Government lapse

Refer to ‘SC refuses to stay eviction of encroachers from forest land’; the Supreme Court has said they were given much time, since February 2020, but where was the government when these people were encroaching on the forest land? If the government had stopped the encroachment when it began, it would not have been a big issue today. It is the government’s responsibility now to provide these people with homes, and next time stop such encroachments in time.

Chainsingh tanwar, by mail

Erroneous decision

In reference to ‘The Covid batch’, the belated decision of the CBSE is fraught with uncertainties. The evaluation criteria for Class XII students on the principle of averages could have been decided earlier in the year. This would have saved precious time for the students wanting to focus on competitive exams. This evaluation could jeopardise the dreams of students seeking admission in overseas colleges and universities as they won’t be able to produce transcripts of the actual papers. The boards could have avoided this uncertainty with the actual conduct of examination through online mode as it is happening elsewhere. As most of the students from Punjab will be seeking overseas admissions, it would be prudent on part of the state education board to devise its own method rather than follow the CBSE.

Jashandeep Sandhu, Patiala

Judicious step

The CBSE’s declaration of the evaluation criteria for Class Xll is a judicious step as it has removed the uncertainty for lakhs of students and their parents. Now it is up to the schools to prepare the results as per the CBSE guidelines at the earliest so that these students do not suffer any more and are able to get admission to institutions of higher learning without further delay, especially those wishing to go abroad for higher studies.

NK Gosain, Bathinda

Difference of opinion

Apropos of ‘A-G, govt at odds as 23 posts abolished’, it is an irony of sorts that 23 not-so-high posts under him have been abolished without his consent. He had to shoot off a communique to the Chief Secretary to vent his anger against the arbitrary decision of the Home Department. Just about seven months before the Assembly elections in the state, transfers of librarians and stenographers would definitely jeopardise the functioning of the legal department. Nanda has been a soft target for witch-hunting by members of the ruling party. His resignation was sought by some leaders of the present dispensation for decisions beyond his control.

Upendra Sharma, by mail

Prevent third wave

Refer to ‘Use lull to enhance Covid preparedness’; it is true that the country has not learned lessons either from the first wave or the second and failed to utilise the time of lockdowns, and began unlocking without following the guidelines of the National Institute of Epidemiology. We are going back to square one and will be conducting our business as usual i.e. without appropriate systems in place for reducing deaths, without appropriate measures for preventing the spread of Covid, poor rate of vaccination and with inadequate healthcare system to handle future outbreaks. The lockdown has brought down the new cases by preventing movement and gatherings of people. Once the curbs are removed, the same situation will return in the country. Even now the government can control future outbreaks by increasing the rate of daily vaccination to minimum one crore per day and ensuring that people follow safety precautions seriously. Let the country not be in the vicious circle of lockdowns.

O Prasada Rao, by mail

Honesty in public life

I admire the writer’s views in ‘Glasshouses and stones’. He is frank and daring when he admits that there is a positive change in the SC after the present CJI took over. Every individual has his/her own strengths and weaknesses and they leave an impact on the position they hold. I have seen it in every field of life. Immediately after 1947, we had more honest and upright persons in public life, but soon our ‘swaraji’ politicians changed the thinking of our public servants, so we have more of them like our ruling class!

Baldev Singh, Melbourne

Boycotting development

With reference to ‘LPG distributors, workers protest gas pipeline in Amritsar’; why did the people not ask for employment opportunities from the governments in years passed by? Why do they want to be a roadblock on the road to progress? Is it loss of confidence in the system or lack of skills, as a byproduct of the education system. When was the last time an industry was set up in Amritsar? Will the people of the city just have Guru ka langar and Bhagwan ka prasad, making it only a religious tourism centre?

Aastha Bhatia, Amritsar