngdoh committee on the conduct of student union elections in universities and affiliated colleges across the country is appreciable.

The recommendations given by former Chief Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh would certainly bring transparency in the conduct of student union elections and would ensure free and fair elections. The politicisation of college elections has been rampant thanks to the political parties who harness talents for their own political interest.

Md ZIYAULLAH KHAN, Kondhwa

What about students?

The recent proposal for increasing the retirement age of lecturers and Punjab government officers from 58 to 60 years will greatly affect the prospects of the jobless youth. Where will we find jobs? If posts are not vacated, how will new recruitment be made?

I urge the authorities to review the proposal because it will render youth unemployed for two more years. It is this unrest among the educated youth that leads to crime in the country.

GURNOOR BRAR, Govt College for Women, Ludhiana

Battery bikes

The rising cost of petrol and diesel has made life miserable for vehicle-owners. I would like to request the manufacturers of scooters and bikes to bring battery-operated bikes in the market. An Ahmedabad-based company has already started manufacturing battery-operated bikes.

MANJIT SINGH, Dhakoli