Tackling terrorism

“TACKLING global terrorism: India’s significant role” (November 3) by Mr T.V. Rajeswar highlights how during the past few decades certain groups functioning under different degrees of stress have intentionally utilised the techniques of physical and psychological force which include intimidation, repression, coercion and destruction of property and lives for attaining ideological and political goals.

Indiscriminate killings of statesmen, even of people not related to the terrorists’ grievances, kidnappings, hijacking and bombing are some of the means which terrorists employ to weaken national security, undermine the rule of law and challenge a government’s authority. Consequently, the management of terrorism has become a criminal issue and it is not possible for any country to tackle the problem easily.

The use of the police and paramilitary forces for combating terrorism has created an apprehension that it might lead to the oppression of the general populace. There is a smooth international network of collaboration among the various terrorist groups supported by a few countries throughout the world. The striking example of Pakistan’s involvement in orchestrating terrorism in Punjab and Kashmir during the last few decades can be cited.

The widening gap between the various governments regarding a common strategy for the suppression of terrorism needs to be viewed in the context of the potential for threat that it holds. In an environment where terrorist violence is endemic and the world stands hopelessly divided on various international laws all countries should shun their national prerogative in favour of international imperatives.

These days terrorists are well integrated and move to locations which are generally anonymous and provide immediate help to other terrorist groups without being apprehended. Over the years, the strategies and methods of terrorists have become sophisticated, and they are successful in acquiring more lethal weapons. Chemical weapons are normally not so easily detectable by anti-terrorist squads. They are easily transportable compared with conventional weapons. There is a lack of national law and regulation that prevents the acquisition of such chemical weapons. International cooperation and treaties for avoiding the use of nuclear weapons could prove an important strategy in the management of nuclear terrorism.

K.M. VASHISHT
Mansa

Octroi abolition

The INLD-BJP Government in Haryana is on a spree of announcing and implementing populist policies ever since it assumed power in July this year. The latest in the series is the abolition of octroi in the state on the auspicious occasion of Haryana Day not withstanding the grim financial scenario of municipalities in the state. The Chief Minister has attributed the decision to the benefit of traders and industrialists of state.

Under the Municipal Act, the municipal bodies ought to generate resources on their own for their income. Their condition is “Living from hand to mouth”. It is a well known fact that octroi constitutes a major portion of income for them. Other sources such as house tax, rents from shops etc are only a drop in the ocean. Thus this step would further deteriorate the financial position of municipal bodies in Haryana. They will be unable to pay even the salary of their employees, what to talk of the development, improvement or maintenance works? Mere assurance of the government to absorb the octroi staff against vacant posts in various government departments would not do.

The government should compensate the municipalities on the lines of UP which is granting 11 per cent of state’s revenue to municipal bodies on account of abolition of octroi. Also, alternative sources of income should be created for municipalities after mutual consultations between representatives of both government and municipalities.

HEMANT KUMAR
Ambala City

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Erosion of basic values

The recent UN Development Programme (UNDP) report has not come as a surprise categorising India as one of the “most corrupt and poorly governed” countries in the South Asian region in the light of what is happening in the country.

The root cause of all that ails the country is the fall in moral standards resulting from the erosion of the national character. Corruption in public life has not only assumed dangerous proportions, it has also debased all ethical norms. It has now got institutionalised in our society. Sadly, “India today is a living example of the fact that cynicism corrupts, and absolute cynicism corrupts absolutely”.

In our country, the erosion of basic democratic values has also assumed serious proportions. Time and again elected representatives have made a mockery of democracy with their unbecoming and undemocratic behaviour on the floor of both Houses of Parliament. This fissiparous tendency has not only done incalculable harm to a clean and result-oriented governance but also for the unity and integrity of the country. Ironically enough, politicians are more conscious of their ego than making themselves responsive to the needs and aspirations of the masses.

Though an object of higher expectation, the civil service over a period of time has also become less effective. The environment has been vitiated by rampant corruption at all levels. The bureaucrats are more concerned with their career and other related personal matters than providing effective and efficient administrative back-up for good governance.

Nevertheless, in the light of the UNDP report, the time is ripe to rewrite Iqbal’s immortal patriotic song, “Saare jahan se achchha, Hindostan hamara” as “Saare jahan se achchha bhrashtachar hamara”.

K.GOPAKUMAR MENON
Sonepat

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Photo contest

The photo division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, has called for the entry of photographs on the theme “Progressive Village”.

The last date fixed for the submission of entries was October 31, 1999. No time concession has been allowed for the submission of entries by tribal area contestants.

Moreover, the last two days of the notice period happened to be closed holidays. The entrants of tribal areas as well as others have thus been put to disadvantage.

It is requested that 30 days of grace period should be allowed for the tribal areas and three days for the rest of the country.

K.L. NOATAY
Shimla