Letters to the Editor: Zero-tolerance to corruption

From the media reports it has been found that the Government of Assam is committed to eradicate corruption by adopting zero tolerance for corruption in all public-related works. We, the lesser mortals are overwhelmed at this attitude of the government as the general public has been harassed in almost all official works. In this course of action by the government, enquiry commissions have been constituted to enquire into many scams (job and money laundering related) and many officials were caught red-handed while taking bribes by the enforcement directorate. We praise the government for all these bold steps taken in this regard.

However, general public are in the dark about the end result of any enquiry commission or fact-finding committee constituted on those occasions. A simple example of this is the case of big APSC scam (cash-for-job) involving Rakesh Paul. Except a few arrests of some employees and officials related to the scam, no other information has been made public. Even, it has been heard that those who managed to get their jobs by giving bribes are still in service. There had been past instances where suspension became a boon for the employee as the employee concerned gets the job back along with full benefits after staying at home for 2-3 years.

The Government of Assam has opened up some web portals in connection with different plans and schemes offered by the government for the benefit of the people. These are also informed through print media almost regularly in different newspapers. The general public will be highly pleased if the government opens up a web portal for corruption-related cases, also publishing the names of corrupt officials along with reports of the commission/committee constituted on those occasions. It is also advisable to encourage anybody detecting/ informing corruption-related cases by suitably rewarding them.

Dr PC Sarmah

Jorhat

Oh, Bihataliputra!

In ancient India, today's Bihar was known as Magadh, a very powerful empire. Pataliputra, now known as Patna, was the capital of Magadh, an epicentre of education, culture and power. Students from our neighbouring nations like China visited Pataliputra for higher education. Hiuen Tsang was one of them who highly praised Pataliputra in his tour diary

Now let us have look at present day's Bihar, a state which once produced some greats like Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India and Late Jay Prakash Narayan, the architect of the anti-Emergency revolution across the nation, has become the epicentre of political bankruptcy under M/s Lalu Yadav and Co and Nitish Kumar,the 8-time CM of Bihar, also known as 'Babu'. The political decency, ethics have touched the nadir under the duo. Now let us hope and pray that Bihar once again does not go back to those bygone years of Jungle Raj where Bihar was the safe haven for all dreaded criminals.

Come 2024, new dawn will once again emerge and we earnestly hope that Bihar will be once again Magadh of yesteryears.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

APSC chairman

The Government of Assam has appointed IAS (promoted) Bharat Bhushan Deva Choudhury of Patacharkuchi in Bajali district as the chairman of the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC). The appointment of an efficient and honest officer as the chairman of the APSC has delighted the common people, including the educated unemployed, in the State.Well-known quiz master Deva Choudhury also served as the Chief Controller of examinations of the APSC at one time. He was able to change the environment of the Commission within a very short period of time. Unfortunately, he did not serve in the post for long. However, the appointment of a qualified and visionary officer who has no allegations of corruption from the post of Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) of the district administration to the post of Secondary Education Secretary to the Government of Assam, has made the educated unemployed and intellectuals hopeful.

Towards the end, I humbly request you to ensure that the examinations to be conducted by the Commission in the coming days under your chairmanship are successfully conducted and that the results of the examinations are published in a timely manner.As a citizen of the state, I hope you will give a unique grade to the Assam Public Service Commission.

Heramba Nath,

Kamrup

Blot on Gauhati University

The suspension of the Controller of Examination, Gauhati University, Dr Dhrubajyoti Choudhury on the ground of anomalies, corruption and delay in announcing this year's undergraduate examinations is much appreciated. The post of Controller of Examinations is a vital post which is directly related with the future of thousands of students. Any delay in declaring the results will have significant impact on the career of the students as many students could not take admissions in other universities as they have been asked to submit their final semester or overall marks statements on particular dates. In the recent past there was huge uproar in the state when many applicants were caught with fake mark sheets and pass certificates during the interview for the police recruitment entrance. A proper and through investigation might unearth Dr Dhrubajyoti Choudhury's role in this racket.

Through your esteemed daily, I request Assam's Education Minister, Ranoj Pegu, and the VC of Gauhati University, Pratap Jyoti Handique to have a threadbare investigation into Dr Choudhury's tenure as Controller of Examination as it might reveal many skeletons in the cupboard.

Dhiman Senchowa,

Bihpuria, North Lakhimpur.

Cure found for cancer?

The other day I was watching an interview of Sanjay Dutt where he was talking about his battle with cancer and how he fought the deadly disease with his iron-clad determination. In the interview he claims that the pharma companies have a cure for cancer but they do not divulge any information regarding this as they are earning unimaginable money out of it. If this be true, then this will be the biggest crime against humanity. An actor of his stature would not claim something like that on a public platform without any knowledge. He is a cancer survivor and he has seen the hush-hush areas of this world. I would like to urge the pharma companies that if they have anything of this sort which would provide relief to lakhs of families, then they should make it available to each and everyone. Making a profit out others' miseries is not business but crime. And if Sanjay Dutt is making false claims, then he should eat his words.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur.