Release and relief

Release and relief
The release of Sukma Collector Alex Paul Menon and BJD MLA Jina Hikaka earlier (Sukma Collector released; thanks mediators, govt, May 3) shows that the appeals made to Maoists from various corners had a positive effect on them. Although abductions are not exactly the way to press demands, the release of Mr Menon and Mr Hikaka is a matter of relief.

If the operation had been a cornerstone of the anti-naxal strategy, it would not have been given up so easily. The events of the last few weeks call into question the logic of the strategies worked out to tackle the naxals.

—Dayanand Bhat, via email
II
Sir,
The Chhattisgarh government must have heaved a sigh of relief with the release of abducted Sukma collector, Alex Paul Menon by Maoists (Sukma Collector released; thanks mediators, govt, May 3). It may just be a coincidence that a high power committee has been appointed by the state government to review cases pertaining to arrest of people in the Maoist affected areas. It is a fact that many people, innocent or otherwise, have been languishing behind the bars for many years without a fair and proper trial in the state. The Raman Singh government’s decision to form a panel, therefore, is very just and it may or may not be an The Maoists, by the look of things, are hell-bent to destroy the democratic and legal fabric of our society and imbibing this bitter truth will go a long way in fighting the Maoists. .

—Ganapathi Bhat, Akola

No developing here
This is with reference to ‘New law to fast track redevpt soon’ (May 5). Time and again there are excellent moves made by the government in determining rules to fix redevelopment projects but unfortunately it appears on paper only. The government has been accused of decision-making deficit while developers and tenants are crying themselves hoarse in order to obtain 58 approvals and NOC’s from regulatory authorities. It is little wonder then that housing projects have been stalled because of the red tapism and bureaucracy prevailing in the corridors of power. We, the tenants, have been in waiting for more than two years for redevelopment projects which have still remained elusive despite formalities being completed.

—Deepak Chikramane, Mumbai

No right about it
This refers to the front page report, ‘Top schools unwilling to admit poor kids’ (May 5).   The Right to Education Act (RTE) is a half-baked idea.  The government in a clever move has cast upon the private schools their responsibility to provide education for poor kids. It will certainly cause a rift in classrooms and will also affect the quality of education imparted to the students who pay for the education. The first issue is about the criteria of poor students. Are there enough teachers? Can the poor students afford the other expenses of books and stationery, and school picnics among others?  If these students cannot buy books and other related materials, then is there any point in reserving 25% seats for them? The enthusiasm and euphoria over the RTE Act seem to be misplaced if we analyse our enrolments in schools. A vast majority of children are enrolled in government schools in rural areas, as compared with private schools. Government employees and Defence personnel send their children to Kendriya Vidyalayas and military schools, than to private schools as the standard of education in these schools is much higher, and fees are much lower. The major issue is that the government compensation to private schools for reserving 25% is much lower than what they spend on providing infrastructure and other facilities.

—Deendayal M Lulla, via e-mail

Detention is necessary
This refers to the news ‘Why study when there is no detention policy’(May 4). This policy has shaken the education system as students are not mentally prepared to take exams and are not able to write long answers and essays as they are sure of going to the next standard irrespective of their performance. This has also dampened the spirit of students to work hard to compete and excel to remain at the top. In addition to this policy the government has proposed changes to the Juvenile Justice Act, which is being renamed as the Child Justice (Care, Protection and Rehabilitation) of Children Act which will prevent teachers from punishing the students and will attract jail terms and/or fine in case of meting out corporal punishment. This will further embolden the students and will make the task of teachers difficult in conducting classes and controlling unruly students.

—Vanita Shenoy, Mumbai

The dam issue
Apropos of the news report ‘Mullaperiyar is safe, says SC panel’ (DNA, May 5). Right from the beginning the Kerala government’s stand on Mullaperiyar issue was untenable as it had defied the earlier recommendations of the Supreme Court (SC) and the findings of several expert groups on dam safety. It was also clear that vested interests in Kerala were behind the agitation to scrap the old dam and build a new one. The vast areas of the reservoir land, reclaimed when the water level in the dam was lowered from 152 feet to the present 136 feet in 1979, have been encroached by the ‘land mafia’ to build resort houses and other facilities to attract tourists. This has been done in connivance with successive governments of Kerala. Hence their stubborn resistance to raise the water level in the dam as recommended by the Supreme Court in the past. They created the bogey of ‘dam burst’ only to divert attention from this encroachment as well as to get more land for the ‘land mafia’. Now that the SC appointed empowered committee has come out categorically on the safety of the dam and the permissibility of increasing the water level to 142 feet, the Kerala government should abandon all plans of building a new dam and bury the hatchet with the TN government.

—Vijay Mohan, Chennai