Opinion Based on hearsay
The Bill to amend the Representation of the People Act was introduced only on August 30.
* Kindly refer to the item (Driving force) in the column Inside Track of The Sunday Express dated October 6.
On Independence Day,Parliament was in session. The Bill to amend the Representation of the People Act was introduced only on August 30. Hence,there was no question of anyone giving any thought to an ordinance on August 15. The item is based,presumably,on hearsay. It has no basis whatsoever.
P. Chidambaram
Finance Minister,India
New Delhi
Ill prepared
* I agree with the editorial,Wheres the Centre (IE,October 8). The Union cabinets decision on Telangana was not only hasty but it also lacked proper planning. The fallout of the cabinets decision has been catastrophic. Parts of Andhra Pradesh stand plunged in darkness. The disruption of train and bus transport has seriously crippled everyday life. The threat of the shutdown of the southern grid is quite scary. I do not recall the situation ever having been so bleak. The birth of Telangana is the result of sheer politicking. Broader national interests have been sacrificed.
M. Prasad
Nidadavole
Letter and spirit
* This refers to Not just jobs (IE,October 10). The Supreme Courts directive that 3 per cent of all vacancies be reserved for the disabled is a welcome step. This is the right way forward to empower a large section of our citizens,who have been ignored by government policy and legislation. Our aim should be to make disabled people self-sufficient,which this reservation policy will help us achieve. However,the government must now ensure that the SCs directive is complied with in letter and spirit. No disabled quota jobs should go unfilled. The government must also be mindful of the fact that before being eligible for a job,a person must have a basic minimum level of education and training. Unless they ensure that the disabled have opportunities to acquire skills,reservation in jobs will be meaningless.
Sahil Garg
Sangrur
Expensive proof
* This refers to Deterrence unproved by Chinmaya R. Gharekhan (IE,October 9). I contend that there was no military flare-up on our western border between 1971 and 1999 because of relatively less belligerent regimes in Pakistan. I do not believe that this period is evidence of the fact that we do not need a nuclear deterrent. India cannot remain unaffected by the disturbed conditions in the rest of the world,and must prepare accordingly. Even if the writer believes that the deterrent value of nuclear weapons is unproved,too much lies in the balance for us to adopt a lax approach towards defence preparedness.
Tarsem Singh
Langeri
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