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Musharraf- Vajpayee summit-I

Sir,

It refers to forthcoming visit of Pakistan President Parvez Musharraf to India. It has been rightly pointed out that no Pakistani government can ever be in a position to concede any part of Kashmir to be a part of India! That is true for Indian side also. Therefore such trips can only be pleasure trips for ruling heads like our Prime Minister Vajpayee's bus-ride to Lahore! This time, Parvez's trip may be a private pleasure entourage to fulfill his personal ambition to see his birth-place in old Daryanganj in Delhi! Citizens of India and Pakistan can only pray that Parvez's journey may not be followed by a Kargil-like war that followed Vajpayee's infamous bus ride to Lahore! Leadership of both countries have created enough provocation in minds of their citizens that they will not be able to tolerate separation of Kashmir from their respective countries.

Both India and Pakistan have to dance to tunes of lone super-powers- America. Otherwise India could have solved Kashmir issue to its advantage after 1965 or 1971 wars where Indian leadership lost the battle on table while our force had won the wars!

Forthcoming summit talks may be utilised for measures designed to benefit people of both the countries. Agreement may be worked out for Inland postal rates to be applicable between two countries like is system between India and Nepal. Distances between Indian and Pakistani cities are mostly less than distances amongst Indian cities. Such an agreement can provide better opportunity of interaction between two neighbouring countries paving way for better relations in time to come!

Yours etc...
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
1775 Kucha Lattushah
Dariba Delhi-110006

Musharraf- Vajpayee summit-II

''Only those live who do good'', Tolstoy

Where the Central Govt. has been liberal and soft to initiate talks with Gen Musharraf on contentious issue, it should have allowed Hurriyat to visit Pak Central Govt should not have dismissed the request of Hurriyat on feeble grounds which has generated heat. Hurriyat's desire to meet Gen Musharraf at Delhi may be agreed to as it will not set Thames on fire.

If we really mean to clear the dense smog we will have to listen to each and every party in Kashmir even if it carries an insignificant roll to avoid confrontation, confusion and controversy. It will be not in interest to underestimate the strength of any party as it evokes simmering resentment.

Kashmiri has to play a vital role in this drama of tragedy. He is a fulcrum, his association at appropriate level cannot be dispensed with as the issue has shattered his peace, economy and above all composite culture.

Things are moving fast and in right direction and these are the positive signs of summit meet. Both have the ardent desire to improve relation and understanding. Talks with open mind are laudable provided inflexibility and rigidity is shunned and instead sincerety and honesty of purpose are clubbed together to form an invincible front against die-hards and odds.

It is also significant to note that Gen Musharraf is visiting his ancestral Haveli a natural bond involving sentiments. It reminds how a man is guided by the inner impulses with un-flinching love for his Haveli where even the haughtiest heart has to submit before his uncanny emotion.

Wish all the success for the Summit meet to restore human dignity and humanity.

 Yours etc...
P N Sus
129-Surya Vihar, Bhori,
Jammu

Anti-employee measure

Sir,

On 28th Feb. this year on the eve of presentation of budget for the year 2001-2002, the Union Finance Minister Mr Yashwant Sinha informed the parliament that the ''expenditure'' on pensions'' has constantly been registering an unprecedented upward trend from the past several years. This has now touched to the optimum level of one percent of our gross domestic product (GDP). If this unprecedented upward trend in ''expenditure on pension'' is allowed to continue in its present form, the days are not far off, when it will reach beyond the manageable limits, and will have adverse growth. The Government of India has thus decided to arrest this trend and restrict the expenditure on pension to the existing levels. To achieve this objective it has thus been proposed to rationalise the existing pension rules and procedures in the following manner :-

i) All those persons who shall enter the government service on or after 1.10.2001 shall receive pension based on ''New Pension Contributory scheme, and :

ii) For existing pensioners'' A High level Expert Committee to review the existing system shall be constituted and asked to suggest measures to reduce the expenditure on pension.

The news that the ''Working group on Pension'' constituted by the Government of India has suggested the Government for adoption of a new contributory pension scheme for the government employees restricting the existing pension liability to the order of Rs 29500 crores has not surprised me nor it should be so to any conscious trade Union worker. This news, however, can be much surprising for many such people who are still unaware of the class character of the Governments at the centre and in the States and their anti people, anti poor and anti working class policies. The politicians at the helm of affairs (both at centre and in the states) during last 53 years of independence have most ruthlessly and unabatedly plundered the major portion of the National Wealth under the false slogans of economic upliftment of the rural poor and other weaker sections of the society. This is clearly evident from the infighting amongst themselves who day in and day out are busy in trading such charges against each other. Knowing fully the causes of economic depression, these politicians have found a scapegoat in Government employees and pensioners holding then responsible for their failure on the economic front. This news, however, is definitely a matter of concern and great anxiety for Government employees and pensioners who shall be facing the direct warrant of these retrograde measures and have immediate adverse impact on their day to day livings. The state government employees under the banner of All Jammu and Kashmir Low Paid Government Employees Federation under the leadership of Abdul Majid Khan, has already launched the struggle against this retrograde step and has so far held several protests, demonstrations in the nook and corner of the state calling upon the employees to forge unity and be prepared to counter successfully any attempt of the government in the implementation of the aforesaid anti employees measures. It is the opportune time for the leadership of the ''Pensioners Association'' so far unaware of the evil designs of the Government to awaken from the deep slumber, organise their cadres and launch a protected struggle by organising dharnas, demonstrations and other forms of struggle against the anti pensioners policies of the government and take it to the logical conclusion.

Yours etc...
Sain Dass Sumbria
126 Pacci Dakki Jammu.