The Hindu : A relief

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 12, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

A relief

Sir, — Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's reinstatement of 999 Government employees provides some relief to those who had been without a job since July 2003. I wonder why this did not strike three learned judges who had been entrusted with that task by the Supreme Court. Had they done it, it would have gone a long way in strengthening the confidence of the people that courts are the final bastion of democracy. Nobody can stomach the idea of overnight mass dismissal of employees, under a draconian ordinance, for going on strike to preserve their hard-won retiral benefits.

N.G.R. Prasad,
Chennai

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Sir, — That the 999 employees bore the trying period with fortitude and that they and their families survived all these months thanks to the help extended by fellow employees are facts that should not be overshadowed by such a decision flowing out of electoral calculations.

Devi Vijaya,
Tirunelveli, T.N.

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Sir, — The reinstatement of the sacked employees and the announcement of the much-awaited additional dearness allowance of three per cent is a double bonanza.

R. Krishnamoorthy,
Tuticorin, T.N.

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Sir, — It is no doubt a noble gesture but the timing of the reinstatement gives the impression that it is an election gimmick.

R.P. Durai Jasper,
Vellore, T.N.

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Sir, — The humanitarian and political considerations that led to this praiseworthy decision are understandable.

G.V. Murthy,
Hyderabad

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Sir, — The families of the reinstated employees will be the happiest. The Opposition parties should refrain from commenting on the issue.

T. Manoharan,
Kovilpatti, T.N.

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Sir, — It may be a gimmick, but as far as the employees are concerned it is a real boon.