Opinion Kaiga warnings

It is now up to the investigators to find out how the radioactive material (tritium) was accessed and placed in the water cooler....

The Indian Express

December 3, 2009 03:34 AM IST First published on: Dec 3, 2009 at 03:34 AM IST

The sabotage at the Kaiga nuclear power plant is alarming (Kaiga test,IE,December 1). It is now up to the investigators to find out how the radioactive material (tritium) was accessed and placed in the water cooler. There ought to be a probe on whether this was the handiwork of an insider or outsider and what prompted his/her action. Given that the atomic power plant is of vital significance,there arises an utmost need to sift through the procedures with a fine tooth comb since,as your editorial argues,there indeed is a wider civic and humanitarian issue at stake here.

Dilbag Rai

Chandigarh

Find and punish

The editorial Kaiga test (IE,December 1) has accurately highlighted the importance of safety and security at nuclear plants. Whether caused by human neglect,a disgruntled employee or sabotage,a leakage or an accident at a nuclear plant should be treated as a serious matter. While accidents caused by technical or human error can be rectified by improving design or training those resulting from internal sabotage point towards a flaw of character and/ or sense of organisational commitment. These can be prevented only by tracing the culprits and inflicting exemplary punishment on them.

Y.G. Chouksey

Pune

On watch

It is a shame for us and our democracy that elected representatives are not only not attending Parliament regularly but also remain absent during their allocated question time (Silent question,IE,December 2). This is naturally a disappointment to voters. It is welcome that Sonia Gandhi has taken serious note of this. Perhaps all parties should make a 70 per cent attendance for an MP mandatory.

Bidyut K. Chatterjee

Faridabad

For discussion

Parliament sessions are meant for articulating public aspirations,apart from normal legislative and executive tasks. There is no dearth of issues to discuss on the floor of the House. For instance,there are concerns about rising prices of essential commodities,about China and Pakistan,as well as a plan of action for Copenhagen. These issues need thorough debate.

Ashwani Sharma

Ghaziabad

Obamas message

This refers to Stop using Lashkar,insurgents for policy goals,Obama warns Pak (IE,December 1). President Barack Obamas message to Pakistan can be seen as a result of Manmohan Singhs US visit. Perhaps Obama has recognised the lack of political will in Pakistan for resolving the issue of terrorism despite the large amount of aid provided to the country. It is now up to the Pakistani establishment to wipe out terrorism or the US will have the leverage to initiate action.

Deepak Chikramane

Mumbai