‘Jobs to MLAs’ sons’ is a bad precedent when millions of educated youths are struggling for jobs. If jobs are being given to MLAs’ sons as a token of gratitude and compensation for the sacrifices made by the first generation, then where was the government when so many Army jawans from Punjab were killed by terrorists in Pathankot and other parts of the country, and how many of their children got government jobs? The families of the MLAs can be compensated by giving them regular pension.

SUBER SINGH PARIHAR, Nadaun

Case of horse trading

Reference to ‘Jobs to MLAs’ sons’; the decision of the Punjab Cabinet to offer government jobs to sons of Congress MLAs is a clear case of favouritism and horse trading. Such controversial decisions fuelled by infighting within the ruling party have already caused a huge loss to the party's credibility. Its efforts to regain power in the coming Assembly elections will also suffer a setback. By offering jobs to the sons of already crorepati MLAs, the government has tarnished its image and credibility in public eyes. This decision is illogical, unethical and immoral. Sooner it is withdrawn, the better it would be for the government, the Congress and even the families concerned. These jobs should be offered to the deserving wards of poor families who have been struggling for long to get a government job.

NK Gosain, Bathinda

Making amends in J&K

Refer to ‘The J&K invite’; ever since the abrogation of Article 370 and other constitutional changes in 2019, there has been a democracy deficit in the region. Restoring democracy and bringing back Kashmiri political parties into the national mainstream is in the interest of India’s own domestic political stability. It also has international implications, and was perhaps a reason for the Centre's outreach. There is an indication of detente with Pakistan, where Islamabad appears to have toned down its rhetoric on the abrogation of Article 370. An engagement in Kashmir could lead to a degree of rapprochement with Pakistan. Creating a political buffer in J&K will also help at a time when the Taliban is heading back to power in Afghanistan. The Kashmiri political parties also need to show their sincerity in being an integral part of India by accepting the Centre's offer.

PS HANSPAUL, by mail

Top cops’ plight

Now, it’s the Haryana DGP seeking repatriation to his parent organisation. Earlier, we had former IGP, Punjab, and ex-DGP, Maharashtra, submitting their resignations. These are indicators that all is not well. If top cops are in turmoil, how will law and order be maintained? This scenario calls for bringing about improvement in the working of the police force. Public representatives must introspect and look into the matter seriously lest it goes from bad to worse, compelling the public to think about better alternatives.

RS Kishtwaria, Palampur

Expedite vaccination

This refers to ‘A dose of hope’. Looking at the magnitude of the task of vaccinating the whole population of the country, the pace of the ongoing vaccination drive is not adequate. Comparing it with the small population of a country like Switzerland is no solace. The government needs to use all its resources to raise the bar to the level of the polio drive, especially amid the possibility of a third wave. With this pace, it will take more than 200 days to vaccinate all its population which the country cannot afford. Also, there is a need to accelerate efforts on research and production of vaccines against new variants of the virus.

COL KULDIP S GREWAL (RETD), PATIALA

Vax transparency

Refer to ‘Prepare for 3rd wave, vaccinate on war footing: Rahul’; before criticising the government's vaccination policy, it is the moral duty of all top political leaders, including the Gandhi family, to come clean on their own vaccination so as to build confidence among the public and to give a boost to the vaccination drive so that the impact of the third wave is minimised. The track record of vaccination of Congress-ruled states is not up to the mark, which is a cause for concern.

Ashok Kumar, by mail

Adieu Milkha Singh

The passing away of Padma Shri Milkha Singh has saddened the nation (‘India pays tribute to Flying Sikh’). To him, the country came first. When asked what he expected as a reward for his performance, he humbly said, ‘Saare desh nu ik din di chhutti de deo’. The request was acceded to. He accepted only Re 1 for lending his story for ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’. His motto ‘passion with hard work’ has inspired many. Adieu Milkha Singh saheb.

Col Gurdeep Singh (Retd), Dharampur

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