The Hindu : New Delhi News : Hello, Prime Minister…

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Monday, Dec 29, 2008
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New Delhi

Hello, Prime Minister…

My father, Ananta Kumar Bhattacharya, was Reader-English at Baba Bhim Rao Ambedkar University in Bihar. In 1979, the Principal of Chapra Rajendra College, Binoy Kumar Sinha, told my father to take retirement immediately. This was wholly unjustified because my father had four more years of his service period left. He lodged a case against the college authorities.

He got an injunction order from the court and was supposed to re-join the college. However, suddenly on November 13, 1980, he passed away. I and my siblings were minors then. We approached the university authorities for withdrawal of my father’s Provident Fund and pension amount.

Instead of helping us receive what was justly ours, the college authorities asked us to withdraw the case against them, without which, they threatened, they would not give us the PF and pension dues. Intimidated thus, we had to withdraw the case.

Even the University has let us down and not given us the exact amount due. This, we believe, is because the college has deliberately expunged my father’s service record.

Also, the college was supposed to give a job to one member of the family on compassionate grounds. But even 20 years after my father’s death, we have not got any.

This is but one example of the malady that plagues colleges and universities in Bihar. Many college authorities are involved in misappropriation of government funds. I request the Prime Minister to order a CBI enquiry into our case so that the truth comes out. Meenakshi Bhattacharya,

314, West Shantinagar, P.O. Anandnagar, P.S. Bally, Howrah – 711 127.

Information, please

The Chief Information Commissioner in his final verdict dated December 18 on appeal No. CIC/WB/A/2008/00956 on the matter of “file notings” directed the Central Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) to correct its website within seven days – by December 25, that is -- by removing the phrase that file notings are not information as defined under Section 2(f) of the Right to Information Act. But DoPT as per its earlier practice has ignored the CIC verdict this time also. It may be noted that the Central Information Commission has given repeated verdicts on “file notings” over the past two years beginning January 29, 2007.

The Central Information Commission should now initiate penal proceedings against the DoPT authorities for wilfully disobeying the CIC verdicts, apart from taking all other measures that would compel DoPT to comply with CIC orders on the long-pending matter of file notings. It is ironic that DoPT itself, the nodal government functionary handling the RTI Act, does not honour CIC verdicts.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal,

1775, Kucha Lattushah, Dariba, Chandni Chowk, Delhi – 110 006.

A melodious year

The year 2008 has had some golden moments for Bollywood music. Our composers as well as singers gave us some very enchanting melodies.

The names of singers that come to mind instantly are Shreya Ghoshal, Benny Dayal, Mohit Chauhan and Vishal Dadlani. Among the composers, it was a great year for A. R. Rahman, Pritam, Shankar Ehsaan Loy and Vishal Shekhar. And “Lucky Boy” composers Vishal & Shekhar again have tough competition from none other than Rahman, for be it “Kabhi Kabhi Aditi….”, “Pappu can’t dance….” or the songs of ‘Yuvraaj’ and ‘Ghajini’, Rahman completely stole the limelight from the beginning of the year.

Rahman must be all set to sweep all the cine awards for music this year. His music actually helped cheer us up in a year which otherwise would be remembered for great losses, meltdown, recession, terror attacks and political chaos.

Manoj R. Kumar,

A 3/79, First Floor, Janakpuri, New Delhi – 110 058.

Security concerns

The recent terror attack in Mumbai has brought security concerns to the forefront once again. As the fear of an attack through the aerial route looms large, steps need to be taken urgently to step up security at our airports and aboard flights.

I want to bring to the notice of all the airlines which serve food with metal/stainless steel cutlery that metallic knives/forks/spoons can be used against passengers by terrorists. The airlines should provide disposable plastic cutlery to avoid the misuse of metal cutlery.

Aditya Ghildyal,

House No. 1612, Brahamaputtra Apartments, Sector 29, Noida.

Save water

A huge quantity of water is going waste in my locality every day because of the irresponsible and apathetic attitude of the Delhi Jal Board. I complained about this on December 9 and got reference number 1186. No action has been taken despite reminders. When I spoke to the Junior Engineer of the area, Arun Kumar, he said, “Do not interfere in my personal life, I am at home.”

While on the one hand the Government is campaigning to save every drop of water, thousands of litres go down the drain. It is a matter of shame for the Jal Board and its staff.

Rajesh Tiwari,

E-8/401, Near Golden Star School, Nehru Vihar, Delhi – 110 094.

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