Taking care of nation’s problems

THE country has been faced with a serious financial crisis for the last many years, and now the situation has become grave, rather uncontrollable. Our political masters at the helm of affairs are solely responsible for all this. They have no love lost for the country. They are after amassing wealth for themselves. Their involvement in various scams and scandals is ample proof of their unlimited greed.

There is a large number of ministers and bureaucrats at the Centre and in the states, they are doing little for the economy. Their number must be reduced drastically.

I suggest the following few corrective measures:

1. The era of coalition governments at the Centre and in the states has come to stay. To please all, the maximum number of ministerial posts are created. The Constitution of India should be amended so that the single largest party can rule for a full term of five years, and the condition of majority may be abolished. This poor country can’t afford mid-term polls every now and then. The privileges of MPs and MLAs should be curtailed to the maximum.

2. The posts of bureaucrats should be minimised as they cost the exchequer too much. Many of them are corrupt and indulge in the embezzlement of public funds at the first available opportunity.

3. Corruption is the most vital issue. This malaise has taken the shape of cancer and stands legalised. The mere hue and cry by our leaders over this issue won’t do. This malady originates at the top to reach the bottom. Political masters and bureaucrats will have to mend their ways and keep corruption at bay. Only then can they come down heavily on their juniors.

4. It has become the practice of the government to introduce taxes of various types. This amounts to breaking the backbone of the common man. No tax increase in the case of any item should be there except once in the Budget session.

5. The retirement age and some academic qualification must be fixed for MLAs, MPs and other public servants.

6. Too many holidays in government offices may be curtailed.

D.P. JINDAL
Mandi Gobindgarh

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Making India Y2K compatible

As the year 2000 draws closer, the Y2K problem is leaving many a department in cold. Large-sized advertisements are being inserted in various periodicals and newspapers by the Department of Electronics with an appeal from the Prime Minister or other dignitaries to make India Y2K compatible. Lakhs of rupees are being spent on these advertisements. This is not the way.

While many of the big business houses, having enormous financial resources at their disposal, have already declared themselves as Y2K compatible, the real threat to our country is from small and medium companies who are unable to spend on the Y2K problem. Many large-sized companies are dependent on these small companies for the supply of various materials and components to them. On December 31 as the Y2K problem hits the non-compatible small and medium-sized companies at 12 midnight, big business houses may also be affected. Industry may come to a screeching halt. It will be better if the government provides financial assistance to these small and medium companies instead of spending so much on advertisements.

JAGVIR GOYAL
Bathinda

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Unsafe drinking water

This is with reference to the editorial “Unsafe to drink”( The Tribune, November 23.) The majority of the rural and semi-urban population in India is the worst sufferer of water-borne diseases. In cities and towns, sources of water are regularly treated with germicides. Being literate, urbanites are enlightened about the danger of water-borne diseases. In villages and small towns people are least aware of the threat posed by them.

Besides this, far-flung areas of the states like Himachal Pradesh are deficient in adequate health facilities. In these areas, the complacent attitude of the authorities also contributes to the spread of water-borne diseases.

The Tribune has been forthright to add: “There is no remedy except summary trial and adequate punishment for those who run the decrepit water-supply systems in state capitals or small-town municipalities.”

Prevention is better than cure. Water-borne diseases can be prevented if clean and germ-free water is supplied to the people. This can be done if water is treated with germicides at regular intervals of time. It must be the prime concern of the Health Department authorities to manage public hydrants and ensure safe drinking water in semi-urban and rural areas.

In this way, people can be saved from distress and pain caused by water-borne diseases, and the high cost of their treatment.

IQBAL SINGH
Bijhari (Hamirpur)