Oil truths

Politics at last

8226; You could say we are witnessing the maturing of Manmohan Singh into a diplomat and seasoned politician. From the chrysalis of a bureaucrat is slowly emerging the persona of a political leader who has the makings of an international statesman. His recent press conference cleverly mixed brevity with spicy innuendo. He took the high ground without getting drawn into the nitty gritty of explaining complicated equations, like when he said on the Iran matter that India will go by its 8216;8216;enlightened self-interest8217;8217;. Indeed, on this matter he has brought home to the Left parties the absurdity of their position in a situation where even Russia and China are willing to refer Iran to the Security Council.

8212; S. Kamat Goa

Now be careful

8226; The proposal to regularise the unauthorised construction not carried out on public land in Delhi, is unethical but practical. The truth is the MCD has not only failed to prevent it but actually abetted it. The government should declare encroachment on public land a criminal offence; compensate those whose properties could have been saved with timely action; dismiss officials during whose term such construction came up and impose exemplary penalties where illegal constructions are regularised.

8212; J.M. Manchanda New Delhi

The only way

8226; The Centre has said that minor buildings law violations in Delhi will be spared IE, February 7. In no case must any violation of the building laws be regularised by bringing an ordinance or law. Else, people shall be encouraged to violate such laws as they know they can get away with, without any major consequences. If people are allowed to pay a fine and make their unlawful actions lawful, it shall amount to paying a legal bribe to the government. An amendment in building laws, if any, must be made keeping in view public interest 8212; the sunlight, fresh air etc available to occupants of homes and offices. If an ordinance comes it should be applicable to all constructions from prospective dates only! Punishing law breakers by demolishing illegal structures is the only solution.

8212; Mahesh Kumar New Delhi

Habits die hard

8226; This refers to the demand to change the stiff modes of address in our courts. The Supreme Court of India has rightly made it clear that judges themselves have nothing to do with continuance of a system left behind by the British. The British initiated the system of 8216;My Lord8217; 8216;Your Lordship8217; and 8216;Your Honour8217;. Interestingly, the British themselves decided a few years ago to drop 8216;My Lord8217; from the language of the court. 8216;Respected Sir8217; or 8216;Sir8217; is considered more in tune with the times. In our case, however, the colonial habit dies hard.

8212; M.L. Garg Chandigarh