VOX @ Populi

Dr Shruti K Chawla,Chandigarh

Welcome MC’s move on housing societies

It is a welcome news that the General House of the Municipal Corporation has decided to send a resolution to the UT Administration to hand over housing societies to the MC,along with funds for proper maintenance and providing basic amenities within the premises of the societies. The Councillors took more than a decade to recognise that a substantial part of their voters reside in housing societies in Sectors 48,49,50 and 51. The official version that in view of certain provisions in the bye-laws for the societies,no maintenance or developmental work can be undertaken within the premises of the societies is discriminatory and untenable. Such provisions of the bye-laws must be revoked or suitably amended. The denial of providing and maintaining basic infrastructure such as roads and street lights on the basis of allotment of land at cheap rates or any clause of the bye-laws can never be justified. Moreover,residents of housing societies pay taxes like residents living in other sectors where roads and street lights are provided and maintained by the administration or the civic body. Then why this unfair treatment with the residents of housing societies?

S N Gaur,Chandigarh

Shortage of pharmacists at govt hospital

There is chronic and acute shortage of pharmacists and class III employees at Government Multi Specialty Hospital,Sector 16,Chandigarh,and its allied dispensaries. The authorities should make appointments so that work and patients do not suffer.

Vishal Vohra,CHANDIGARH

Justice can be delayed,but not denied

It was quite satisfying to note that the Punjab & Haryana High Court has sought the original copy of the inquiry report on Ruchika’s expulsion from Sacred Heart School (Chandigarh Newsline,May 4). It shows that due to loopholes in the legal and administrative system of the country,justice can be delayed,but not denied. Truth has to emerge sooner or later. In fact,in the most shamefully unfortunate Ruchika case,the school principal is equally guilty. She,for reasons best known to her,connived with the social monster,Rathore,to cause immense mental torture to Ruchika,which ultimately culminated in her suicide. As a matter of fact,this should not be called suicide. It was a cold blooded murder,in which Rathore,the police department,government and the principal of the ‘not so’ Sacred Heart School are equally responsible. Citizens can only hope that truth ultimately triumphs and the age old saying ‘might is right’ falls flat.

A K Sharma,CHANDIGARH

Facing difficulties in absence of garbage collectors

It was heartening to read the news report ‘Garbage collectors agree to end their four-day protest (Chandigarh Newsline,May 4). In the absence of garbage collectors for so many days,residents had been facing difficulty in disposing household garbage. The Municipal Corporation should accommodate these private sweepers by allowing them to continue with their job of collecting garbage from houses and pay them suitable wages. This will also spare the residents from paying Rs 40 per month to private sweepers who collect garbage. It is the duty of the MC to clear the household garbage from the city and dispose it responsibly.

R K Kapoor,Chandigarh

Honour City Beautiful’s sporting hero Jeev

Jeev Milkha Singh,who has constantly brought laurels to the City Beautiful in the field of sports at the international level,must be honoured by Chandigarh administrator Shivraj Patil (CNL April 29,2012 ‘Jeev makes a smart upward move in Seoul’) on Independence Day with the Chandigarh Gaurav Award. He should also be allotted a plot of land. Jeev Milkha Singh has won many international golf events.

Narinder Singh,Chandigarh

Install cameras at MC,not only in Mayor’s room

A recent proposal to bring only the Mayor’s room under e-surveillance puts a question mark on the functioning of the top brass officials. Mayor’s room is for common people to express their grievances with regard to the city and their wards. There is no doubt that installing CCTV cameras in the corporation premises is a welcome move,but it should be installed at the complete building to help keep a check on officials and absenteeism during public hours.

Sachin Sharma,Chandigarh

Wearing helmets not gender-based

After pedestrians,two-wheeler riders are the most vulnerable road users. The lack of dedication on the part of policy makers in India has kept the country’s road safety record dismal. Helmets are as important for pillion passengers as for riders. Hence,exempting women from wearing helmets exposes them to a greater risk of head injury. Wearing of helmets has nothing to do with gender,caste or creed of a person. Women must realise that such a measure is in their interest. After all,they are just as vulnerable as men in the event of an accident. It should not be viewed as an imposition,but as a safety measure. Wearing helmets reduces the number of fatalities in such accidents.

Vineet Kapoor,Panchkula