All-powerful L-G

Apropos of ‘Who are we kidding here?’ (‘Reflections’; The Sunday Tribune), being the national capital, the government of Delhi has to be different from the governments of other states. But if that government must be democratic, it needs to put the people at the centre of governance, as democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people. The powers and functions of the Delhi Government were settled by the exercise of the constituent power of Parliament. In 2018, the SC had declared that the ‘meaning’ of ‘aid and advise’ employed in Article 239AA(4) had to be construed to mean that the LG of NCT was bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers. The recent Bill has amended that law by stipulating that ‘government’ shall mean the Lt Governor. CM Kejriwal and his ministers have been reduced to footmen. It is evident that the goal of BJP is to establish one-party rule, with a compliant judiciary, an officially sponsored media and subservient people.

EL SINGH, by mail

Mines and minerals Bill

Refer to the MMDR Amendment Bill; the government endeavour is to bring in lucidity in auctioning, amplify employment and attract foreign investment by removing the distinction of captive and non-captive mines, transferring statutory permission, remove non-exclusive licence regimes and promote more private participation to enhance mining contribution to the GDP to 2.75%. However, it will harm the environment, upset tribals and lead to the overexploitation of resources.

PREET MAMMAN, AMRITSAR

Indo-Pak CBMs

CBMs with Pakistan without resolving the Kashmir issue are least possible (‘Redesign Indo-Pak CBM to inject vitality’). Issues pertaining to India, Afghanistan and nuclear power come under the control of the Pakistan military. Any peace initiative taken by the political administration is responded by the military-mullah nexus with terrorism. To draw domestic attention away from internal problems, Pakistan always plays the Kashmir card. But this time, one thing is different – the military and political administration is on the same page and the UAE is involved in the peace process. We can hope for better ties.

Pawan Kumar Rakheja, Gurugram

Bangladesh violence

Members of a hardline Islamist group attacked Hindu temples and a train in eastern Bangladesh. Fake news circulation about CAA or other related laws results in clashes. This is not the first time that it has happened. We can’t expect good relations with other countries if the sentiments of the minority community are not protected. Such incidents affect people-to-people ties. Attacks on minority communities living in one country affect the majority sentiments of others and vice versa.

Rohit Kumar Gupta, Shimla

AICTE idea not sound

Reference to the AICTE idea to make physics, chemistry and maths optional in Class XII for admission to engineering colleges; as it is, the products of present-day engineering colleges are of poor quality. Most engineering passouts are unemployable. Opening the doors to non-science students will make things worse. It will turn technocrats into generalists. They will have poor career prospects in technical field and will have to look for non-technical options or accept low-grade jobs. The AICTE should have a relook at its new policy.

WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), JALANDHAR

Controlling DAV colleges

‘Info delayed, official penalised Rs 25,000’ is a reflection on the malfunctioning of the Haryana Higher Education directorate and maladministration of recalcitrant DAV colleges. As per rules, transfer is neither the mode of appointment nor an incidence of service in private-aided colleges. The statutory governing body of each DAV College is the appointing and punishing authority of its staff, and the non-statutory management of DAV colleges in New Delhi has no jurisdiction and authority in law. In several cases, the apex court has held that no employee can be transferred to another employer without his consent. Transfer is a tripartite agreement. DAV teachers cannot suffer due to the illegal and uncalled for interference of the autocratic DAV management running the institutions through remote control.

SK Gupta, Bathinda

Good win, introspect too

Congratulations to the Indian team and abundant praise for ODI series win against England, especially the third match, which was a hair-raising thriller till the last ball. The England team also deserves praise for putting up a brilliant fight, particularly Sam Curran, who played like Dhoni. The Indian team also needs to introspect on their drawbacks, especially fielding lapses, as four catches were dropped in the match. It all ended well though, as they won the Test, ODI and T20 series against England.

SS Bhathal, Ludhiana

Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribunemail.com