Tasks before the nation

COMMENTING upon Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s address to the nation you have (Editorial: “Tasks before the nation”, October 18) aptly focused attention of the new government on basic issues of public interest aimed at “mitigating the miseries of the masses”, which have so far received scant attention. It may be borne in mind that the result of the mid-term election this time is a mandate more in favour of Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee than his party or coalition.

If the past performance of the BJP-led government is any guide, there are genuine apprehensions about the present government’s capability to tackle the “identified” problems. For example, the previous Vajpayee government cannot claim to have tackled the serious doubts on the present government’s capability to maintain an open economy and continue India’s halting integration with the world economy.

Undoubtedly the economy needs a kickstart and the wealth producers are right when they seek infrastructure growth and profits. During his previous tenure Mr Vajpayee had promised “growth, more growth and still more growth”. But to my mind “growth” means more employment and poverty-alleviation and not the reverse. Real wages are the most significant measure of poverty. Economic policies must address multiple ground realities and kick-starting the poor, therefore, is equally imperative.

The process of economic growth must operate as a system of empowerment of the people rather than one of further enriching the rich. No economy can maintain the momentum of a high growth rate unless the benefits of increased output benefit an increasing number of people, including the poor.

Poverty estimates too need a different approach. Poverty must be measured by what I dare to coin the kitchen prices index (KPI) and not the wholesale price index (WPI) since 80 per cent of the consumption basket of the poor comprise food items in terms of expenditure. A sudden rise in the prices of food ravages the marginal worker and families, putting 50 per cent of our people in the endless poverty and malnutrition cycle.

Needless to say, the poor are both consumers and voters. That is their relevance. In these changed times those who do not serve the poor get kicked out by them at the hustings. The ruling BJP-led alliance is well advised to make basic needs agenda their guiding star.

K.M. VASHISHT
Mansa

Living with Pak coup

This refers to Mr Hari Jaisingh’s article, “Living with coup in Pakistan: wages of poor house-keeping”, October 15. The world needs an international group of convinced and consistent anti-militarists who understand clearly that force is always an evil, even when it be a necessary evil under exceptional circumstances, as the surgeon’s lancet is employed for an operation. But all of us are not called upon to be political surgeons.

The history of Pakistan shows that there is a desperate need of social hygienists who have specialised in peace and its conditions: its causes, its requisites, its results and its glories. When you once appeal to force, you cannot precisely determine and define, restrain and restrict its devastating power, as an incendiary cannot command the fire to burn exactly so many houses and no more.

The militarist and the pacifist really represent different types of character and follow absolutely different methods, even if their goals are the same.

Democracy has been exposed to grave peril by the remnants of despotism in Pakistan. The sword must be sheathed immediately if this surgical operation is not to end in a catastrophe. After the cutting and bleeding, the medical butcher retires, and the sweet and gentle nurses appear on the scene. This military act must show that democracy has only stepped back a little in order to take a longer and higher jump soon. As Tennyson rightly says:

Certain if knowledge brings the sword,

That knowledge must take the sword away.

VIVEK SINH MAR GIRAN
Kurukshetra

PAKISTANI ETHOS: The latest developments in Pakistan indicate that it has not only overlooked the geopolitical realities of the subcontinent but has also failed to appreciate the need for peace, development and political stability. While religious fanatics have been working for the Talibanisation of not only Pakistan but also of other Asian countries, the political rulers, in their cynical display of power for petty gains, have only disregarded the country’s vital interests. Hence the present turmoil.

Before building up hopes of a healthy democratic set-up in Pakistan political observers must understand the socio-cultural, historical and political ethos of a country where the military and civilian authorities have rarely enjoyed mutually cordial relations. The autocratic style of Mr Sharif’s functioning and his direct interference in military affairs is only a coincident as since Ms Benazir Bhutto’s time military leaders have been yearning for political power.

What finally Gen Parvez Musharraf decides regarding the fate of a civilian rule may not be of much interest to the West or to the USA. But it is certain that the key player of the Kargil misadventure will play in the hands of Osama bin Laden as far as India and the question of Kashmir are concerned.

VED GULIANI
Hisar

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Bank accounts

In case a savings bank accounts remains unused for about three years, it is treated as non-operative by the bank under the rules. This is, however, not known to the depositor since the bank passbook does not carry any such instructions. In case it is required to be operated, the depositor is made to record the reasons in writing for keeping the account non-operative as if it is an offence. This does not appear to be conducive to the spirit of the opening of a bank account.

On the one hand, India is interested in tapping rural/urban savings by opening more and more bank branches, on the other, such rules, if any, dampen the spirit of bank account holders. It is not surprising if a poor man’s bank account becomes non-operational very frequently.

It is the depositor’s hard-earned money to which the bank does not make any contribution; rather it earns interest on it. The time may not be far off when the balance amount would be forfeited by the bank, or the Central government would enact a law similar to Section 205-A of the Companies Act, 1956, where the balance amount in a non-operative account would be transferred to some specified fund after the account remains unused for some time.

It would be in the interest of the depositor and the country if such provisions are scrapped and the depositor is allowed free access to the account without any uncalled for hindrance.

In any case, the bank must inform the depositor by registered post of its intention to treat the account as non-operational for its accounting convenience.

BABU RAM DHIMAN
Pinjore

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The dangerous Mall

The Mall at Shimla even now is an excellent place for walk for one and all. People derive a lot of pleasure out of loitering over this nearly 2-km stretch of the VIP road/walk. It is a great attraction for tourists.

The surface of the tarmac of the walk is fairly levelled up and serviceable for average young users. Slightly more aged people, despite their being not very sturdy, enjoy their stroll here. It helps them in keeping fit. The existing smoothness of the tarmac is okay for both categories of the users.

However, some very elderly residents too have to use the walk under medical advice, as an essential exercise. Some of them have less vision, some are hard of hearing, some walk with the help of a walking stick. There are yet others, the elders who take the stroll with the help of crutches again as per their doctor’s counsel. This category of users tend to stumble over even the smallest pot-hole. They accordingly expect the tarmac to be extra-smooth. Unfortunately, the walk has a lot of holes for water meters. Many of these don’t have covers. Some are either raised too high or are too deep with respect to the normal level of the tarmac.

The other day this writer witnessed a senior citizen of the town, a retired High Court judge, inadvertently putting his foot in such an uncovered water meter hole. He tumbled down but had a very narrow escape.

It is, therefore, suggested that the Municipal Corporation should pay special attention to make the surface of the water meter holes on The Mall marry and match with the tarmac.

K.L. NOATAY
Shimla