This refers to the suspension of licences of some hospitals in the city following the arrest of a Chennai-based nephrologist for malpractices in kidney transplantation (The Hindu , October 17). This underlines the fact that there is no dearth of laws and only their implementation leaves much to be desired. Responsibility is scattered and the punishment for violation of norms is too mild to be a deterrent, as is the case with most of the legislations.

The enactment of the Transplantation of Human Organs (TOHO) Act has only made the commodity dearer and shot up its price. Regrettably, the poor “seller” (donor) gets only a paltry sum.

The “Kidney Bazaar” in Villivakkam, a northern suburb, has earned the dubious distinction of being called “Kidneyvakkam”!

Dr. T. Rama Prasad Dr. T. R. Rajeev Dr. G. Geeth Raj

Perundurai (Erode Dt.)

A citizen, if he attains the age of 60 years, is being declared senior citizen and is given concessions in railway and bus travels, and in all bank transactions. But the Income Tax Act grants a special relief only to the senior citizens who are 65 years and more. It is not fair and reasonable.

We request the Central Government and Income Tax authorities to put the age for senior citizens at 60 years and to amend the Income Tax Act for the purpose.

D. Dasaratharaman

President, Tamil Nadu Public Health Retired Officials Association, Choolaimedu.

The entire stretch of the railway footpath near the Loyalla College compound wall on the eastern side is highly filthy and unfit for use, as the urchins, particularly people sleeping on the platform, use the area as public toilet.

Commuters getting down on platform No. 4 have to cross this filthy area to reach the main road as there is no other way.

There is also no access or foot overbridge to reach platform Nos. 1 and 2 except to cross the railway line.

Will the railway authorities look into it and do the needful?

E. S. Prakesh

Adambakkam.

This refers to the woes of depositors of R.B.F. Nidhi, Chennai, who have not received the returns of preferential amount deposited by them. It should be noted that the firm defaulted in 1999 and it is now more than eight years since it was closed. But we are yet to get back the amount deposited by us. They have released so far 25 per cent payment in terms of instalments at five per cent.

The first two payments were made in 2000, the third payment in 2001, the forth one after a period of three years and 8 months and the fifth one in 2006.

A majority of depositors have invested their hard-earned cash in this firm, lured by the offer of lucrative interest rates.

The depositors are mostly senior citizens, aged pensioners and retired officials.

The depositors may please be informed in the news media by the economic offence wing about the action taken by the officials and about when they would get the entire balance amount due to them.

A.S. Chandran

Alwarpet

The lawyers’ agitation, which has followed a clash between a few advocates and hospital staff attached to Stanley Medical College, should really be treated as an eye-opener on several unattended issues.

It is public knowledge that thousands of citizens visit government hospitals every day in the State and many of them complain about the lack of sensitivity on the part of the hospital staff towards the suffering patients.

If lawyers were treated shabbily by the hospital staff, the plight of ordinary citizens need not be explained.

I am not suggesting that on this issue, the lawyers should agitate and bring the court to a grinding halt.

But the Government should realise that some deep thinking is required about the administration of hospitals which cater to the needs of millions of citizens, particularly belonging to the lower middle class and the poor class.

In the earlier days, most of the hospitals were run by charitable institutions and medical care was treated as service. Even in government hospitals nurses were service-minded. I trust that even now the nurses, who work in various hospitals, are doing great service. However, because of the complicated procedures in getting a patient admitted in a government hospital, the staff seem to be insensitive to the sufferings of the patients.

The government and the hospital administration should make the procedures simple and first try to solve the problem of the patient before getting details filled in forms, etc. In fact, complicated procedures and lack of sensitivity have practically discouraged several sections of public from approaching government hospitals though the facilities offered by them are really world-class.

G. Rajagopalan

Abiramapuram

Chitalapakkam, with a population of more than 50, 000 people, lies between Chrompet and Tambaram. But it is not connected with either Tambaram or Chennai city by proper public transport system.

For more than two decades, only one service (52 D) is operating from Chitalapakkam to the High Court and that too, two or three trips per day. This bus runs via the MIT road overbridge and the people of this area are denied transport facility to reach Tambaram Sanatorium or the Tambaram railway station.

In spite of so many requests to successive governments, new bus route to connect Koyembedu, T.Nagar, Tambaram etc. from Chitalapakkam directly still remains a dream.

May I request the MTC authorities to kindly introduce a new route from Chitalapakkam.

L. Sundararaman

Chitlapakkam

Parking fees are collected for two-wheelers and cycles at parking lots at railway stations and bus stands. But at some places there is no shelter for parking vehicles For instance, vast space has been allotted for parking two -wheelers and cycles at the C.M.B.T. bus stand, Koyambedu, without any shelter. Vehicles parked in the space are exposed to rain and shine.

When the vehicles are parked in the hot sun, there is every chance of petrol evaporating owing to heat.

Will the authorities look into this problem and provide complete shelters at parking places.

B. Gokhale

Ashok Nagar

The decision of the Government to write off loans amounting to around Rs. 787.42 crore, owed by Corporations and Municipalities, is welcome.

But, town panchayats also starve for funds to provide underground drainage, additional water storage capacity, additional streetlights, better roads and development of parks. Hence, the Government should also write off loans owed by town panchayats.

P. Viswanathan

Chitlapakkam

This refers to the news item, “Works above board here, Information Board on road laying installed” (The Hindu , October 18).

Our Chromepet New Colony Residents Welfare Society members are happy not only to see such information board but also appreciate the initiative taken by the lone CPM councillor of Pallavapuram Municipality. As very rightly pointed out by the report, if there is transparency in awarding contract work and specifications of work, estimated cost etc are made known to the public, there definitely will be less corruption. Quality of the road also will be good and lasting. There will not be any need to invoke the RTI Act. Probably, this is the first time an elected member has done this. Kudos to the CPM councillor. Will the Minister for Local Administration issue an order instructing all the local bodies to install information board with regard to the road work at the site?

V. Santhanam President

Chromepet New Colony Residents Welfare Society

Over-speeding and reckless driving are the causes of many road accidents in city. To check this trend, speed-limit signs must be provided in all accident prone areas. The mobile traffic police and ambulances must become more proactive.

Violators of traffic rules must be punished severely.

Early action by the traffic authorities will be welcomed by all.

P.V. Srinivasan,

Sastri Nagar

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