M A I L B A G

Jail for life a strong deterrent

WHEN poor governance and political degeneration are out to destroy the fabric of our society, the judiciary has given bold and fair verdicts of convicting over 60 criminals to life imprisonment. This will, certainly, act as a strong deterrent, and send a clear signal that nobody is above the law.

By convicting 10 policemen for New Delhi’s Connaught Place shoot-out, the judiciary has conveyed the message that a force meant to prevent crime, enforce law and order and protect the citizens’ lives cannot kill innocent citizens and get away with it.

Similarly, life imprisonment for an overjealous lover, who had ruined the life of an innocent girl by throwing acid on her is just. The youth must understand that love cannot be forced on anyone by resorting to such ugly practices.

The judicial approach to economic offences, however, is inadequate. Why can justice not be expedited in cases of dishonoring of cheques where the evidence is generally documentary? In such cases, the complainant files a suit for recovery of his money and not to see the accused behind bars.

In cases of disproportionate wealth, where it is proved beyond doubt that the wealth is accumulated through unfair means, why can the property so collected not be attached by the courts and put to public auction? Once the corrupt knows that one cannot retain the ill-gotten wealth, no one will dare indulge in corrupt practices.

Lt-Col J.S. MAND (retd), President, Indian Ex-services League, Chandigarh

Irrational stand

I read the editorial, “Left-UPA hiatus” (Oct 24). The UPA government at the Centre, led by a self-confessed reluctant politician, is suffering from a state  of paresis, if not paralysis, courtesy the obstinate and irrational stance of the Left. The Prime Minister very rightly said that “fractured mandate” makes  life difficult for the coalition dispensation.

The Left is being myopic in opposing a deal that would help India usher in an era of accelerated development and progress. The Centre’s failure to operationalise the deal would dent India’s standing and credibility in the comity of nations, apart from depriving millions of Indians from the benefits of rapid industrialisation.

Dr M.K. BAJAJ, Zirakpur

No DA hike yet

The Government of India has granted 6 per cent additional DA to its employees and pensioners from July 1, 2007. Surprisingly, though all the states are supposed to follow it, the Punjab government is still silent.

It may be mentioned that Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are always first to implement the Centre’s decision in this regard. As Diwali is fast approaching, the Punjab government should announce DA hike immediately.

AJIT SINGH GILL, Mohali

II

Though Punjab is a progressive state, it has been lagging behind in sanctioning the DA instalment for its employees and pensioners. The Centre has sanctioned DA hike of 6 per cent from July 1, 2007, but Punjab is yet to follow suit. Why is the Punjab government delaying the announcement?

The state government should review its practice of announcing the DA hike very late. It should immediately issue the circular as Diwali is round the corner.

K. KAUSHAL, Lehra Gaga

Waiting for arrears

The Punjab government employees are demanding the DA installment of July, 2007. But the Pensioners of Punjabi University, Patiala, are still awaiting the release of DA of January, 2007 and the arrears of DA of July, 2006. The authorities should expedite action in this regard.

RAGHBIR SINGH, Patiala

Directorates left out

The Haryana government has recently revised the pay scales of secretariat assistants from Rs 5450 to Rs 5500. But the government has not revived the scales of assistants at the directorate level.

The qualification for assistants is the same at the secretariat and directorate level. The Chief Minister and the Finance Minister should extend the benefit to the directorate employees also.

ANIL MITTAL, Chandigarh