• On the HRD Ministrys decision to de-recognise 44 out of 130 universities enjoying deemed status,you have rightly commented in your editorial that,looking forward,the immediate concern is about the estimated two lakh students who will be affected. The decision has created a sense of uncertainty and worry for them and their parents. Although the government has instructed that the institutions should revert to their earlier university affiliation so that students can continue on to get their degrees,yet it must take further care to ensure that the interests of students and their future are not adversely affected. The present decision should begin the cleansing of the system,and those responsible for irregularities should be brought to book. While the present governments initiative to ensure the quality of higher education is laudable,students future cannot be compromised.
Dilbag Rai
• HRD Minister Kapil Sibal deserves kudos for having taken this long-overdue and bold decision. His predecessor,Arjun Singh,went ahead with according approval to 27 such out of 44 blacklisted universities. Not only this,but 20 such institutes were reportedly brought into this category in 2008-09 alone. This calls for a thorough probe. What were the compelling circumstances which made him go all-out for according them Deemed status even when many werent eligible? Its now necessary to frame adequate and transparent rules and regulations for higher education,especially for professional courses; students must not suffer at a later date.
S.K. Gupta
Chandigarh
Price whys
• Reports of Sharad Pawars irresponsible statement predicting a rise in milk prices in North India put a big question-mark on the wisdom of the Union cabinet minister. These words,from an authority,will quicken the process of probable price-rise for not only milk but also for milk-origin products like ghee and butter. Suppliers and stockists will now immediately choose to raise prices without waiting for any natural price-rise. Sharad Pawar his given an open invitation to vested interests to put the people of north India through further trouble.
Subhash C. Agrawal
Time to rethink
• Shibu Sorens stalling anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand may anguish most of us but would surprise few. He is one politician for whom petty political interest is above everything,including national security. He should remember Naxal terror is not a problem for Jharkhand alone. A large number of paramilitary forces are fighting Naxalites in many states. One CM should not take action in isolation to stop operations. While the Centre should examine the possibility for legal provisions that could check such arbitrary moves by the states in the countrys fight against terror,the BJP,too,must rethink its alliance with Shibu Soren.
M.C. Joshi
