The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Letters to the Editor

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L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R

Keep RTI away from bureaucrats

The editorial “RTI overload” (March 25) has rightly expressed concern over the tendency of appointing retired bureaucrats as information commissioners. While in service, they hide information and all of a sudden are appointed commissioners. The Punjab Commission has been without a boss for the last seven months.

In Haryana, the commission has become a “rehabilitation centre” for retired bureaucrats. Three senior-level retired bureaucrats were accommodated in the commission.

According to the Act, the selection should be from a wide-range of fields including law, social service and journalism. But it is the bureaucrats who are the favoured ones.

The Right to Information Act is being projected as a major achievement of the UPA government. But the appointment of retired bureaucrats is unfortunate.

PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL, Rohtak

Choice before voters

S Nihal Singh’s article “Turf war begins-- Congress, BJP fight for space in Hindi belt”(March 24) has rightly analysed why regional parties thrust their agenda on the Congress-led government. The infighting in the Congress and the BJP has put a question mark on the outcome of the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Since the two major parties might not be able to get a clear majority, the regional parties wish to leave no stone unturned and intend to gain influence in the Delhi Durbar. The staunch supporters of the UPA government are posing a threat to the Congress by contesting elections on their own without any seat adjustments.

The third front comprising regional parties will not be able to emerge any stronger and may die a premature death. It is, therefore, imperative that the Indian electorate ponder over the issue seriously and give their mandate either in favour of the Congress or the BJP, not only in the Hindi belt but also throughout the country.

MUKAND LAL KAUSHIK, Chandigarh

Crisis in Pakistan

I fully endorse H K Dua’s front-page editorial “There is no change in the basics in Pakistan” (March 18). After Pakistan’s return to democracy, a chaotic situation emerged because of the stubborn attitude of President Asif Zardari who refused to restore Mr Iftikhar Chaudhry as the Chief Justice. The Long March by lawyers, supported Mr Nawaz Sharif, led to pressure on Mr Zardari. The role of the Prime Minister, Mr Yousuf Raza Gilani, and the Army Chief, General Ashfaq Kiyani, are no less commendable.

Mr Pranab Mukherjee, Foreign Minister, has rightly remarked that a democratic and prosperous Pakistan is in India’s interest. But the crisis in Pakistan has only been defused temporarily.

IQBAL SINGH, Bijhari, Hamirpur

Identify priorities
The forthcoming elections are crucial for India. If mature and sensible candidates get elected, India could continue to strengthen its political and economic position globally.

India should focus on clear-cut priorities. The country should ensure a high growth rate by boosting internal demand and value-added exports. India will also have to boost defence spending to build a top-class Army in view of terrorist threats. Moreover, corruption should be eradicated. India also needs to ensure that Indians who live below the poverty line rise above it. We also need to implement family planning. The infrastructure in urban areas needs strengthening. Again, 70 per cent of India lives in villages and we must provide excellent living facilities in rural areas.
India needs to improve its foodgrain production. A serious review is needed to identify untapped reserves of oil or natural gas to transform the country. Self-sufficiency in energy will conserve foreign exchange.Rising crime in urban areas demands special policing arrangements. This is an ambitious agenda. But for a resilient India, we need to pursue it.
RAJENDRA K ANEJA, Dubai, UAE