M A I L B A G

Politics has no role to play in universities

Unabashed political patronage by none by other than the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has made the task of cleansing the portals of learning of anti-social elements very difficult (H.K.Dua’s front-page editorial, “Carry on Professor: The nation will be with you”, Jan 1). Prof Singh’s efforts will bear fruit if he is not shunted out by the powers that be. It is the duty of all right-thinking citizens to put pressure on the state government to extend all possible help to Prof Singh in his mission.

The images of the so-called student leaders of Lucknow University as shown by the electronic media expose their true identity. By their facial appearance and body language, they exude the traits of hardcore criminals and not students.

If heads of all educational institutions and universities decide to bar political parties and their goons from using educational centres for political and other activities by emulating the example set by Prof Singh, the education system will work wonders — and the nation will get the right kind of leadership.

LAJ PAT RAI GARG, Hisar

II

The editorial is bold and courageous. Political interference in the functioning of Lucknow University is deplorable. The Vice-Chancellor’s determination to clean the campus of the hooligans is praiseworthy. The Allahabad High Court has lauded his decision to get the hostels vacated by the students.

The Mulayam Singh Yadav government should provide security to the Vice-Chancellor. It is legally and morally bound to help him bring a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere for conducting the students’ union elections as per the guidelines of the Lyngdoh Committee set up by the Supreme Court.

RIKHI DASS THAKUR, Palbhu (Hamirpur)

III

I am afraid, the brave Vice-Chancellor would be left alone sooner than later despite the Allahabad High Court’s support. For, the Assembly elections in UP are round the corner and politicians of all hues in the state would be enticing and instigating students with a view to furthering their own interests.

The politicians would use students and their leaders, to pull their own political chestnuts out of the fire. The Centre may not impose President’s rule because of its adverse fallout in the ensuing elections in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and UP.

Political interference in the administration is a major factor for the continued brain drain. The plight of AIIMS director at the hands of the Union Health Minister is fresh in our minds. The closure of the university is no remedy.

If the Chief Minister fails to stand by the Vice-Chancellor, let President’s rule be imposed on the state. Guidelines for students’ union elections as suggested by the Lyngdoh Committee under the Supreme Court’s directive must be implemented in toto in the whole country.

Let the rule of law prevail even to the detriment of please-all politicians.

LALIT BHARDWAJ, Panchkula

IV

Vice-Chancellors of 324 universities will endorse Mr Dua’s suggestion that we should not compromise our moral values and maintain strict discipline on the campus. It is shocking to note that students use hostels as sanctuaries, muscleman parading as student and union leaders, their cronies roam around in the campus/city in groups, many of them carrying guns, licensed or otherwise and even given armed guards by the Chief Minister.

Serious action should be taken against such student leaders. Political interference in the functioning of universities should stop forthwith, as voiced by Mr Dua.

JAI GOPAL KUSLA, Ludhiana

 

Plug loopholes in PNDT Act  The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prevention) Act, popularly known as the PNDT Act, has completed first five years of its functioning. At least, two aspects of his Act need immediate rectification. One, it is the inability of the authorities to check certain registered medical practitioners who provide legal cover to those who are otherwise ineligible to use ultrasound machines. This is, of course, done for a consideration. Such unscrupulous doctors also provide blank-signed reports that can be used in their absence. This goes on with the full knowledge of the authorities concerned. The other aspect is the absence in the PNDT Act of a procedure to deal with the public complaints alleging contravention of the Act. In the absence of such a provision, complaints are tackled in a lackadaisical manner. The Deputy Commissioners should have observers’ status in the meetings of the District Advisory Committee and helplines should be started in every district. Dr MANOJ LAMBA,Radiologist, Kurukshetra

Interim relief

The Punjab government’s letter granting interim relief to its employees and pensioners mentions that the “interim relief will be treated as pay for all intents and purposes”.

The government should clarify whether the old age allowance to pensioners at 5 per cent or 10 per cent is to be calculated on basic pension + dearness pension + interim relief or only on basic pension + dearness pension as heretofore.

SANSAR CHAND SHARMA, Amritsar

Power tariff

In Haryana, 70 per cent of the population lives in villages and 30 per cent in cities. The whole burden now falls on city consumers. The government has not given any relief in power tariff for senior citizens, whereas the banks, the railways and the income tax department have given some relief to them.

The Chief Minister’s statement that the state government has no role to play in the power tariff hike is unwarranted. It should look into the matter for due relief.

Dr UTTAM SINGH, Narwana