Fill judicial posts on priority

Refer to ‘Iron out flaws in new criminal laws’; it is true that the newly enacted criminal laws have brought revolutionary changes in penal and procedural provisions envisaging speedy justice, but they need to be implemented in letter and spirit. The major roadblock in the expeditious disposal of the staggering number of court cases is the huge number of vacant posts of judges. More often than not, the government keeps dragging its feet on notifying the appointment of judges despite recommendations and reiterations. The same is true of the judicial staff. Unless the executive addresses this malady on priority, we can’t see a silver lining to the dark clouds.

MD Sharma, Shimla

Check road construction in hills

Apropos of “Debunking the myth of a ‘natural disaster’ in HP”; one of the main reasons for the devastation caused by rains is the indiscriminate cutting of fragile hills. It is done primarily for road construction and building multi-storeyed houses that blocks the natural drainage of water downhill. When the rivulets join to become a river, wherever there is an obstruction, the fury consumes everything on its way. To check this dance of destruction, a beginning has to be made from the hills only. Carving out of too many roads and the relentless construction of houses will have to be stopped. There is a nexus between politicians, PWD officials and contractors. So, this lucrative business of playing with the topography continues unabated.

Ashok Bahl, Kangra

Man-made disasters everywhere

Refer to “Debunking the myth of a ‘natural’ disaster in HP”; rain-induced disasters have become a frequent reality not only in Himachal Pradesh but in other states as well. Natural disasters, if these are really natural calamities, are beyond the control of human beings. But nowadays, flooding owing to just a few hours of rain and the subsequent floods are mostly man-made. Haphazard mushrooming of buildings on the banks of rivers, choking of drains, commercial constructions on the roadside and poor execution of building bylaws are the main causes of this menace.

Vinay Kumar Malhotra, Ambala Cantt

Documentary evidence needed

Refer to ‘Bihar electoral rolls’; if the Election Commission’s intention is to remove names of voters appearing in more than one constituency or those who are deceased, it is commendable. However, mandating people to provide birth details to prove Indian citizenship simply because their names didn’t figure in the 2003 electoral rolls raises suspicion of mala fide intentions. Poor, uneducated, migrant labourers and senior citizens may lack documentary evidence of their birthplace. Declaring them “ineligible” to vote would deprive them of their citizenship rights after living in this country for decades.

SS Paul, Nadia

US business interests in W Asia

Apropos of ‘US-Israeli strikes leave Iran at a nuclear crossroads’; when the US invaded Iraq in 2003, it took a gamble hoping to eliminate the threat posed by Saddam Hussein. However, American goals entailed more than this — the US wanted to ensure that oil prices remained stable. Perhaps, the US estimated that if a major threat was removed to its east i.e. Iraq, Israel might feel more comfortable in negotiating with Palestine in its west. Until the Gaza crisis is resolved, it seems hard to erase many of the tensions that affect the region. With Israel pursuing an embargo to restrict all kinds of external assistance and continuing with its military strikes, the US is hoping to sustain responsive governments which cater to its interests.

Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh

Pharma units in HP at risk

The recent fire that broke out in a Telangana pharma unit is a wake-up call for manufacturing units in north India as well which operate without adequate fire safety norms. Himachal Pradesh has about 555 pharma manufacturing units where inspections are done for product quality but very rarely to check the working conditions. Very few units comply with the requisite safety standards. Old and outdated machinery is still in use with zero maintenance; this can cause fires any time due to a fault in the electric circuits. Old and rusted boilers have caused blasts in the past, resulting in the loss of lives and property.

Yash Khetarpal, Panchkula

Letters to the Editor