Direct ration

This refers to the editorial, 8216;Public distress system8217; and the report 8216;House panel finds over 50 leakage in PDS8217;.

8226; This refers to the editorial, 8216;Public distress system8217; and the report 8216;House panel finds over 50 leakage in PDS8217;. The leakage of food grains reported by the Lok Sabha Public Accounts Committee is an eye opener. However, almost all the social welfare schemes initiated by the government are suffering the same fate because of political and bureaucratic corruption. The greater the number of people involved in implementing a public welfare scheme the more the corruption.

The smart card concept announced by the Haryana government may not be workable. The best way to help the BPL families is to directly pay them a desired amount of money and to let them spend it on their own, without the involvement of a third party.

8212; H.S. Gur

Hisar

Thy hand, Speaker

8226; Your editorial 8216;Gag reflex8217; was well-timed and candid. The speaker of the Lok Sabha is a powerful person when it comes to conducting the business of the House. Yet, it makes one sad to watch him on TV, unaided and unable to control the errant members. His good intent is misconstrued as weakness. It wasn8217;t long ago that he cajoled and warned MPs only infrequently. Of late, this has become a regular feature. The exasperated speaker is now at his wit8217;s end as to how to make the House work efficiently and benefit the world8217;s largest democracy. It is high time he used all the weapons he has. MPs should be cautioned against leaving their seats and walking up to the well. House marshals should be summoned to throw out the insolent members. Members should remember that the speaker is not just a listener.

8212; C.S. Pathak

Pune

Silly point

8226; Kunal Pradhan has grievously erred in two respects 8220;How Bhajji lost the IPL8221;. First, in his reference to the attitude of the Indian public. And secondly, in his questioning of the support lent to Harbhajan Singh by Indian against the Australians. Two wrongs do not make a right, and there is a qualitative difference between verbal abuse and physical assault.

8212; Parimal Y. Mehta

Mumbai

Hockey dominion

8226; The dissolution of the Indian Hockey Federation was much awaited. With the induction of former players like Dhanraj Pillay and Aslam Sher Khan into the committee set up by the IOA, Indian Hockey can look forward to a new beginning. One can only hope that the national sport will get due consideration, as will the players. Perhaps Indian hockey will be dominant again in the near future.

8212; Aniket Singh

Mohali