Scourge of corruption

‘Politicisation of administration’ (Sept 15) depicts the true aspect of the political atmosphere prevailing in the country. Corruption is the result of unfettered powers. Democratic values take a back seat. Corruption has, in fact, crept into our blood and can be compared to a horizon — the further you go, the farther it goes. Under such circumstances, the workforce has to abide by the pulls and pressures of the masters. No improvement in our system/administration can be given shape unless there is accountability of the performance of all functionaries from top to bottom. India can rise from the overall sagging situation if the government shrugs off its authoritarian approach and conceives constructive policy changes for the betterment of the country and its citizenry.

SARDUL SINGH DHAWAN, Chandigarh

Who appointed them?

Refer to ‘65 ineligible extension lecturers dismissed’ (Sept 15); who recruited the ineligible lecturers in violation of the Haryana Government policy and the UGC guidelines? Responsibility should be fixed on those brazen officials who allowed such illegal and irregular appointments, thereby causing a huge loss to the public exchequer. Salary paid to these ineligible lecturers should be recovered from the delinquent officials. Unfortunately, the State Education Department follows a flip-flop policy. There is no coordination and uniformity between the department and state universities. Both have failed to implement the mandatory provisions of the Haryana Affiliated Colleges (Security of Service Act) 1979 in private-aided colleges to the detriment of teachers. Several non-government recognised and 95% aided colleges are functioning without validly constituted governing bodies. The authorities are not only mute spectators but also party to such irregularities. In 1988, the government decided that teachers of non-government colleges can’t be transferred in the absence of any common cadre and joint seniority. However, the government allows arbitrary, malafide transfers in 13 recalcitrant DAV Colleges due to the clout of non-statutory DAV management in Delhi. The apex court has held that society does not acquire a corporate status.

Anil Bhatia, Hisar

A political stand

Apropos of the Sept 15 editorial “Naomi’s masked statement”, sportspersons have taken a political stand earlier, too, but it hasn’t been easy, as international sports federations discourage it. Elsewhere, Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas displayed support for Black Lives Matter in his attire. Earlier, Moeen Ali, who plays cricket for England, had run into trouble for sporting a wristband with ‘Free Palestine’ message on it. This surge in political consciousness and desire to use sports for politics is welcome and can also bring about a change in the attitude of sports federations.

MS KHOKHAR, by mail

Labour data

The recent statement by the government in Parliament regarding not maintaining any record of the actual number of deaths of migrant labourers during the lockdown is immature and illogical. On the one hand, the government announced a package of Rs 20 lakh crore to meet the losses that occurred during the lockdown and for giving infinite advertisements regarding the financial package, and on the other, it has denied sharing the actual position of the labourers. The labour class, like farmers, is the backbone of the economy, and if this class remains unemployed, the GDP of the nation will never recover. The government must seriously consider the situation as the GDP is at an all-time low. The government must maintain actual data which would help make economic policies and budget.

NAVNEET SETH, DHURI

Oxygen supply

The Punjab Government’s decision to augment oxygen supply chain is a delayed response, as it was known from the beginning of the epidemic that the mainstay of the treatment is oxygen supply to affected patients, whether by mask, nasal twangs, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, high flow nasal oxygen or by ventilators. At least all district hospitals should have had their own oxygen plants functioning by now to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to patients. All efforts were made to project that my district/state is the best in taking care of the pandemic, but in reality, no concrete steps were taken at the ground level to augment healthcare facilities.

Sanjeev Jindal, Sangrur

Congress’ Waterloo

Refer to ‘Congress at crossroads’; owing to the pandemic-driven crisis, the economy has nose-dived, business and industrial production has touched its lowest ebb. Shunting of workforce is further increasing unemployment. Though limping, the Congress has failed to use the situation to refurbish its image. Its house is not in order. A party which is unable to elect its permanent president is doomed to meet its Waterloo.

KARNAIL SINGH, Kharar

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