Raise pay

The editorial “Faculty crunch at IIT” (December 6) rightly emphasises the importance of the quality and quantity of the IITs and IIMs. The best of infrastructure is wasted if well-qualified and competent faculty are not there. Regrettably, the shortage of competent faculty is resulting in the dilution of quality of IITs and IIMs. To attract the best teachers it is essential that their salaries and perks be comparable with corporate houses.  

Dr VK Anand, Patiala

Staff shortage

It is a matter of concern that there is a paucity of teaching staff in IITs, IIMs and central universities. India has been boasting about its standard of higher education system, purely on the basis of these IITs and IIMs. The shortage of teaching staff defeats the purpose of providing quality technical education, limits the choice of subjects and impedes research (the field in which India excelled in the ancient times, when more than 10,000 students from across the world used to study more than 60 subjects in Taxilla university, 2600 years ago), the area in which India's track-record has been dismal in the last one and a half millennia.

An improved standard of higher education would attract huge investments in the form of 'education tourism'. It would fetch double benefits. First, Indian students, who go abroad to study, would prefer to study in their own motherland and second, the influx of foreign students will bring in foreign exchange.

ARVIND DHUMAL, Jalandhar  

Temporary teachers

Not just the IITs, NITs, and IIITs, but the entire education system, including medical institutions, universities, colleges and schools, is suffering a decrease in quality. The generally accepted teacher-taught ratio of 1:25 has not been implemented, not to speak of moving towards having a ratio 1:5 of Stanford and 1:7 of Harvard. The system of recruiting temporary teachers, on consolidated salary, contract and guest faculty, is widespread; thereby exploiting teachers, closing academic advancement and darkening future. Why has the system of permanent recruitment been discarded? Lessons must be learnt and honestly implemented.

Prof BS Brar, Bathinda 

Teaching unattractive

There is a shortage of faculty in our IITs and IIMs. Unfortunately, very few passouts from these premier institutions pursue research or take the job of faculty. The perks, terms and conditions are not enough to attract the best of faculty to these institutions. We need to create remunerative conditions, otherwise the IITs and IIMs will also lose their shine.

Anil Kumar Jaswal, GAGRET (Una)

Bias in pension

A few hundred Punjab Government employees who retired between 1-8-2003 and 31-10-2006 have suffered heavy monetary losses due to a reduction in the commuted value of their pension rate from 10.46% to 6.21%. Following protests by the affected staff, the government restored the 10.46% formula for its employees and pensioners wef 31-10-2006/1-11-2006 but not with retrospective effect i.e. 31-7/1-8-2003. So, people who retired on 31-10-2006 and thereafter are enjoying commutation at the old pension formula, but sadly, the pensioners who retired between 1-8-2003 and 30-10-2006 have been deprived of the same. The government has cheated them and created a discriminatory anomaly. These pensioners got relief on a petition from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, but the Punjab Government went for an SLP. The Supreme Court passed an order asking the petitioners to seek a review of the case from the high court in Chandigarh. The case is slated for hearing on December 12. 

SD Sharma, via email

Forfeiture of pension

When an army officer is dismissed from service or awarded a jail term for an offence, it is followed by automatic forfeiture of his pension. This amounts to double punishment: one for the individual for his offence, and the other for the family which is deprived of pension.

There is a need for a relook at the provision on humanitarian grounds. The rules may be amended so that the family is not denied the benefit of pension which is often its only source of livelihood.

LT-COL RL ARORA (RETD), Jalandhar

DA arrears

The Central Government has granted enhanced 7.5% DA to its employees and pensioners from 1.7.2014. The Haryana Government too has granted 7.5% DA. But the Punjab Government is yet to clear the arrears of enhanced DA granted from 1.1.2014 to 30.9.2014. It must release the arrears soon and further grant 7.5% DA from 1.7.2014.

Kanwar Sain Atrey, Ludhiana

Fishery in SYL

The Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal in Punjab is not being used for any purpose. Parts of this cement concrete lined canal can be better utilised as fish ponds. It will be more beneficial than fish farming in waterlogged areas. The canal area can be allotted to individuals or societies on rent for fish farming.

Raj Kumar Aggarwal, Kotkapura

Water sharing

With reference to “Punjab's water sharing Act illegal: Dushyant” (November 12), the construction of SYL canal should not be resumed prior to the fixation of the  quantum of water supply to Haryana as its share out of the surplus Ravi-Beas waters.   

GR Kalra, Panchkula

Not objective

“When the victim is treated as accused”, the Oped article by Rajesh Gill (November 4), has no substance. It is based on hearsay and the author's own lopsided experience which only enhances the propagation of stereotypes and gossipy statements such as "a woman is woman's worst enemy" and "all men have bad intentions". We would like to know how she herself has countered some unfair decisions of certain anti-sexual harassment committees, of which she is a member. We expect objective writings illuminating the issues by sharp logic, pointed facts and intelligent arguments. This article has none of these qualities and, therefore, disappoints.

NK Oberoi, Panchkula