A review of failures

IN the article “A review of failures: system needs close scrutiny” (The Tribune, July 30) Mr Hari Jaisingh has rightly asserted: “Overreaction on sensitive national issues could be as unproductive as underreaction.” The issue of intelligence failure has been blown out of proportion equally by the politicians and the print media.

Over the issue, as sensitive as the security of the country, politicians and the Press should behave responsibly. To cast aspersions on the country’s security network is indirectly to demoralise our fighting forces. We have won the war in Kargil. For this, our Army and Air Force in particular and the nation as a whole deserve to be congratulated. Besides, Pakistan has to face humiliation all over the world for waging an undeclared war against India.

India has every reason to be happy and in an upbeat mood. Casting aspersions over the country’s security concerns when it is celebrating its triumph over the enemy, is to belittle the valour of the nation’s military.

The souls of our soldiers who laid down their lives while defending our territory will curse those who ever tried to draw political mileage out of their supreme sacrifices.

IQBAL SINGH
Bijhari (Hamirpur)

INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES: Mr Hari Jaisingh aptly remarks that "the working of our intelligence agencies leaves a lot to be desired.

As a rule the intelligence agencies have to play a significant role, particularly in the context of national security and territorial integrity. The role played by these agencies, especially in democracies and open societies, has been a matter of sustained interest to all sections. Unfortunately, however, the track record of Indian intelligence on the Kargil issue has been weefully dismal. Consequently doubts are naturally raised about its efficiency, ability and even integrity.

In fact, instances of intelligence agencies giving inadequate, false and misleading reports are not unknown in this country. There was much furore over the detention by the Intelligence Bureau of espionage activities by some important officials of the ISRO. An indepth investigation by the CBI threw light to question the basis and contents of the IB report unearthing the alleged espionage activities.

The required corrective measures, as pointed out by the author, would infuse confidence in the minds of the public about the reliability of our intelligence machinery. Interestingly, many important developments in this sphere are taking place in other parts of the world. One such development is the manner in which private groups are playing an influential role to ensure that the intelligence agencies do not get away with motivated or fabricated reports. In view of the vital public interest involved in ensuring that the government is not compelled to rely only on the official intelligence agencies and the reports given by them, a group of private scientists in the USA (for example, the Research Institutions group) has started evincing professional interest in the matter. In 1997, such a group accused the Federal Intelligence experts of lying "in suggesting that Russia had exploded a nuclear bomb in the Arctic wilds". The alleged nuclear explosion, as concluded by the group, was in fact a simple earthquake.

India needs such independent analysis more today than ever before. In future civilians are likely to get access to a variety of high-tech gadgets, including the "spy satellites". "Commercial spycraft" are already within the realm of reality in some parts of the world. These developments will no doubt corrode the governmental monopoly on "secret intelligence".

K.M. VASHISHT
Mansa

Security system not to blame: In my opinion, it would not be proper to blame the security system, as ultimately this is dependent on the “policy makers”, their perceptions, intentions and assessments. And sadly enough, our political masters lacked in all these respects. Bluntly speaking, they behaved like Yudhishthira with Pakistan, but acted like Duryodhana while dealing with the people. Even after the 1947-48, 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars, they continued to ignore defence. It was not the failure of the system but the failure of the political will and capability to see the reality.

When the BJP talked of making India an atomic power and militarily strong, it was ridiculed as a war-monger. At this very late stage it would be a tremendous job to make up the previous back-log.

ANAND PRAKASH
Panchkula

* * * *

Ban on appointments

Whether the Government of Haryana has taken a prudent fiscal measure by imposing a wholesale ban on appointments in its departments and government-aided institutions is a moot point. No doubt, an efficient and conscientious government is supposed to economise in every possible way by curtailing the avoidable and not-so-necessary expenditure.

Overstaffing in any department is a big drag on the economy, and it amounts to frittering away its scarce resources. So, the requirement of the staff in any office or institution should be worked out strictly in accordance with the workload, which should be assessed in a realistic and rationalised manner. But in a bid to rationalise the things if the indispensable posts are also not allowed to be filled, then the same measure becomes retrogressive and counter-productive.

For instance, if the Principal of a college is relieved of his responsibilities following his superannuation, and the same post is not allowed to be filled for a pretty long period on the plea that there is a total ban on appointments, naturally the institution will suffer considerably.

Many institutions in general and educational institutions in particular are wilting, and their functioning is being hampered in a big way due to this arbitrary and autocratic ban in Haryana. The sooner this ban is lifted, the better it will be for the public.

Now when a new government has taken charge in the state, it is hoped that the Chief Minister will lift the ban on appointment, realising the acute hardships being faced by the various organisations. The removal of the ban on appointments would amount to correcting one of the wrong decisions taken by the previous regime.

R.L. GOEL
Ladwa

* * * *

Medical varsity’s status

Through the columns of The Tribune I want to draw the attention of the people of Punjab to the sufferings of medical science students due to the decision that all medical colleges will be affiliated to this new university. This university has no infrastructure at present and is not a recognised institution. The degree issued by the university to MBBS/MD/MS students will not be valid outside Punjab.

What will the degree-holders of this university do? Will the state government issue some clarifications to allay the fears of students.

HARBANS LAL KOTHARI
Chandigarh

* * * *

Strength in unity

After suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of our valiant soldiers, Pakistan’s ISI is again active in the valley to spread violence and destroy communal harmony. Pakistan is still pursuing its dirty Operation Topac. The ISI is indulging in narcotics trade also which can destroy the backbone of the nation and can eat into the vitals of society.

Elections are imminent. The ISI will try its level best to disrupt the polls and destabilise India. There is not an iota of doubt that our security forces will be successful in exposing the evil designs of the enemy on every front. Ours is a big country, and the security forces and intelligence agencies are not supposed to be everywhere all the time.

It is the duty of the people also to cooperate with the administration. People are needed to be more vigilant now. The public should sow utmost unity, harmony and sincerity. The spirit that has got awakened after the Kargil misadventure of Pakistan should not be allowed to cool down. The nation’s interests should be our topmost priority.

The time has come to put our petty differences in cold storage and teach a lesson to the enemy. There is much to learn from the words of a sage that “Unity is strength”. We must follow it in spirit.

AJITPAL
Patti

* * * *

Clarification

The editorial “Apex court’s new focus” (Thursday) mentions Mr Justice Saghir Ahmed as part of the Supreme Court Bench which gave the 1996 verdict in the Satish Sharma case. This is incorrect. Justice Faizanuddin sat with Justice Kuldip Singh in the Bench which arraigned the former Petroleum Minister.

The error is regretted.

— Editor