Mailbag

In Defence

Sir,

The introduction of an exclusive column " In Defence", started by your newspaper and dedicated to defence forces is indeed a laudable step. The armed forces are usually a forgotten lot, plying their lonely furrow in the society. There is a criminal lack of awareness or even interest amongst the general public about the ultimate weapon, the so-called ‘ Brahma-Astra", that is used by the Government as a last resort in practically every field. Ergo, we find that besides fighting wars and militancy, the armed forces are used in natural calamities, e.g floods , cyclone and earthquakes, in aid to civil power and internal security duties, when all agencies charged with responsibilities to deal with these situations, generally fail.

While the man in uniform soldiers on regardless of whether he is recognised or not, recognition certainly bolsters his morale and gives him a definite high.

Hopefully, this column —"In Defence" in your newspaper would fulfill this requirement and that probably would be one of the biggest contributions towards the man in uniform.

Yours etc......
Lt Col Mukund Singh Jamwal, (Retd)
Senior Manager, Shri Mata
Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra.

Hard Decisions

Sir,

Prime Minister's and Finance Minister's fumbling that hard decisions will be taken to reform the economy is a welcome step. Hard decisions and bold initiatives are in the interest of the national economy and the people in the ultimate analysis. But nothing should be done in haste. While taking hard initiatives, the common man should not be hit the most. Hard decisions should be progressive in that they should not tax the average Indian the most but it hardly matters if these affect the high strata of society. Elimination of subsidies is alright but these should be done away with gradually and before it proper and conducive atmosphere and mindset should be prepared for this. Doing away with subsidies at one stroke of pen will lead to resentment and condemnation from all right thinking people. Government will have to face the public wrath for this. Need is to curtail subsidies bit by bit. Is it not the Govt of India, which has made people accustomed to subsidies by providing cooking gas and other items throughout India ? It is the government, which has popularised LPG cooking gas even among poor and rural people of India. There is no visible and spectacular improvement in the living conditions of majority of Indian people. Then how is the government justified in doing away with the subsidies. Similarly other items of PDS like kerosene oil, fertilizers etc. should not be de-subsidised without proper thought. Bold decisions and hard economic initiatives should be aimed at public welfare as it is the barometer of the economic health of the Nation. Other economic decisions like dis-investment of PSUs and privatization of the Nationalised Banks and Insurance sector should not be done in haste and blindly. Because such decisions have far reaching ramifications for our poor but developing economy which is on the march to next millennium with the motto of self sufficiency and national pride. Let the Government, planners and economists work in unison to fight the monster of poverty and deprivation and follow pragmatic policy regarding privatisation.

Yours etc...
Omkar Dattatray
Bank Colony,
Munshi Chack, Jammu.

Bus accidents to recur

Sir,

Once again inquiry has been ordered for the tragic bus accident, which claimed 56 precious lives near Bhoond. Once again the report will be submitted and traffic police and the MVD will be asked to expedite checking and more revenue will be collected for Government. But after few days every thing will be normal, except for those who lost their dear one. Those who will ban Diwali celebration for ever.

One simple question that is boggling in the mind of relatives of the deceased is ''who is responsible for this tragic accident''?- Traffic Police, MVD, Distt. Administration, Driver or the people. The credibility and accountability of traffic police and MVD is evaluated by the revenue they collect. Since these are the two major revenue generating departments. So more the revenue better the accountability.

Eversince the agent system has started the things have worsened. These agents have very cordinal relation with the Government officials and they serve as the courier for transferring money. Legal or illegal work could be got done through agents. One can possess driving licence without appearing for test, get the fitness certificate for most dilapidated vehicles etc.

The traffic police has its own limitations. Since it is an open secret that they make entries by accepting money illegally from transporters or truckers. So they too are handicapped while enforcing law.

The Distt. Administration also seems to be looking other way. The J&K newsline had published an article under the heading ''Travel by Public Transport is an ordeal in Kathua'' dated 25 August 99. It seems distt. administration and all other concerned agencies ignored the working thus resulting loss of 56 lives.

Some put the blame on passengers why they boarded over crowded bus, but on the occasion of festival who does not want to go home for celebration. On such an occasion Govt. can operate additional services.

Unless all these agencies resolve seriously to streamline the traffic nothing is going to happen and such tragedies are bound to occur again and again.

Yours etc...
Zafran Dutt
Kathua.