Vox @ Populi

Troubled times
This refer to a report “MHA audit finds penalty clause missing from agreements,slams UT” (Newsline,October 19). The UT Administration is shocked that most of the mega projects it had initiated have created controversies. The UT officials have got embroiled in a major controversy over the contentious multi-billion rupee land deals. At one hand,the Central Vigilance Commission has recommended a CBI probe into these mega projects,and on the other,the MHA audit report has highlighted gross anomalies in the procedure followed. Then there is the open fight between the Administrator and his Adviser,which has crossed all limits. The Centre should take immediate steps to restore normalcy so that development work in the city does not suffer.

M L Garg
Chandigarh

Chandigarh’s black phase
End of tenure of a government or post provides an opportunity to assess its performance,as were are doing in case of the UT Administrator,whose tenure ends next month. The Administrator has done so much for the down-trodden,the mentally retarded and street children. During his tenure,Chandigarh has done tremendous progress,part of which was natural,but some has been due to his ideas. But the fight with his Adviser,who was never allowed to advise,will be known as a black phase in the history of the city beautiful.

Due to this ego tussle,all decisions,projects,designs and building plans were put under scanner and passed after harassment to owners. Calling names in an interview has further spoilt the image of all those concerned. Someone rightly said,in the fight of elephants,bushes are crushed the most.

These appointees will come and go,but common residents will suffer the most due to the lack of democratic forces,transparency and responsiveness in the deliverance of services.

R K Garg
Chandigarh

Why burden the High Court?
After marrying against the wishes of their parents,a large number of newlyweds are seen in the corridors of the Punjab and Haryana High Court,where they come to seek protection against possible threats from their families.

As there have been a number of cases of honour killings in Haryana,the HC takes up the matter and directs the police to provide protection to such couples. But why should the precious time of the High Court,already reeling under over three lakh pending cases,be wasted in passing such orders,when the district authorities can be delegated to provide adequate security cover to such couples?

If the District Magistrate can be the District Marriage Officer,why can’t he be empowered to pass directions for the safety of married couples? If not the executive,the District and Sessions Judge or his nominee can be empowered to pass such orders. Earlier,in the Lata Singh case (2006),the Supreme Court had directed all administrative and police authorities throughout the country to take suitable steps for the well-being of married couples. Instead of hearing such cases,the HC can assume a supervisory role to monitor the implementation of such directions.

Hemant Kumar
Ambala

Where is the ‘challan police’?
This refers to a report “Cops struggle with new radars,speed rules city roads” (Newsline,October 24). These days,cases of over-speeding,not wearing helmets and use of mobile phones while driving are very common in the city.

Earlier,the Chandigarh Police was known as the ‘challan police’ as they were prompt in issuing challans and didn’t tolerate even the smallest traffic violation. But the declining number of challans in the midst of rising traffic violations is a matter of concern.

The police should consider installing CCTV cameras on important traffic intersections. Further,the places earmarked for nakas should be changed frequently,as habitual violators avoid the routes with nakas and are never caught.But the traffic police should be appreciated for ensuring the functioning of all traffic signals,and involving citizens for better traffic management.

S K Gupta
Chandigarh

Raising the bar won’t help
This refers to the Human Resource Development Ministry’s proposal to raise the bar for those taking the IIT entrance exam. I have all appreciation for Mr Kapil Sibal as a bright legal luminary,but if a boatman starts giving advice to a pilot,will he fly better?

I doubt if he has ever assessed the complexity of his suggestion to raise eligibility from 60 per cent in Class XII to 80 or 85 per cent.

His assertion that the move aims to tame the mushrooming coaching centres is self-contradictory. In fact,these coaching shops will be all the more pleased with the decision,as students will be under extra burden to score 80-85 per cent in their Boards. Won’t this lead to more stress,about which Mr Sibal was very upset sometime back,when he was contemplating to abolish the Class X examination?

As a teacher I believe the overall merit for selection to IITs must be determined by a student’s performance in both the Class XII Board examination and the entrance examination.

Dr I M Joshi
Chandigarh