Mailbag

Power and politicians

Sir,

Every where in India, which is the biggest democracy in the world, we find power hungry politicians. They are always craving for a ministerial berth and that too with a portfolio of their choice. To cite a few let us confine ourself to the centre and state of J&K. In the centre, Sonia Ji of course instead of occupying the seat of Prime Ministership, ofcource for reasons best known to her or to the President of India or to her own family members or to the guess work of educated masses, has finally accepted the cabinet rank in the centre in the role of her being elected as Head of the coordination committee overseeing the United Progressive Alliance's, National Common Minimum Programme and will be heading an independent office. So called tainted MPs, who are, ofcourse, in the Parliament because of exploited poor electorates posing their confidence in them, fought for port folios of Public importance such as Home, Railways and so on and so forth. Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad who belongs to J&K State too has accepted a berth of a Cabinet Minister in the centre and did not opt to follow the footsteps of Sonia Ji by refusing the said berth.

Even some MPs from J&K who left no stone unturned to get a ministerial berth in the Centre, but were unsuccessful in their mission turned their back to their Home State and has struck to their ministerial berths occupied by them as MLAs, which position is unknown to our constitution. However hunger for power is a human weakness and is not new to the present set up of society. Hardly, we find politicians of the status of Mahatma Gandhi who never craved for power.

Your etc...
Ch. Vidya Sagar
Jammu

Discovery of underground lake

Sir,

A front page news item of Daily Excelsior dated 03 Jun 04 Col. I Titled "J&K Govt. NR review hitches in rail Project'' reveals that there is an underground lake detected in one of the under construction railway tunnels in Udhampur-Katra Section (25 Km). The Northern Railway authorities in a high meeting told the J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that due to lake's detection the railway tunnel construction work has been slowed down.

It is indeed surprising as well as heartening to know that we have a lake beneath the dry soil-cover in-between Udhampur-Katra. It is really an underground blessing. I think God is too kind to the people of beautiful and sacred Duggar Pradesh. The matter should be given a sincere thought as it is of tremendous significance and multidimensional benefits. The said underground lake should be dis-covered and brought over-ground i.e, before the people's eyes. It would surely add to the charm and attraction of the matchless natural wealth of Jammu Province in general and Udhampur-Katra in particular. The tourism sector would also get a miraculous boost. Let the hidden treasure see the Sun and make the area people prosperous.

The railway line, if needed can be given a slight turn to by-pass the lake. We are fortunate enough to have engineers and other agencies of par excellence who can do the noble task in a fine way. The people from all walks of life of province Jammu should come forward and stress upon the important and meaningful matter in one voice. Special attention of State, Centre Govts and agency of Archeological Survey of India is solicited.

Yours etc.
Swantantra Dev Kotwal
Udhampur

Restructuring PSC

Sir,

Apropos news item ''Govt. to restructure PSC" published in the Daily Excelsior on June 9, it may be said that time and again fingers have been raised on the functioning of State Public Service Commission. Whenever the results of KAS have been declared, candidates who are not selected blame the PSC authorities for manipulating marks.

In these circumstances, it has become necessary that to maintain its credibility, it should be reoriented. The first step in this direction should be selection of its members. These should be people of integrity, honesty and competence. They should be free from any partisan attitude.

Then the second step should be to make exams more transparent and flexible. If remedial measures are not taken immediately in this direction, the PSC will continue to be caught in controversies. The assurance by the Minister for Finance and Parliamentary Affairs, Muzafar Hussain Baig in this regard is quite commendable. Hope he would take this matter to its logical end.

Yours etc...
C L Kotru
Gandhi Nagar,
Jammu.

Jammu Lake

Sir,

This has reference to an artificial lake in Jammu as propounded by A S Jamwal in Daily Excelsior dated May 30 and refuted by learned H M Singh from Rajouri D E June 10.

In this connection I wish to add and inform the learned authors that it may be difficult but not impossible to achieve the target of making a lake a in Jammu. What is needed in democracy is public awakening of Jammu people by the politicians, statesman, senior citizens and last but not least the students. With the efforts of every enlightened citizens and our technocrats, we can make the blue prints. When Central Government is linking giant rivers of India, Tawi can also be harnessed in to a lake. Let the idea move.

Yours etc...
D P Ajrawat
Rajbagh (Ujh) Kathua.

Promote indigenous games

Sir,

This has reference to the news item 'concern over neglect of indigenous games' that appeared in the Daily Excelsior on June 10.

It is really a matter of grave concern that no attention is being paid to the development of local games.

These games reflect our cultural heritage and the way we used to entertain overselves in the past.

Moreover, if we neglect them, we would lose a variety, which may be a great loss to us. The Government should encourage people to participate in these games. The sports authorities on the other hand should develop these games on scientific lines. Incentives should also be paid to the participants.

It is quite astonishing that we are promoting foreign games at the cost of our local games. Though one should have no bias for any game, it is also important that every game should be treated equally.

To promote these games, the Government should make equal distribution of budgetary allocations. A balancing approach is a must.

Yours etc...
Devinder Singh
Jammu.

Provide drinking water

Sir,

Kind attention of the Minister for PHE Qazi Mohd. Afzal is invited towards the acute water shortage of drinking water in Sec. A/1, Laxmipuram, Chinore Bantalab. The drinking water to the area is provided after 15 days with a very low pressure which has created hue & cry among the common people of the area. The House holders of the area has to purchase the drinking water locally which a common person can hardly afford in these hard days.

The Minister is kindly requested to intervene personally and save us for the burning problem which we are facing for want of drinking water.

Yours etc...
Residents of Laxmipuram,
Sec. A/1, Chinore.