Mailbag

Power of Press

Sir,

Refer Daily Excelsior December, 14, I was stunned to find out that the plunderer of the forest wealth of Patnitop Dudu Range was none other than the range Officer of the Forest Department, who was supposed to protect and develop the forest wealth of this part of paradise.

It was, however, a matter of relief that the guilty official was suspended immediately by the concerned Ministry and the scam is being thoroughly investigated. The timely intervention has become possible only due to the report published in this newspaper. This act shows the power of an awakened press. Otherwise this brutal pludner would have gone unnoticed. Though we are the resident of this area i.e. Sudhmahadev, we never knew that such a thing was happening in Chenani-Dudu stretch which is called 'little paradise.'

Further I hope that you will continue with these good works so that corrupt people which go unnoticed would become public and the Government will remain at its toes to punish them.

Yours etc........
Atul Kumar
Udhampur.

Pota amendment

Sir,

It refers to passing of POTA-amendment bill by the Lok Sabha. Problem is that the Government bypasses obstructions created by opponents in going ahead with bills it wishes to pass even though such opponents may be partners in the Government. Passing of POTA was one such example which had now to be rectified considering political misuse in detention of NDA's own Viko by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. Other bills though publicly supported by all major parties like, Women Reservation are put in cold storage in name of achieving consensus.

Yours etc......
Madhu Agrawal
1775 Kucha Lattushah
Dariba, Delhi.

Indian victory at Adelaide

Sir,

This refers to the win which Indian team achieved in Adelaide, Oval after a gap of almost 22 years. The last time when they toured down under (Australia) they were defeated badly. The team that is present is almost the same team except for a couple of inclusions or exclusions. But the way Indians are playing at this time is almost heartening. It is there to see for everyone. The change is brought about by sheer application, commitment, perserverance and will to do something for this cricket crazy nation, which was almost missing, the last time they toured down under. If you go by the statements which some of the players made prior to the boxing day was that "each and very player has set his own target to the team's success" and that is what they did out there in the middle. This team, as said by none other than the aggressive skipper Sourav Ganguly that this team is playing well for the least 12-18 months is as a result of self confidence and team spirit which was lacking for the past some years. The bottom line is that "If you are committed to do something, you will do it." All the Indians back home, hope and pray that the team will play with the same spirit and intensity as they are displaying at the moment, to achieve many more feathers in the test cricket arena. We all wish best of luck to the "Team of India" in the near future.

Yours etc......
Sandeep (Sandy)
SKUAST Jammu.

Ban on non-iodised salt

Sir,

The Government seems much concerned about the ill effects of non-iodised salt on the health of common people which is welcome. However, non iodised salt now-a-days is sold and consumed by the people at large due to the fact that the companies manufacturing iodised salt, give wide publicity through print and electronic media about the usefulness of iodised salt.

The non iodised salt is used on a large scale (i.e. as per requirement) for consumption, as an essential part of food as also for other purposes like manufacture and preservation of ice candys, kulfees etc. etc. and processing of animal skins where iodised salt is neither required not economical. So it will not be possible to check the import of non-iodised salt in the State.

It may be proposed that checking squads be utilised to educate people and create awareness among the masses about the harms of consuming non-iodised salt by the human beings. In the meantime Government may consider banning on manufacture, supply and sale of refined, super fine atta which is more harmful for human health being without nutrients which are extracted disproportionately.

Yours etc.....
M. R. Gupta
Reshamgarh Colony,
Jammu.

Widen road from Udaiwala to Lale-da-Bagh

Sir,

Five years ago Border Roads Organisation Sampark reconstructed the road from Bohri Chungi to Gajansoo. But the road from Udhaiwala (narrow Bridge) to Kendriya Vidyalaya Lale-da-Bagh is so narrow that for pedestrians and scooterists, it is not free from danger to pass through this part of the road. The width of the road is such that if two vehicles stand together the pedestrian has no other options than to jump into the nallah otherwise he can be crushed under the vehicle or hit by the open doors of over-crowded bus. During the last two years many people got injured on this part of the road. Besides being densly populated army area, two big schools Kendriya Vidhalaya Lale-Da-Bagh and Vishwa Bharti Public School we situated on this road and thus creating much more problems and dangers for the school going small children.

After the completion of the reconstruction work, Sampark handed over the charge of this road to the State Govt. but unfortunately the State Government has failed in keeping the road in good condition and there are deep pits here and there. There have been no repairs during last four years and this road has become dangerous at Akalpur Morh, Army main gate and Kendriya Vidhalaya Lale-Da-Bagh.

In order to save the precious lives especially of the school going children of the area, it is requested to the concerned authorities, especially to the Minister of PWD to kindly issue instructions for the immediate widening and repairs of the road from Udaiwala (narrow bridge) to Kendriya Vidhayalay Lale-Da-Bagh.

Yours etc....
Rattan Razdan,
Lale-Da-Bagh,
Jammu.