Mailbag

Redress grievances of PSU workers

Sir,

It is for the first time in the history of the State that Chief Minister has himself assured the Public Sector Employees for redressal of their genuine grievances by end of June 2006, while addressing the ''May Day'' rally at Jammu, which has highly been appreciated by all walks of life. He expressed his concern that throughout the country Dearness Allowance (D.A) is being paid to the Central as well as State Government employees and it is only in J&K State where ''Cost of Living Allowance'' (COLA) is being paid to the PSU employees. He termed COLA as misnomer of D.A, as such, it needs to be replaced by D.A.

The PSU workers assured the Chief Minister that they will leave no stone unturned to make the State self-sufficient and economically sound and fulfill his expectation of Kushall State by dint of their hardwork and dedication. The participation of the Chief Minister in the workers Rally that too on the eve of ''Labour Day'' indicates the seriousness of the Government towards the Welfare and dignity of the workers. He stressed the working class to think seriously towards the good education of their wards. Such suggestions will definitely prove very beneficial to the workers in the long run. The workers have full faith that the Chief Minister will fulfill his commitment in letter and spirit within stipulated time, so that the long pending grievances of the workers are redressed under his leadership.

The main issue of PSU workers are conversion of COLA into D.A and pensionery benefits.

Yours etc...
A K Sen
Jammu

Infrastructure in schools

Sir,

Refer news item 'United teachers demand re-organisation'' Daily Excelsior May 2.

This is an admitted fact that the Government schools are lacking in adequate infrastructure. The condition is quite worse in schools functioning in remote areas. In some schools, students face paucity of accommodation. This forces them to bear the scorching heat in summer and chilly winds in winter. At some places, schools have no provision for drinking water. These students have either to get water from their homes or drink contaminated water from springs and bowlis.

Most of the schools lack apparatus for conducting experiments. Science without practicals is of no use. So a survey should be made of these schools and necessary infrastructure be provided to them. This would raise educational standards in these schools and in the State.

Yours etc...
Des Raj
Udhampur

World culture

Sir,

This is in reference to the news item 'Azad seeks help of working class to create work culture in State'' Daily Excelsior May 2.

If we have to make our State strong and prosperous, we will have to work hard for it. Work culture which is presently missing in public offices has to be cultivated without losing further time. Mr. Azad has rightly said that ''working class has to play a major role in accomplishing the agenda of peace, progress and Khushali in taking the State to new heights of prosperity''. For this we have to imbibe the virtues of integrity and honesty. Dishonesty in dealings is tantamount to dereliction of duty. The other side of the coin is that the Government should take care of the concerns of working class. The working class is the backbone of any Government and country.

Yours etc...
Ajay Sharma
Bari Brahmana