The Central and state governments must improve the quality of grass-root governance for better delivery of essential services and supplies to the deprived. The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Opinions 16 June 2013 06:03 The Central and state governments must improve the quality of grass-root governance for better delivery of essential services and supplies to the deprived. They should ensure economic and social justice to the tribals by the effective implementation of laws meant to protect their interests. Much more needs to be done to improve the physical security of police stations in the affected areas, besides equipment and training of the staff posted there. All states should constitute a special force on the “Greyhound” model of Andhra Pradesh and strengthen the intelligence network to collect intelligence about their movements and activities in the interior areas. Only then will the police and the paramilitary forces be able to confront the better armed and trained Maoist cadres. The writer is a former Governor of Jharkhand and Special Secretary Internal Security, Ministry of Home Affairs Inserted from Shun politics over food Bill ordinance The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Letters to the Editor 17 June 2013 06:48 Shun politics over food Bill ordinance This refers to the news report ‘Govt defers food Bill ordinance’ (14 June). It is a sensible step on the part of the UPA government to defer food Bill ordinance. Ordinances are like dictates which must not be forced on people without being discussed with the public. In a democratic set-up, the political party in power must not slap any Bill on the nation without a proper debate. Also, the government must not play politics over or use this Bill to muster vote-banks. It would be foolish if the UPA government nurtures a feeling that by bringing this Bill it will earn the support of the poor and win the 2014 general elections. On the other hand, the UPA’s major allies are opposing this Bill. The Bill proposes to give 67 per cent of the population foodgrains at subsidised rates through ration shops. We know very well that these ration shops are dens of corruption and black marketing. The UPA government must not put the cart before the horse. It must make a new foolproof system to reach foodgrains to the poor. The Bill will be of no use as the poor are sure to get rotten grains. Moreover, there is no guarantee that the UPA government will get the opposition parties’ support. Why does not the government think of giving money to the poor to buy themselves foodgrains as is being done under the direct benefit transfer scheme? Besides, can the govInserted from ernment arrange quality foodgrains at cheaper rates for a whooping 67 per cent of the population? Keeping in view the corrupt public distribution system, the poor will get little benefit. CAPT AMAR JEET KUMAR (RETD), Mohali
Posted on: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:30:25 +0000
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