Notifying Senior Citizens Act is a good move

R K Kapoor,CHANDIGARH

Take care of the elderly

There are increasing cases of senior citizens being killed by their domestic servants or harassed by their own kith and kin.We need to protect themif we want a healthy society. Once the children get married and start leading their own lives,away from parents,the old couple is lonely and at the mercy of the society. If rich,servants become the predators,and if poor,then it is a pitiable condition,no one to look forward to. Soon going to be a senior citizen within few months,and surrounded by even elder neighbours,I can feel the necessity of safeguarding the golden period of our lives. Firstly,we must build/buy a small house as per our requirement,and not a mansion which can be a liability in our old age. Who are we tyrying to impress? Second,the govt should construct houses dedicated purely to the senior citizens,in a secure area. Such a housing society should have 24 hour security provision,as also a separate place for the domestic staff,within the complex,so that the servants do not have to stay in the house. There must be a chokidar system,and a beat constable,24/7, in the areas earmarked for old people. The complex should also cater for a medical room,with an ambulance and doctor. The authorities should coordinate with the NGOs/ volunteers who can visit the senior citizens on weekly basis. A record of this must be maintained.. In case,some tenants/PGs are staying with the old people,then these people have to be verified,and should become guardians of their land lords. The senior citizens association can monitor this,who should enlarge their scope by encompassing the welfare of maximum old people of the Tricity.

Col R D Singh (retd),AMBALA CANTT

Move with the times

The hotel or party organiser may have violated the law in which female bartenders were allowed to serve liquor,but this episode should highlight the antiquated laws which govern us. When women today are freely going to pubs and bars to consume liquor,why the restriction on their serving or selling alcohol. We call ourselves as a nation of equal opportunities. The legislators should suitably amend these old laws framed during colonial times. The Supreme Court has recently also set aside the ban on bar dancers in Mumbai.

Jatinder Singh,PANCHKULA

In the name of welfare

The potable water supply in Haryana is yet another example of the autocratic,fatal and divisive behavior of the state towards the consumer. It has given a fatal blow to the budget of the consumers who have been left no choice but to buy water from the state,to pay the bills at exorbitant rates,with a rider to have the working meter duly installed,failing which the rate is again multiplied. The beauty of the system is that while the previous system to charge according to the volumetric use of water has been practically scrapped,the government pats itself on the back for water conservation. On the other hand,the free water supply along with the installation of water tanks to the vote banks also speaks volumes of the discrimination towards the tax-payer. The rules,while prohibit the installation of electric pump,we can find it practically installed at every household of the officials of the the department who deal with the water supply. It seems that whatever has systematically been taken over by the state is causing havoc to its users,and that too in the name of public welfare state.

Jai Prakash Gupta (Dr),AMBALA CANTT

Poor traffic management

A lot of minor accidents are occurring on the Sector 43/44 crossing due to rash driving. All commuters seem to be in a great hurry to cross or overtake while negotiating this crossing,creating a dangerous situation. The small roundabout at the crossing is not fit to take the heavy traffic density for the whole day,especially during peak hours. I am of the opinion that this roundabout needs to be removed and traffic lights provided like Sectors 41-40 crossing for proper management. It is worth noting that all along V3 road – from Mohali to press chowk – traffic lights have been provided except this one. An early execution will ease the traffic movement at this junction.

Sateesh Dadwal,CHANDIGARH

Colleges need discipline

Appalling press pictures,showing leaflet liters,huge number of police flag marching and rowdy campaigning,which were published during student election in city colleges and university,is a sad aspersion on our current education system. The way things are moving,the time does not seem too far when during such elections one would see military tanks roaring in educational campuses to maintain discipline,which once was a well respected,by both student community and society at large,duty of teachers.

Balvinder,CHANDIGARH

Fight for equal rights

On September 5,the Haryana government nominated 30 MLAs/MPs who represent respective Assembly/Parliamentary constituencies as members of recently constituted seven new municipal corporations (MCs) in the state including Panchkula and Ambala. Prior to the constitution of the MCs in these cities/towns, municipal councils were existing here,which were being governed under provisions of Haryana Municipal Act. 1973. Now,after upgradation to level of MCs,the statute governing them would be Haryana Municipal Corporation Act,1994. Although the composition of both these municipal bodies is quite similar,but as far as voting rights enjoyed by the elected MPs/MLAs who represent such municipal area is concerned, there is an inconsistency between the two laws. Whereas the Municipal Act,1973 clearly prescribes that only nominated members/councillors would not be having voting rights,the Municipal Corporation Act,1994 debars such rights for elected MPs/MLAs too. Pertinent to mention here that even proviso to Article 243(2)(a) of our Constitution only debars voting rights for nominated members in the meetings of Municipalities. Although it is within the competence of state governments to grant or not grant such voting rights to MPs/MLAs by making due provisions in state municipal statute but there ought to be a consistency between the two above referred laws. Either both 1973 and 1994 Acts should provide for voting rights to MPs/MLAs or neither should have such provision. One wonders how this grave anomaly has till now not come to the notice of the authorities concerned. Is it an inadvertent omission or well-intended one ?

Hemant Kumar,AMBALA CITY

Backup plans needed

The City Beautiful,even though is known for its well-planned architecture and civic amenities,the residents of Chandigarh and Mohali had to suffer a major water crisis for near about 15 days. This,due to faults at the Kajauli Water Works,the life line of water supply to around 14 lakh people in both the areas. The authorities responsible for the maintenance of the pipelines tried to play it down by terming it a minor problem,whereas the issue certainly demands an immediate attention. The UT Administration and the department of Punjab water supply and sanitation are responsible for the maintenance of the pipelines. The Kajauli pumping station from where Chandigarh receives water is located in Punjab. The broken pipelines are being repaired under the supervision of the Punjab government and the municipal corporation only pays the annual bill for the work. The two pipelines broken in Mankheri village also come under Punjab territory. It is not out of place to mention here,why the officials concerned are not bothered to check leakages at other points to avoid any such problem in the future. Moreover,the present crises had exposed the functioning of the MC in the city,where there was no back up and no alternative was made available to the residents. There is no planning being done. The requirements have not been taken care. However,Chandigarh Administration should have water reserves ofat least 50 per cent of the total supply for immediate relief to the locals.

Puran Kant,CHANDIGARH