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Glaring mistake in CAEE Brochure

Sir,

This has reference to the letter which appeared in your mail column dated 31st October 2000. Another very important aspect of the policy regarding reservations for different categories needs immediate clarification to indicate the openness of the State Government as per directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court under which these examinations are being conducted.

In para 3.8 sec. 8'' Children of Defence personnel and paramilitary forces and State Police personnel have been combined under defence quota resulting in dilution of the actual defence quota. There is no justification to do this if we remember the following facts :-

* Defence personnel come under Ministry of Defence, while,

* Paramilitary and police personnel come under Ministry of home.

* The defence personnel are required to 'shoot to kill' i.e. one bullet one enemy, whereas;

* Paramilitary and Police personnel are not permitted to 'shoot to kill' but are required to fire in the air.

* The roles of these forces are ideologically different apart from being constitutionally different.

In view of the above facts and also keeping in mind the policy of reservations as seen in the case of residents enjoying this facility being close to LoC, it is only justified that the quota of children of defence personnel be kept separate from that of paramilitary and police personnel. Further, the CAEE has been directed by the State to conduct these examinations and select suitable candidates for the PG and Diploma courses 2000. It is, therefore, of immediate urgency that the reservations for these categories are made known to all concerned including eligible candidates well before the selection process starts.

Yours etc...
Brig. D S Jamwal
Defence Colony,
Jammu.

Ageing Vehicles

Sir,

Apropos your editorial ''Ageing Vehicles'' (D. E Oct 21, 2000) you have made very appropriate suggestions to ameliorate the sufferings of poor citizens caused due to pollution, lack of civil amenities, unclean and unattended lanes and drains, garbage dumps, narrow roads etc. etc. The basic problem lies in the fact that the concerned stereotyped departments and authorities are insensitive to these issues and feel unconcerned. They cannot remain ignorant and it is incumbent on them to address these problems. The citizens by and large also are not properly educated on these issues and they are to a large extent, themselves to blame. Take for example the case of choked drains, Despite repeated warnings by Jammu Municipality against the use of polythene bags, there has been no let up in the use of the same. Similarly, the power-shortage can to a large extent be met if citizens voluntarily stop cooking food on heaters, use electricity only when and where necessary and industrial units do not resort to power theft.

It is indeed a matter of satisfaction that Honb'le High Court has intervened and given directions for control of pollution and orderly traffic on the roads for the benefit of the public. There is also urgent need of removing stray cattle from the roads as they are a great traffic hazard.

A viable and eco-friendly solution to shortage of power can be solar and wind energy. With vast open spaces available in the vicinity of Jammu City harnessing solar and wind power would be a good alternative. Many Western Countries are also using garbage & waste to generate power. Why cant we emulated. The time has come that concerned authorities apply their minds to find solution to the vexing problems facing the people. It is hoped that a discussion on these pressing issues will ensure from your readers after the publication of your timely editorial.

Yours etc...
Prof. B L Kaul
Environmentalist
186-Upper Laxmi Nagar,
Sarwal, Jammu.

Ignominious exit

Sir,

A State of gloom and despair descended on the Indian cricket lovers when the performance of our team touched its nadir in the finals of tri-nation series against Sri-Lanka at Sharjah. The so-called cricket heroes looked like a group of eleven people playing against a formidable world class cricket team. Collapses in matches are a part of the game cricket and sometimes teams get out at very low scores but the casualness and inaptitude of Indian players in the final match was beyond ones apprehension.

The Bengal tiger Sourav Ganguly was out in all the three matches played against Sri-Lanka caught on leg side trying to fend off the rising deliveries of Chammunda Vaas. With all the experience at his side, he could never think of some counter ploy. The teenage heart throb Sachin Tendulkar seems to have lost that grit and agility for which is known world over. Yuvraj Singh, thought to be a great hope for future could never understand the tantrums of spinning fingers of Mutaih Murlitharan. Vinod Kambli known for his excellence in domestic cricket once again failed to show his mettle at the international level. Sri Ram and Hemang Badani could not also contribute when it mattered. Zaheer Khan, although a promising bowler has a lot to learn about how to bowl to batsman of Jayasurya's calibre. Agharkar and Prasad looked very ordinary bowlers before the onslaught of Jayasurya. The trio of fast bowlers whom Ganguly had described at the best attack in the world crumbled under the impact of exploding Jayasurya.

The humiliating defeat suffered by the Indian team at the hands of Sri-Lanka was a nightmare too difficult to forget in the near future.

Can the players do some self introspection.

Yours etc...
Kuldeep Raina
Bhawani Nagar,
Gole Pulli, Talab Tilloo
Jammu.