FIRs during lockdown

Apropos of ‘Due process ignored in FIRs for flouting lockdown’ (April 24), the observations need review. Section 188 of the IPC is a cognisable offence as per Schedule 1 of the CrPC. The police are duty bound to register an FIR and investigate a cognisable offence as per Sections 154 and 156 of the CrPC. Taking cognisance of an offence by the police and by the court are two different concepts. Section 195 of the CrPC imposes a bar on the magistrate for taking cognisance of an offence under Section 188 on a police report. It does not prescribe a bar on the police taking cognisance of a cognisable case. The complaint signed by the public authority is submitted to the magistrate for taking cognisance, and not the police report as required under Section 173 (2), CrPC. The Haryana government has already empowered all SHOs to file a complaint to the magistrate under the provision of Section 60, Disaster Management Act, 2005, as well.

KP Singh, Panchkula

Meter readings a must

Due to the ensuing pandemic and subsequent lockdown, the power corporation has suspended the activity of meter readings for domestic and commercial consumers. The bill for the lockdown period will be generated on an average basis for consumption during the same months last year. The decision of the PSPCL has been objected to by the consumers. Power consumption during the lockdown will obviously be lower. Moreover, commercial organisations are closed and their power consumption is almost nil. The PSPCL should, therefore, withdraw this order.

Balbir Singh Kakkar, Jalandhar

FB-Jio tie-up

Refer to ‘Facebook buys 10% stake in Jio’ and subsequent editorial ‘Digital synergy’ (April 23); the announcement by Facebook to buy a 9.99% stake in Jio, the telecom platform of Reliance, will establish huge dimensions of friendship among e-commerce giants of social media to transact business in a competitive environment globally. Both will offer online retail outlets. Jio, which holds the record for creating and retaining customers in the telecom sector, will provide high-tech modern services as well as pave the way for buying and selling products online through WhatsApp chat. But the two should ensure that users’ data is not encrypted by cyber criminals. In the grocery store business, they must secure a foolproof cyber platform.

Yugal Kishore Sharma, faridabad

Digital learning

The Haryana government is trying to help government school students through Edusat, which has been found deficient in service before. It would be better to first assess the infrastructure of government schools. Some agencies, especially the corporate bodies, may come to assist under CSR. Teachers should also be equipped with techniques of well-planned presentations followed by discussion groups. It will amount to rendering great service to the cause of education in Haryana if under the Vision Document 2030, digital learning is used in government schools, not only for learning outcomes but for other activities too.

S Kumar, Panchkula

Review Covid measures

Amid this pandemic that has brought the whole world to a standstill, the Punjab government needs to review some of the steps it has taken. It only seems to be evaluating the losses and demanding immediate relief packages from the MHA only because of its negligence and faults due to lavish spendings earlier on nugatory things. The police are being attacked, farmers are facing losses, children in rural areas are facing hurdles in academic pursuit and the labourers are struggling. Besides, there will be deductions from the salaries of government employees and pensions, all major challenges. The state should follow the Kerala model to combat Covid.

Mehul Monga, Amritsar

Reviving economy

Apropos of the article ‘Rebuilding economy’ (April 24), there is no denying that the pandemic has dealt a shattering blow to our economy. Our GDP growth is being projected at an abysmally low rate of 1.9%. The only redeeming feature is the revival of farming operations. A bumper rabi and kharif crop can mitigate the economic woes to some extent. Equal weightage should be given to the containment of virus and preserving economy. Achieving one at the cost of the other will be a pyrrhic victory.

Munish Goel, by mail

President’s rule?

Immediate action is required to meet the special financial and administrative situations. President’s rule should be imposed in all states and UTs, all political appointments, commissions and tribunals should be disbanded, Central ministers except for those manning the essential ministries should be removed, and news channels barred, barring Doordarshan. We will save millions.

Capt K Ghuman (retd), Mohali

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