Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Readers' Mail

BSNL phone

at bus bay

Sir_ Kankipadu is an important junction for those intending to go to Vijayawada or Machilipatnam. A large number of buses ply on the route and halt at the Kankipadu bus station for a while. But unfortunately there is no `one rupee coin' telephone booth at the Kankipadu bus station.

It would be of immense use to a large number of poor and middle-class people if the BSNL authorities install it. I request the officials to look into the issue and do the needful.

L.V.S. Kameswara Rao,
Vijayawada.

Will SCR respond?

Sir_ Recently, the South Central Railways (SCR) has introduced "queue-less reservation" system at the Vijayawada Railway Station. The public are given a token number on the reservation slip and have to wait for their turn at the reservation counter. However, ticket cancellations are also dealt with in the same way and due to this the public are put to severe hardships. Recently I had gone to the reservation counter at around 5.20 p.m on October 28 for cancellation of a ticket. But by the time my turn came it was 6.15 p.m. I feel that the railway authorities should set up a separate counter for ticket cancellations so that the inconvenience to the public is avoided.

S. Pedda Reddy,
Vijayawada.

Bank employees

seek bonus

Sir_ It is heartening to hear that the railway employees are going to be paid 59 days wages as bonus. Similarly, many including State Governments are paying their employees bonus benefits.

However, though the banks are earning crores of rupees, no such benefits are being extended to the employees. For instance, the SBI had earned a profit of over 3,000 crores as on March 2004. But the management had not shown any inclination to declare bonus for the employees who have contributed for the bank's profit.

Employees of SBI,
Vijayawada zone.

Shortage of

coins

Sir_ There is a heavy shortage of coins of small denominations in major cities which is causing lot of hardships to the general public. For instance the price of petrol is Rs. 40.89 (Kolkata), Rs. 37.84 (Delhi) and similar rates at other places. At present coins below 25 paise denomination are not available in the market. Most of the dealers are rounding of the bill to the nearest figure. I request the Government to fix the price of such commodities only by taking the advice of the mint on the availability of the small coins so as to make way for free transactions.

B.V. Subrahmanya Sastry
Bapatla, Guntur.

AIDS awareness

in schools

Sir_ During the previous academic years, the State Government had conducted "AIDS Awareness Programme" at high schools. But this year no such step seemed to have been initiated by the Government. However, in view of the importance of the subject an attempt had been made by including the subject in the Class X curriculum. But this alone will not be able to create awareness on the issue among the future generation. It is high time the Government resumed counselling classes at the high schools.

Pr. Karmegam,
Khammam.

Make physical

education must

Sir_ It is a well-known fact that there is an alarming increase in the number of diabetic patients around the world. Lack of exercises and sedentary lifestyle is said to be the prime contributory factors for the disease. In the earlier days, physical education was an important curriculum in schools and colleges. However, not much emphasis is being laid on it these days in the educational institutions though it is shown as part of the time-table. In most of the educational institutions, the post of physical education teachers are lying vacant.

I suggest that the Government issue an order to make physical education mandatory for the students.

I.Subash Samuel,
Ulavapadu, Prakasam.

Enforce ban

on smoking

Sir_ It is gratifying to note that the Government is at least now creating awareness on the ill-effects of smoking. Despite research suggesting a decade ago that smoking affects the lungs and heart, the Government took its own time to impose ban on smoking in public places. The Government should take stern action against those found guilty. Fresh licenses should not be issued to the factories which undertake cigarette manufacturing. Everyone should recognise the fact that the issue of smoking is not related to an individual, but it gives rise to air pollution and affects the health of a large number of people.

R.C.S.Sarma,

Khammam.

Upgrade cellphone

services

Sir_ Though, the mobile phones are of great use to the subscribers, they are unable to access the three-digit numbers of the police, fire services and railway enquiry. This facility should be provided on the cellular phones as it would be very useful, particularly in the event of an accident or extra-ordinary circumstances. One can save time besides precious loss of lives and properties.

If the cell operators are really interested in public welfare, they should immediately provide this service and if necessary, I request the Government to intervene and do the needful.

H.Kalyan Rao,

Guntur.

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