<div>Pushing the limit of tolerance<br /><br />The legislators would be provided an easy entry into clubs and associations through the bill. By making it mandatory for private entities to provide unconditional membership to elected members, the government is certainly pushing the limit of tolerance. <br /><br />Worse still is that fact that, going by the bill, these people see themselves in the same light as decorated servicemen, renowned sportsmen and other such famous personalities. <br /><br />This to me is blasphemy of the highest kind. Cutting across party lines the only issue that politicians these days seem to come together, are matters that lead to them gaining greater perks and a better standard of living.<br /><br />I don't intend on asking our elected members to lead a spartan life, but at least have the decency and regard to put the lives of the common man ahead of yourself, and work to create a tangible change before you think of extending the perks offered to your designation. <br />Nischal Muralidhar, Indiranagar, Bengaluru<br /><br /><br />Let it be legitimate<br /><br />There should be no automatic membership to elected members of the government such as MLAs/MPs into prestigious clubs. Only those who get legitimate entry into such clubs (which in any case have long waiting lists) can be made members.<br />Chandrika Iyer <br /><br />Politicians can’t be parasites<br /><br />Recreation clubs were opened by the people who loved sports and fun. They worked hard and raised money in the form donations from new members. The members, while joining, agreed to the terms and conditions of the clubs. Some of the clubs in Bengaluru were built by the Britishers. They fixed the dress codes to maintain the decorum and to give good ambience where all top people like army officers and their families enjoyed the activities of the clubs. After they left, the club was inherited by the members. The practice is still going on. So the Government need not interfere in the dress code. <br /><br />The MPs and MLAs need not be treated as special categories as they are supposed to be the servants of public. Almost all clubs are paying tax to the state for running the clubs and it is definitely not small amount. So why interfere in their business which is going on smoothly for years? The distinguished people like sports persons get honorary membership without the government’s interference. Maximum what the government can demand is to reduce the exorbitant fee charged to the new members. <br />Politicians are suppose to serve the people. They cannot be like parasites.<br />G S Meenakshi, 110/Y, 4th Main, 4th Phase, 7th Block, BSK III stage, Bengaluru.<br /><br />Drop the proposal <br /><br />I strongly object to the proposed law since they are already getting salary and perks for doing their job. They are elected to serve the nation and not enrich themselves with the memberships to the clubs. Even if they want to make the proposal to get membership it should be withdrawn once they demit office. If the government means to serve the people then they should drop this proposal. <br />Madhusdan Rao<br /><br /><br />A shortcut for club membership<br /><br />The draft legislation is only an attempt by legislators and government officials to muscle into clubs without due process, and by shortcutting the waiting lists. These attempts must be resisted, and I am sure this will not stand in any court of law. I agree dress codes should be modified.But does this really require legislation? I am sure lawmakers should have more important issues to deliberate. <br />Arun Thiagarajan<br /><br /><br />Club is a place where they ought not to be<br /><br />This bill is atrocious. We have not elected our MPs, MLAs, corporators and so on to intrude into our private engagements. Club is a place where they ought not to be. They need to be in their contingencies/wards to listen to people's problems and respond to them.<br /><br />Letting them into clubs, associations, trusts etc., can be likened to an old story ‘An Arab and a Camel’ I read in my school days. The camel, to begin with, seeks permission from the Arab, its master, to insert its head into the tent to protect it from the harsh sun; then neck, front legs and eventually it occupies the whole tent and kicks the Arab out.<br /><br />The residents’ welfare association should call the elected representatives and convey him/her strong protest against the bill. They should be reminded that they have better business to mind than clubbing and indulging in association and trusts.<br />Dinesh Nayak <br /><br /><br />8-year wait for club membership<br /><br />The government has far more important things to do than interfere with private clubs and other such institutions. Let the government attend to power and water shortage and related issues. MPs/MLAs and other elected representatives are not barred from becoming members of any private club. But they should follow the due process. I have been waiting for the KGA membership for the last eight years and will probably have to wait for another eight years. I hope some common sense will prevail.<br />Vijay Noronha<br /><br /><br />The deadline for the public to file their objections/suggestions to the controversial draft Karnataka Entry into Public Places (Removal of Restriction on Dress and Regulation of Membership and Fee) Bill, 2015 ended on Friday (September 18).<br /><br /> Deccan Herald had invited readers to express their views on the draft bill. From September 10 to 18, we could publish only a fraction of the hundreds of letters we had received. The published as well as the unpublished responses will be forwarded to the chief minister.<br /><br />This is the last set of letters we are publishing. We thank our readers for their overwhelming response. <br /></div>
<div>Pushing the limit of tolerance<br /><br />The legislators would be provided an easy entry into clubs and associations through the bill. By making it mandatory for private entities to provide unconditional membership to elected members, the government is certainly pushing the limit of tolerance. <br /><br />Worse still is that fact that, going by the bill, these people see themselves in the same light as decorated servicemen, renowned sportsmen and other such famous personalities. <br /><br />This to me is blasphemy of the highest kind. Cutting across party lines the only issue that politicians these days seem to come together, are matters that lead to them gaining greater perks and a better standard of living.<br /><br />I don't intend on asking our elected members to lead a spartan life, but at least have the decency and regard to put the lives of the common man ahead of yourself, and work to create a tangible change before you think of extending the perks offered to your designation. <br />Nischal Muralidhar, Indiranagar, Bengaluru<br /><br /><br />Let it be legitimate<br /><br />There should be no automatic membership to elected members of the government such as MLAs/MPs into prestigious clubs. Only those who get legitimate entry into such clubs (which in any case have long waiting lists) can be made members.<br />Chandrika Iyer <br /><br />Politicians can’t be parasites<br /><br />Recreation clubs were opened by the people who loved sports and fun. They worked hard and raised money in the form donations from new members. The members, while joining, agreed to the terms and conditions of the clubs. Some of the clubs in Bengaluru were built by the Britishers. They fixed the dress codes to maintain the decorum and to give good ambience where all top people like army officers and their families enjoyed the activities of the clubs. After they left, the club was inherited by the members. The practice is still going on. So the Government need not interfere in the dress code. <br /><br />The MPs and MLAs need not be treated as special categories as they are supposed to be the servants of public. Almost all clubs are paying tax to the state for running the clubs and it is definitely not small amount. So why interfere in their business which is going on smoothly for years? The distinguished people like sports persons get honorary membership without the government’s interference. Maximum what the government can demand is to reduce the exorbitant fee charged to the new members. <br />Politicians are suppose to serve the people. They cannot be like parasites.<br />G S Meenakshi, 110/Y, 4th Main, 4th Phase, 7th Block, BSK III stage, Bengaluru.<br /><br />Drop the proposal <br /><br />I strongly object to the proposed law since they are already getting salary and perks for doing their job. They are elected to serve the nation and not enrich themselves with the memberships to the clubs. Even if they want to make the proposal to get membership it should be withdrawn once they demit office. If the government means to serve the people then they should drop this proposal. <br />Madhusdan Rao<br /><br /><br />A shortcut for club membership<br /><br />The draft legislation is only an attempt by legislators and government officials to muscle into clubs without due process, and by shortcutting the waiting lists. These attempts must be resisted, and I am sure this will not stand in any court of law. I agree dress codes should be modified.But does this really require legislation? I am sure lawmakers should have more important issues to deliberate. <br />Arun Thiagarajan<br /><br /><br />Club is a place where they ought not to be<br /><br />This bill is atrocious. We have not elected our MPs, MLAs, corporators and so on to intrude into our private engagements. Club is a place where they ought not to be. They need to be in their contingencies/wards to listen to people's problems and respond to them.<br /><br />Letting them into clubs, associations, trusts etc., can be likened to an old story ‘An Arab and a Camel’ I read in my school days. The camel, to begin with, seeks permission from the Arab, its master, to insert its head into the tent to protect it from the harsh sun; then neck, front legs and eventually it occupies the whole tent and kicks the Arab out.<br /><br />The residents’ welfare association should call the elected representatives and convey him/her strong protest against the bill. They should be reminded that they have better business to mind than clubbing and indulging in association and trusts.<br />Dinesh Nayak <br /><br /><br />8-year wait for club membership<br /><br />The government has far more important things to do than interfere with private clubs and other such institutions. Let the government attend to power and water shortage and related issues. MPs/MLAs and other elected representatives are not barred from becoming members of any private club. But they should follow the due process. I have been waiting for the KGA membership for the last eight years and will probably have to wait for another eight years. I hope some common sense will prevail.<br />Vijay Noronha<br /><br /><br />The deadline for the public to file their objections/suggestions to the controversial draft Karnataka Entry into Public Places (Removal of Restriction on Dress and Regulation of Membership and Fee) Bill, 2015 ended on Friday (September 18).<br /><br /> Deccan Herald had invited readers to express their views on the draft bill. From September 10 to 18, we could publish only a fraction of the hundreds of letters we had received. The published as well as the unpublished responses will be forwarded to the chief minister.<br /><br />This is the last set of letters we are publishing. We thank our readers for their overwhelming response. <br /></div>
