M A I L B A G

Developing backward areas

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s proposal to set up one Central University in each state and a degree college in each district is most welcome (Editorial, “The more the merrier: Centre spares a thought for education”, June 5). However, such a university should be set up in a backward and educationally neglected region of the state where there are no institutions of excellence.

For example, in Haryana, the distribution of universities is highly skewed. In the western region, there are two universities in Hisar and one in Sirsa. Agroha (Hisar) has a medical college.

There are three universities in the central region, one at Rohtak, a technical university at Sonepat, and women’s university at Khanpur Kalan in Sonepat. Rohtak also has a medical college.

In the north, there is a university, a NIT and a REC at Kurukshetra. The most neglected areas are Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Gurgaon and Mewat from where the students have to go to far off places for education. Rewari does not have even a government college.

Therefore, one central university and one medical and engineering or management university each should be set up in Mahendragarh, Rewari and Mewat respectively.

PURAN SINGH, State Coordinator, Development & Panchayats, (Haryana), Chandigarh

II

Despite various recommendations right from the Kothari report (1964-66), India could spend only 3 per cent of its GDP as against the target of 6 per cent on education. According to a recent study by Punjabi University, Patiala, only 4.13 per cent students in the university are from the rural areas. The national target to achieve a 15 per cent enrolment ratio on higher level by 2015 seems to be a distant dream.

The idea of Central University in each state will definitely help. Scarcity of funds and petty politics in state universities are endangering the teaching and research ambience. The UGC has to steer clear of functioning like a dictator. It should act as a facilitator rather than a controller. It should make rules to help maintain 
academic ambience.

I am afraid, while asking the states to bridge the rural-urban divide by opening more degree colleges at each district, the Centre is giving a free hand to the states to allow private universities and colleges. Some of them are mere degree shops, confusing the students and parents.

Opening of Central universities and degree colleges is welcome, but the
government has to book the private sellers of education.

SUKHWINDER SINGH, Ludhiana

Taming the Bar

If court, with all its contempt clauses, finds it hard to tame an advocate, imagine the plight of an ordinary citizen who engages a lawyer to plead his case in a court of law. Lawyers are frequently, if not invariably, the cause of delayed justice.

Is it not desirable that the consumer fora and the administrative tribunals listen to the parties directly and settle the cases speedily?

Dr L.R. SHARMA, Solan

Visa refusal

I differ with Kuldip Nayar’s view in his article, “A lingering border dispute” (June 4) as regards refusal of visa to an IAS officer from Arunachal Pradesh which China does not consider as part of India but claims it to be their own territory in Indian possession.

Visa is issued only to a resident of a foreign country. Would New Delhi issue visa to the head of government of Pak-Occupied Kashmir (POK) which our Parliament unanimously declared as an integral part of India 47 years after Independence? The answer is an emphatic No. Consequently, why should Beijing’s refusal of visa to an Arunachal Pradesh resident spoil their case?

DALIP SINGH GHUMAN, Chandigarh

Teachers’ promotion

I appeal to Punjab Education Minister Dr Bibi Upinderjeet Kaur to rationlise the promotion scheme in the government aided schools on the pattern of government schools. By implementing the promotion panel and rationalisation policy, the Punjab government will able to fill all the posts of heads without any financial burden to the state government as seniormost teachers are already on higher grades.

JAGDISH LAL, Ludhiana

Illogical policy

Dr P. Kaur has hit the nail on the head in her letter, “Quota politics” (June 5). If the nation is to progress and become a super power, the most illogical, unethical, anti-national and anti-social policy of caste-based qoutas will have to be abolished.

Since selfish politicians are using this to fool the illiterate and poor masses, the onus is on the patriotic intelligentsia of the nation to wage a war against them with the help of the media, the judiciary and the students.

A.K. SHARMA, Chandigarh