Mailbag

Answer in privatization

Sir,

This is in response to the letter by Dr. M L Wangoo, dated May 10th. Each profession has its ups and downs. I've closely seen some of the IPS officers operating their day to day jobs. Expecting them to be physically and mentally fit is a nice requirement.

First, I'd like to see all the doctors that practice, pass mental and physical fitness tests. Then the nurses and the ward boys. It was a shame to read in this esteemed newspaper about a Gujjar child not getting proper medical attention because of "corrupt" medical staff. These people, unlike IPS officers, are meant to save lives and not to take them.

Next I'd like to point out the civil engineering officials who are involved in large project dealing with construction etc. How many of them actually visit the sites on a day to day basis ? How many mingle with the working force to encourage them and make sure that the work is done in a quality fashion ? These officials also fall under the "Beer Belly" category.

Next I'd like to point out the politicians and other State and Central government officials whose duty is to go to the common man and take care of their needs. Instead the common man has to approach these officials countless times to get a simple job done. Also think about the government Babus, PWD employees and other officials serving common man. Aren't these the classic "Beer Belly" officers who do nothing. How many of them take countless "Tea Breaks" and "Lunch Breaks", that too if they do indeed show up for work.

Then think about the teachers who do not show up for the classes but are more interested in giving private tuitions and making money. These teachers still do have their officials jobs, don't they ? I feel there should be a fitness tests for them as well.

There are separate fitness tests for different. Looking around, there are "Beer Bellied" people in our every day life. One solution is to private everything and make people actually "work" for their jobs. Anybody failing to do their job is to be fired.

Yours etc.....
Anish Gupta
<anish.gupta@eng.sun.com>

End Reservation

Sir,

Reference be made to the letter "End Reservation" by J.C. Sharma published in DE dated May 3, 1999.

According to the author, "Reservation if needed be given once in a life time but not in promotions". I do not fully agree with this statement. It seems to be more individualistic rather than a general approach. In my opinion, either there should be complete and proper implementation of reservation for SC/STs so as to install them on the pedestral of dignity and self respect or there should be no reservation for SC/STs at all so that these downtrodden and backward sections of the society either accept it sheepishly once for all or they stand against it in full strength.

In fact, many consider reservations as "Charity" which is not correct. These rights were provided under ‘Poona Pact’, signed in Yervada Jail of Poona. The National Commission for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes set up under article 338 of the Constitution was authorised to maintain and investigate all matters relating to them. Section 10 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir also provides, "The permanent residents of the state shall have all the rights granted to them under the Constitution of India. But unfortunately, appropriate reservation in various fields is yet a distant dream which amounts to violation of Human Rights and violation of Rights enshrined in the Constitution.

As far as my views are concerned, we must help to ameliorate the plight of these downtrodden and backward classes of the society. According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, an idea needs propagation as much as plant needs watering. Both will otherwise wither and die.

Yours etc.....
Vijay Bangotra
State General Secretary
Budha Club Student Front.

Amend Constitution

Sir,

Our constitution is an obselete ‘holy’ book full of contradictions and loopholes, making mockery of democracy. Constitution would have created conflict between President and Prime Minister if the Cabinet would have refused to seek vote of confidence, or to recommend dissolution of 12th Lok Sabha on ‘instructions’ of the President. As anticipated by most people, what happens if the 13th Lok Sabha is again of same nature ? There should be fixed norms for authorities like President, Governors and Speakers with least discretionary powers.

Prime Minister / Chief Minister must be elected by absolute majority through secret ballot of Lok Sabha/Vidhan Sabha members. To minimise contests for these posts, nominations may be signed by at least one-third members of the House. Such Prime Minister/Chief Minister may be free to chose ministers from any party without asking party-bosses to name nominees. To avoid political bargains, ministry-size may be restricted to one-tenth strength of Lok Sabha/Vidhan Sabha. Even if a party gets absolute majority, the Prime Minister/Chief Minister may, if desire, take ministers only from his/her party. No-confidence motion may be accepted for secret voting an written demand of at least one-third members of Lok Sabha/Vidhan Sabha. Fall of government-sponsored bills may not be considered reason for fall of government. Provisions of earlier passed Financial Bill may automatically continue till passage of new Financial Bill. Such measures will give equal status to all members of the House eliminating party-bossism and personal interests of handful leaders, ensuring full terms of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas.

Post of Lok Sabha Speaker must be made above party-politics by upgrading it to post of a Vice President. President and two Vice Presidents may be simultaneously elected in same manner as President is elected by all MPs and MLAs. In case of mid-term vacancy at post of President, senior Vice President may be made President for rest of the term. In case of mid-term vacancy at post of a Vice President, an interim Vice President may be elected for rest of the term by MPs only. Speakers of State Legislatures and Deputy chairpersons of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and State Legislatures may be elected by secret ballot in respective Houses.

President must issue ordinances for poll-reforms, Women-Reservation and refixing constituency-limits before the polls to make them fair-most.

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