Hogenakal: TN not for cordial relations

Sir, Tamil Nadu should have officially requested Karnataka Government to allow the construction of the proposed drinking water project at Hogenakal, on humanitarian grounds. That they have no intention to have cordial relations with their neighbour, has been exhibited by their audacity of ignoring the sentiments of Karnataka. This is detrimental to the federal structure of the country. They are also ignoring the Centre because they are an important ally in the UPA set up. Elected representatives from Karnataka are not pro active in safeguarding the interests of the State in this particular issue. They have given this task to organisations like the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike. They take up the issue slowly after weighing the pros and cons of getting the votes from different groups. They are more interested in their selfish needs and use these issues accordingly.  The Kannada organisations naturally take up these causes. But their methods of agitation and protests are not appreciable.
 
M K Visweswara
Bangalore

Co-existence

Sir, The agitations organised by certain Kannada groups against the Hogenekkal drinking water project are unwanted. Actually these kind of agitations are being organised by political parties and other outfits just to protect their particular interests.

In Singapore, water is supplied by neighbouring Malaysia through a peaceful agreement. But, in India, we have Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka fighting for the Cauvery waters. People in Karnataka should come forward to supply water to their own brothers and sisters in Tamil Nadu.

Only through such peaceful co-existence, the federal set up of India could be protected.

T S Prakasam
Singapore

Pathetic scene

Sir, With reference to the report Girls do the balancing act, (DH, Apr 1), it seems some politicians have siphoned off the money meant for buying benches and desks.

The Lokayukta conducts raids only on corrupt officials and unscrupulous politicians are excluded from this process.

Recently during his visit to Karnataka, AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi described Karnataka as a progressive and prosperous state. Fortunately this school has a roof!

M S SHARADA PRASAD
Bangalore

Wasting money

Sir, With reference to the news story, Girls do the balancing act, (DH, Apr 1), let the public be aware that the Central government collects thousands of crores of rupees every year by way of education cess along with the Income tax, Service tax, Customs, and Central Excise duties.

One just wonders where all the money has gone. It is a pity that the government is not able to provide tables for the students.

K Krishnamurthy
Bangalore

Hang your heads

Sir, Everyone of us should hang our heads in shame when we see the picture of hapless girls balancing their answer papers on their laps while writing the SSLC examination (DH, Apr 1).

We can see such a situation only in government schools. And to add insult to the injury, strict orders have been sent out that the children should not sit on the floor and write. It would have been so much easier for the girls if they could have sat on the floor and used the benches as tables.

R Nair
Bangalore

Catch defaulters

Sir, The state government’s direction to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to put the Capital Value System (CVS), for assessment of property tax, on hold  is laudable.

The combined voice of opposition by bodies like the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), Citizens Action Forum and various NGOs and resident welfare associations has resulted in this momentous decision.

Now the BBMP should concentrate on collecting taxes from the defaulters, who form almost 50 per cent of the property owners in Bangalore and try to root out corruption rampant among their officials.

T V Jagadisan
Bangalore