The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Wednesday, December 26, 2001, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

M A I L B A G

Drug residues in milk hazardous

This refers to the report “Unprocessed milk a health hazard”. Apart from bacterial count of raw milk, drug residues in milk are a health hazard for the consumers. In animals drugs are used in the treatment of various diseases. These drugs are being used indiscriminately and as such residues of these drugs are found in milk, meat and eggs. The consumption of these products containing residues of drugs is detrimental to the consumers. Toxic effects include allergy and deformity of body organs, defective growth and some times malignancy etc. Intensive use of the antibiotics is done in animals as feed additives to improve overall efficiency especially milk production in milch animals.

The most commonly used antibiotics in veterinary practice are Penicillin, Ampicillin and Tetracycline. Milk containing even 0.005 I.U./ml of penicillin is said to be unfit for human consumption. The antibiotics are being used indiscriminately with utter disregard to milk becoming unfit for human consumption. Tons of pencillin and gallons of tetracycline are used daily in the treatment of animals.

Milk containing residues of antibiotics, steroids and dewormers is fit for human consumption after ‘milk discarding time’ which is specified for each drug. ‘Milk discarding’ or ‘milk withholding’ time for milk prior to human consumption varies from two to four days. There should be strict adherence to prescribed ‘discarding time’ for such milk prior to human consumption. Veterinary and dairy owners (especially doing self-medication) should use antibiotic carefully especially the intramammary infusions. Hence the clean milk drive launched by Milkfed must include public and dairy farmers’ awareness of the health hazard of drug residues in milk.

Dr SOSHIL RATTAN, Amritsar

Sustain democracy

Apropos of the editorial “Behenji’s Samaj Party” (December 20), you have struck the right chord by raising the issue of bossism in political parties. It is true that it is not only the national parties like the Congress, BJP and two Communist parties which are inflicted with this malady but the regional parties from north to south like Akali Dal, Indian National Lok Dal, Samajwadi Party, RJD, DMK and AIADMK etc are equally effected.

Then to dream of democracy in the country, where there is no democracy within the political parties and members elected through these parties are not free, seems to be hallucination or distant dream.

I strongly favour your view that to sustain democracy in the country the supreme leader should be made accountable. I have been advocating this concept in my previous writings in The Tribune. But the question which I could not answer has been left unanswered even by you also. Who will bell the cat? The debatable question is whether leaders themselves should make them accountable by bringing suitable changes which is very unlikely rather will never happen or the public should force them to become accountable. The first way is easy, feasible and straight forward and the other is fraught with dangers because the people can force the leaders only by revolution. Accountability of leaders is need of the hour but I wish that the method with less dangers be followed.

Dr TIRATH GARG, Ferozepur City

Sterling judgement

The Supreme Court gave a landmark judgement upholding the sale of public sector aluminium giant, Balco to Sterlite. Moreover, the court has chastised the Chhattisgarh Government for raising the Balco issue on frivolous grounds.

No doubt, the Centre’s disinvestment policy will help in the economic growth. But it is ironical that the Government has achieved only a target of Rs 426 crore as against Rs 12,000 crore.

If our government wants the country to progress, let’s hope we see more action on the disinvestment front and soon.

SHIV KUMAR, Bathinda

Nursing officers

The MNS officers are like all officers in the armed forces. They too get the President's Commission in a similar manner. The advertisement for entry into the MNS clearly states that they would be commissioned officers after completion of training The wearing of the OG uniform has nothing to do with this. The change from the western white frock to OG frock to OG uniform (shirt and trouser) is welcome.

MAJOR RAVINDER KUMAR (retd), Panchkula

Government audit

The article “Institution of govt audit-enforcing accountability can curb corruption" (Dec. 4) by Mr Dharam Vir has highlighted some of the important points which needs our serious attention. To institute follow-up action on audit reports, independent multi-member accountability tribunals, if established, would help the enforcement of accountability and reduce the tendency towards corruption.

JAGTAR SINGH, Mohali

Judicial Service Day

We observe "Legal Service Day" on Nov. 9 every year to create awareness about free legal services available for deserving persons. I feel we should also observe a "Judicial Service Day" to impress upon the judges and all concerned the need for the expeditious disposal of court cases.

Nowadays it has become a general trend that the next date of hearing in a case is fixed after six to seven months. Thus generally only two hearings of a case are held during a year. Often on one hearing during the year work would remain suspended by the Bar or the judge would be on leave or either of the counsel would be not present or would seek adjournment.

G. D. GUPTA, Jagadhari

Pension scheme

The Punjab Cabinet has accepted the demand for pension and gratuity to non-government aided college employees, but has changed the date of implementation from April 1, 1992, to April 26, 1999. This is against the accepted legal norms and morality. The government must honour its repeated commitments and implement the pension/gratuity scheme from April 1, 1992.

B. S. PANNU, Samrala