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Implement SC order

Sir,

I would like to draw attention of the general public to the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India dated 2nd November 2001 vide Public Interest Litigation WP (Civil) No. 316 of 1999 filed by Mr. Murli Deora imposing ban on smoking in public places. The above order reads "Realising the gravity of the situation and considering the adverse effect of smoking on smokers and passive smokers, we direct and prohibit smoking in public places and issue directions to the Union of India, State Governments as well as the Union Territories to take effective steps to ensure prohibiting smoking in public places, namely Auditoriums, Hospital Buildings, Health Institutions, Educational Institutions, Libraries, Court Buildings Public Offices and Public Conveyances, including Railways."

But to my dismay, implementation of the order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, the highest Judicial body of our country is not distinctly noticed in any of the above places. I often find passengers and even drivers smoking under the banner of "No Smoking" in public transport. Most of the people relate smoking to so-called "Macho Image" who deliberately smoke in public places. It seems mere statutory warnings, prescriptions and even judiciary orders are not adequate and effective. There is utmost need to implement the recently issued order on the Hon'ble Supreme Court in true letter and spirit, otherwise it will just be a mockery of the such orders or legislation. I am also of the view that an evil of smoking and its ill-effects if introduced as a part in primary school level education, it may bring consciousness and awareness amongst the younger generations, against the social evil in our society.

Yours etc...
Lokinder Singh Ravi
Chhanni Rama
Jammu.

Poto and Parliamentarians

Sir,

Knowledge of bullets and gun-fire outside the Parliament house must have given a shiver in the spine of those who were inside the Parliament house. Many of them must have heard the buttet sounds for the first time in their real life. Many of them must have remembered their respective gods at that time. Many of their family members must have prayed for their safety. But people outside the Parliament house have been hearing the bullet sounds daily and many of them have given their lives without any cause. Many of them have left their houses and hearths, many of them are living the life of a stranger in their own country, many of the families have been left headless. Who has left their pain? None.

India Govt. have been trying to get a bill called POTO passed in the Parliament for the last few days. Many of the so called opposition parliamentarians have been trying to oppose this bill tooth and nail only because their main aim is to oppose whatever the party in power proposes. Congress is playing a leading role in this inspite of the fact that their two leaders have been the victims of terrorism.

The person who is a traitor should be treated like a traitor. I do not know why these parliamentarians have been crying to oppose this bill. Do they want to keep their politics above the national interests? Do they want to have a compromise with the security of the country? They should not forget that if they do not do this then their own survival is in danger. This attack outside the Parliament house must have given them the fraction of pain which the people of J&K State have been feeling for the last more than a decade now. Dr. Farooq Abdullah has been supporting this POTO very strongly not because of the fact that he is an ally of BJP at Centre but because that he has seen the devastation, the blood all around of the fellow citizens, ther pain of ruining of the State with his own eyes. The parliamentarians have seen never ending State of devastation in news papers only.

Hope, that after this incident, they will come out of their petty politics to support in future every act of the Government which strengthens the national interests and national security.

Yours etc...
S C Abrol
Janipur Jammu.

Restoration of autonomy

Sir,

Various views are expressed from time to time in the media about the demand for restoration of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. In this context, the primary questions we must ask ourselves and answer are, whether:-

The recommendations of the State Autonomy Committee endorsed by a resolution of the State Legislature contravene or are consistent with the provisions of the constitution of India.

The constitutional relationship of J&K with the Indian Union as enshrined in Article 370 of the constitution of India and further defined in the State constitution adopted by the Jammu and Kashmir constituent Assembly on November 17, 1956 can be varied or amended in any respect under the Indian or the State constitution or not and

If it can be, then by whom and in what manner?

Would the readers kindly apply their mind to these questions and find appropriate answers?

Yours etc...
Teja Singh
Jammu.