Vox Populi

*R K KAPOOR,CHANDIGARH

Corrupt Congress

Though the exposure of the booth scam in Chandigarh,involving Union Minister Pawan Bansal and other Congress leaders is shameful,it is not at all surprising. After all,they are simply following Congress’ grand tradition of corruption. In other words,it is their own way of showing solidarity with their national leaders,who are involved in much bigger scams at the national level. It is high time that AICC should renamed as All India Corrupt Congress. But all said and done,the booth scam should be thoroughly investigated and all culprits should get examplery punishment. In the end,ADC P S Shergil deserves full appreciation for his bold report. May God bless us with more honest officers like Shergill.

*A K SHARMA,CHANDIGARH

Biggest scam faced by city

Dinesh Kumar Sood,a whistleblower of the booth allotment scam had met the UT Administrator on April 5,2010 and requested for justice,as unauthorised and illigible persons had been alloted booths in Sector 41. The inquiry officer,P S Shergill,had a clean image. It is most unfortunate that he was transferred to his parent state when he was still investigating the case. This is so far the biggest scam that Chandigarh has faced and should investigated by the CBI. Till then,all responsible persons named in the scam should kept outside the system.

*R K GARG ,CHANDIGARH

A little help,please

This morning,when I arrived at the Chandigarh railway station from Delhi,a rickshawpuller charged an exorbitant amount from me. The tourist police were also of no help. However,I was cordially welcomed Nek Chand — the creator of Rock Garden — when I went to see him. At Leisure Valley in Sector 10,there was a counter of Chandigarh Tourism. But no officials were found to be manning the counter. Moreover,no brochure on tourist spots is available in German. I wanted to stay in the city,but hotels are too expensive. The Chandigarh Administration should set up a hotel for budget tourists.

SABELO JEEBE,GERMANY

Final call on excise policy

Before finalising the excise policy,the Chandigarh Administration should very carefully consider the number and location of liquor shops in the city. It should make sure that this revenue generating business does not lead to public nuisance. No liquor shops should be opened at a distance of about 50-100 m from a place of worship,educational institution,busy markets and place of public entertainment. Liquor shops must also not be opened in an area where there is not enough parking space. There are already more liquor vends than government schools in Chandigarh.

DR SHRUTI K CHAWLA,CHANDIGARH

Watch out for toll agencies

Of late,a large number of toll bridges have come up across the country. One such toll collection centre is based at Kurali near Ropar in Punjab. Ironically,the road conditions there are really deplorable and vehicles have to pass through damaged pathways. One wonders whether these toll bridges are meant merely to collect money for an indefinite period without caring for quality. It is time that the government keeps a watchful eye on their operations. It must be ensured that erring toll collecting agencies should be taken to task for not honouring their contractual obligations.

*S K GUPTA,CHANDIGARH

Garbage all around

The reported move of initiating to feed input regarding cleanliness and unauthorised possession on municipal corporation (MC) land reserved for parks on the basis of religion,has encouraged us to attract your attention on the heap of garbage lying on the inner roads of the sectors. This heritage city,known for his architectural,cleaniness and beauty,is loosing its charm. It is not that there is lack of infrastructure or scarcity of funds,but the lack of supervision and the attitude of MC employees makes all the difference. Let us take the example of Sector 18 — there is heap of garbage lying in the inner side roads of the sector. Sweepers collect the garbage but it takes them a month to put it in a tractor-trolley so that it can reach its proper destination. In between,mosquitoes start breeding and the garbage emits foul smell. People involved in construction work also keep the waste in the open. This creates hurdles for the residents. In this sector,land for the park has been encroached in the name of religion. MC officials are requested to intervene into the matter.

*RESIDENTS OF SECTOR 18

CHANDIGARH