Demonetisation benefits
Demonetisation has various medium and long-term benefits which will outweigh the costs incurred on printing notes (‘Partly good, partly bad’ by Mythili Bhusnurmath, September 2). It helped contain fake currency business; loan rates have reduced due to excess liquidity with banks; income tax filing has increased significantly, resulting in more revenue to the government, which can be spent on welfare schemes and infrastructure development; dead cash which was locked away and delivered no economic value is now in circulation. To gain something, some sacrifice is required. The result is now awaited, which looks positive.
Nitin Garg, Shimla
Losing credibility
Apropos the editorial ‘Self-damage’ (September 2), the government played with public money and the sentiments of people, pushing the nation in turmoil. Using such gimmicks to win elections will make Modi lose credibility, even among his admirers. Here’s hoping he will not use such means again.
Raj Tandon, Amritsar
Cash or card?
Reference to the editorial ‘The cover-up’ (September 1), it is reported that digital transactions have fallen by 20 per cent. I would like to share my experience. I got fuel in my car using an SBI card. The next day, Rs 35 was deducted as surcharge/cess. The bank said this was for using the card. Why then will people go for cashless transactions?
Pritpal Singh, Sangrur
Quota politics
First, the Jats in Haryana, and then the Marathas displayed their strength, forcing the governments to give them reservations (‘HC keeps Haryana’s Jat quota Act on hold’, September 1). Though the nature of protests was different, the goal was the same — to be declared a backward community to avail of reservation. Even in this modern age, certain communities want to be declared backward. There is no reason to believe that in future too other communities will make similar demands. Reservation is no one’s right. It’s appeasement by the government to please a certain section for votes. This kind of politics must have no place in a progressive India.
SURYA PRATAP, DHARAMSALA
Unfair assessment
A person belonging to a tribal community whose family migrated years ago to cities continues to reap the benefits of reservation. Policy makers will change nothing because of vote-bank politics. How can a person living in a Rs 70 lakh house be put in the same bracket as a person living in a place with even no electricity in the India of the 21st century?
PRATAP SINGH, by mail
University rules
Refer to the news report ‘Implement Justice Roopanwal panel report, VCs told’ (August 31); several VCs have failed to enforce university rules in non-government recognised colleges, pertaining to the constitution of the governing body, method of recruitment, service conditions and conduct of teachers. The high court has held that affiliated and aided colleges are duty bound to follow university rules, to be enforced by the university. Even officials of the Haryana higher education department are blind to the violation of statutory rules by colleges.
Anil Bhatiya, Hisar
Amend police Act
Panchkula is a police commissionerate and the entire responsibility of law and order vests with the Police Commissioner/DCP. To hold the DC responsible for the dera fiasco would not hold ground as Section 8 of the Haryana Police Act, 2008, clearly mentions that the District Magistrate shall not exercise powers usually exercised by him in a police commissionerate. Accordingly, the order passed under Section 144 was sanctioned by the DCP, not the DC. The DC is crippled to maintain the original mandate provided in the CrPC due to the ‘defective’ provision of the Act. It is thus important to align the HPA with the Punjab Police Rule, 1934, the Police Act, 1861, the CrPC and the Constitution.
Naman Jain, Chandigarh
Old-age tips
Apropos ‘Hope gone, how to feel young?’ by Satjit Singh (September 1), I wish to offer three nuggets: I am 88 and try to stay healthy, so my children don’t have to worry about me; I try to be spiritual though I am not religious; I try to be nice to myself, others, and don’t judge.
Malwinder Jit Waraich, Panchkula
Heartbreaking, indeed
The article ‘Hope gone, how to feel young?’touched my soul. The line ‘our well-settled children are too busy to find time even to visit us’ is unsettling. Being 23 years old, I know the attitude of my generation. We can handle an MNC, but fail to take care of our parents. We can never be successful if our parents are unhappy. Make them your first priority; their health and happiness is the real earning.
Nancy Kapila, Chandigarh
Soldier true ‘nationalist’
While the nation is debating the contours of nationalism, I want to write about the person who I believe is the best example of someone who works unconditionally for the good of the nation — the soldier. He deserves more than a pat on the back. He deserves love, respect, honour. I watch my friends suffer the loss of their beloved soldiers and have visited cremation grounds to pray for all those who sacrificed everything for their country. They are, and should be, our superheroes.
Rohanika Thakur, Jalandhar
CM claim ridiculous
The Haryana CM has claimed that he was ‘satisfied’ with what the government did in handling the dera situation at Panchkula, no matter what the media and the Opposition say. Forty people were killed in police action. How can he be ‘satisfied’?
Rajesh Kumar Chitoria, Charkhi Dadri
Respect teachers
Teachers and scientists are the only VIPs in the US; in France, only teachers are allowed to sit in courts; in European countries and in America, primary teachers are highly paid because they nurture young minds. I was hurt when I saw an ad on TV, where a student asks a teacher, ‘Kya aapne raat ko palak ki sabzi khai thi? Apke daanton mein palak phansi hai, isliye aapko Colgate ka zigzag toothbrush karna chahiye’. While making this ad, the agency forgot that teachers don’t come to school like this, rather they teach students how to maintain personal and dental hygiene. I am a teacher in a school, where specialists are invited for talks and health checkup of students. I request that such insulting advertisements should not be promoted.
VANDANA SHARMA, Chandigarh
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