Mailbag

Clarification

Sir,

This has reference to the editorial comment on ''uniform sales tax'' carried by your esteemed paper in its issue on Feb, 2, 2000.

It is not factually correct to say that the State Government has enhanced the sales tax on petrol to 20 percent but not reduced the sales tax on Diesel, which carries lesser rate of sales tax in the neighbouring state. The fact is that petrol has now been taxed at the uniform rate of 20 percent and the State Government has only adopted the same uniform rate. In respect of Diesel most of the States, particularly in our neighbourhood, have taxed the commodity at 12 percent excepting Punjab which has taxed the commodity at 8 percent. However, in a meeting of Sales Tax Commissioners held at Pinjore Haryana recently the issue was discussed and it was unanimously agreed that all the States in the Northern region would impose a sales tax of 12 percent on Diesel. Accordingly Punjab Government will be issuing necessary notification in this behalf within next couple of days on the pattern of what other sister States in the region have already done. Since in our State the commodity was, already taxed at 12 percent, there will be no change in the rate of tax.

This clarification may kindly be given prominent place in your paper as your editorial on the subject is likely to create mis-understanding among the people.

Yours etc...
PA (Tech) to Commissioner Sales Tax,
J&K Govt; Jammu.

Plea to CM

Sir,

In reference to the news item ''LET's fool proof plot to kill Farooq in Hakhu Stadium foiled'' dated 23.1.2000. We the habitants of J&K as also of the country should thank the Almighty with whose kindness and blessings our security agencies have been able to apprehend the militant suiciders in time and avert the plot of killing our Chief Minister alongwith many other precious and innocent people in the stadium. We all should pray for his long life. May God bless him and give him power to deal with the present situation most effectively and save the life property and honour of the people of the state who are under the grip of militancy. We feel that our former PM Mr Narsimha Rao who ruled the country for complete five years most successfully felt it necessary to search Dr Farooq Abdullah for ruling J&K state after 7 years of militancy. The former PM and Congress have done well. Political considerations are something else and may go on but we should always keep in mind the interests of the state and the nation. In the present scenario there seems none to handle the situation effectively. However, the steps initiated by him now to tackle the foreign sponsored militancy, should have been initiated right from 1996. He is requested to make similar crackdown on corruptions to provide a neat and clean administration to the already suffered people of the state and may God provide him strength to do so.

Yours etc...
M R Gupta
R/o Rashemghar Colony
Jammu.

42 mandays: A big loss

Sir,

I wish Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah had intervened much earlier in the 42 day Government Employees' Strike. At this stage we do not envisage how much we have lost besides suffering of the common man. In this country even a days loss can not be compensated because there is so much to do. Loosing 42 mandays is such a big loss that it can never be recovered. Infact we lack work culture in our part of the world and that is the reason we are lagging behind. In USA, hire and fire is the rule and no work and no pay is an established fact. One is paid for the work he does and no body is paid for the work he has not done. It is only in our country that we take everything for granted. That, however, does not mean that the Government should not listen to the problems of the employees. There should be a perfect coordination between the Government and its employees so that such an embarrasing situation does not paralyse the govt for such a long time.

Yours etc...
Rangil Singh
Former Minister J&K Government

Revoke ESMO

Sir,

The striking J&K Government employees are truely deserving the long pending DA installments due from Ist January and Ist July 1999 @ 5 percent and 10 percent respectively and also arrears of the 5th Pay Commission. The DA installments and the arrears of the 5th Pay Commission are the integral part of their salaries. The question is- why the Government has withheld these dues of the striking employees unnecessarily for a long time? The employees have the right to get their legitimate demands approved and fulfilled by the Government.

In fact the Central Government sanctions periodical DA installments and also new Pay scales for its employees to enable them to overcome the price hike of essential commodities. This procedure is followed by other states also including J&K. The J&K Government has been sanctioning DAs and New Pay scales for its employees at par with the Central Government employees.

The Central Government employees have already received their 5 percent and 10 percent DA installments and pay commission arrears in full. The Central Government has also enhanced the retirement age of its employees from 58 years to 60 years- along with the recommendation of 5th Pay Commission. But the J&K Government employees have not received the DA installments, 2nd installment of Pay Commission arrears for which the strike is going on. These employees are also demanding the same rise of retirement age from 58 years to 60 years at par with the central government employees.

The leaders of the J&K Employees have voiced their demands time and again.

Unfortunately, the J&K Government remained silent over these demands for a long time. Naturally, the employees were left with no option but to go on Kaam Chhor Hartal.

When the employees started their strike the J&K Government formed the Cabinet Sub-Committee to resolve the crisis of the striking employees. The Cabinet Sub Committee held several meetings with the employees but could not reach satisfactory conclusion.

When talks failed the Government issued ESMA notification on 12th January 2000.

The imposition of ESMA was widely condemned by all Pol. parties, social organisations and trade unions.

The ruthless and brutal lathicharge on agitating employees is totally undemocratic. The harsh treatment meted out to employees shows the crude face of the Government aided by callous bureaucracy. On democratic set up, every individual has the right to raise his or her voice to get his or her genuine demands fullfilled by the Government. The imposition of ESMO is in no way conducive either for the Government or the striking employees. The confrontation of the Government with the justified striking employees may result in the prolongation of the strike. The prolonged strike will badly effect the economy of the State. So revoke ESMO and adopt conciliatory approach toward employees. Since employees are the wheels of the Government machinery, therefore, it is utmost duty of the Government to redress the grievances of its striking employees.

Yours etc...
Rattan Lal Pandita
R/o Bhagwati Nagar,
Jammu.