| June 16, 2008 | Monday | Jamadi-us-Sani 11, 1429 |
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Working of district govts
DHQ hospital in bad shape
Training at NIPA
Reconciliation for civil servants?
Merit-n-merit
Planting fruit-bearing trees
Justice denied
Abolishing self-finance scheme
Daylight saving time
Readers are requested to restrict their comments to a maximum of 400 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of clarity and space. Letters, including those by e-mail, should carry the complete postal address of the sender. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.—Editor
AMONGST the daily shower of ‘vows’ taken at public forums and delivered to us hungry, anxious souls, the one that shook me as being a disaster was the one about taking 20,000 (or two million) children out of the workforce. They would be paid a stipend, the vow elaborated, and sent to schools.
No person in their right mind can look without sadness at the many films being made of children at work, especially if you are one of the lucky few who have had a happy childhood, have a comfortable life, and are now in a position because of which your children can enjoy all (and more) of what you had.
If somebody took time off to talk to child labourers and asked them why they worked and where their money went, it would be evident that the government should also have to compensate the family (or part of it) that the child’s income supports.
These young boys and girls are aware of their responsibility and appreciative of the ‘slogging’ that both parents and siblings are involved in to keep body and soul together.
True, some of these kids indulge themselves by eating ‘gutka’, pa’an and smoking, but that is not the reason for them not going to school. Political party youth groups need to interact closely with the other half.
Slums and kutchi abadis and government schools have miles between them. The school timings clash with work hours, so even if there were really fired-up youth who wanted education at all costs, it would be impossible to find the right school. (Perhaps one should not forget to pay tribute to the organsers of the Lyari Pavement Schools that function from evening onwards.)
A decade ago, through an agreement between the government in its perpetual quest to entice donors and an almost equal desire of our benevolent loaning friends, children were taken out of the football industry.
They were sent to school and stuck there with a stipend. Drums beat about this great achievement. Suddenly, due to some reason (any will do), the stipends stopped and the children were left midstream, neither here nor there.
Pakistan lost its place in the export sports market. Perhaps that was part of the agenda! Consequently, the children, who were now at a loose end, went into the surgical implement industry. If football making was hazardous, the next option was lethal. There are many lessons to be learnt from that fiasco.
Let us admit that with millions living below the poverty line and a budget which is expected to order tightening of belts, the programme to take children out of work, making them dependent on dole as an incentive to go to school is a sure prescription for disaster.
Playing with human lives, especially during the most vital years, without meticulous planning and cast-iron guarantee that support to families will continue, that there is constant monitoring and evaluation of the programme to assess what effect the academic part is having on the attitude and aspiration levels of the ‘beneficiaries’, is a big risk.
I am apprehensive about the results of this monstrous plan. From observations and lessons learnt from educating boys and girls at a 9am to 9pm learning centre with cooperation of the employers, I believe the best way to educate is to instruct and provide protection against occupational hazards, and give immunisation and health cover, while allowing children above the age of eight to continue learning, a skill trade, hands on.
The families too, in the last five years, have participated in meetings and even ‘viewed’ art exhibits and drama, which students (some or around 16 to 17 years old) have organised.
More importantly, two of the five children who were at the centre are regulars at a properly registered vocational technical institute, at the end of which course they will be certified welders etc. but have acquired a know-how of physics theories vis-a-vis machines. This is an appeal for a second thought.
PROF ANITA GHULAM ALI
Karachi
GEN Ayub Khan established union councils in 1958 in order to get support from the same and linger on his power. Pervez Musharraf walked on the same pattern and established district governments to enhance his power.
The union councils to some extent were rendering the services to the local people and did not endanger the government but the district governments of Mr Musharraf have failed absolutely.
The people are sick of such government and looking to the people’s government anxiously for the abolition of the same. A monarch is there in the district government and he is as strong as was the Shah of Iran.
There is no law and rule in a district. Words emanating from the mouth of the nazim becomes the order of the day. No one officer/official dare defy his orders. If anyone hesitates, he is humiliated first and then transferred to a far-flung area, and the whole government machinery is paralysed. The policy of ‘do and die but do not say why’ is adopted by the nazim in the district.
The opponent group is being crushed. Contracts for development work are given to the relatives and partymen of the nazim. The government money is being looted with both hands. Many development schemes are on paper only. Relatives, friends and union council nazims who were hand to mouth and selling milk in the streets have become ‘crore patti’.
Officers of the DMG group have been disgraced by being forced to work under the subordination of uneducated district nazims.
Education in the district stands devastated. Teachers say they are workers and voters of the district nazim. No one can press teachers to perform their duty. Education is over and gone.
The district nazim is a powerful person, more powerful than a chief minister who does not go beyond receiving summaries from secretaries and the chief secretary. A district nazim feels no need to ask anybody, he is absolute and nothing can move without his order.
In this system political opponents are crushed badly. Their plots and land are occupied forcibly, no person can sell or purchase any plot in the district. Revenue officers are forbidden not to issue any sale certificate to anybody. No FIR can be registered against any culprit belonging to the party of the district nazim. However, FIRs against the opponent group are registered without any mistake to harass them and put them in danger and difficulty.
The PPP government has admitted the failure of the district government and let us watch when it abolished for the relief of the people.
RAB DINO KHASKHELI
Thatta
THE miserable condition of DHQ hospital, Chitral, invites the attention of relevant authorities as it lacks basic health facilities, which are essential for the existence of any healthcare centre.
People from far-flung areas of the district bring their patients here for proper treatment, but they find lack of interest on the part of hospital staff. Medical and paramedical staff of the hospital show indifferent attitude towards their patients. Ordinary cases are referred to Peshawar, which causes a great trouble for the patients.
People who visit this hospital are usually poor, who cannot afford the expenditure of traveling to Peshawar. Rich people always prefer district hospitals and private clinics and, therefore, do not need to visit government hospitals.
The DHQ hospital in Chitral lacks modern equipment, especially laboratory equipment are outdated. Medical officers of the hospital don’t trust their laboratory reports and advise patients to go to a nearby private laboratory for tests because their reports are reliable.
I would also like to draw the attention of the authorities towards the poor conditions of cleanliness in the hospital. Clean wards, washrooms and offices always help reduce the sufferings of the patients.
BASHIR HUSSAIN AZAD
Chitral
FOR the promotion of officers of Civil Services of federal and provincial governments from BS 19 to BS 20, it is mandatory to undergo a management training.
Previously, such training was being imparted at NIPA institutes at Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Islamabad.
Since last year duration of this training has been extended from four months to five-and-a-half months and is being conducted at Lahore only.
In this era of decentralisation, such a step is creating many problems for the officers, which are enumerated as under:
a. The officers become deprived of the sharing of knowledge, experiences and expertise of scholars of very high calibre, available in cities other than Lahore, as the choices of inviting such eminent scholars become very limited. Such experienced and senior scholars on relevant subjects, including management at senior level, based at cities other than Lahore, find it difficult to be there regularly.
b. The government expenses become manifold, specially on arranging the arrival and stay of such visiting faculty at Lahore.
c. Expenses on TA, DA, board and lodging of the participating officer go up many times, burdening the government unnecessarily.
d. Arrangements and facilities of such training already available at stations, such as Karachi, Islamabad and Quetta, instead of being improved and upgraded are becoming redundant.
e. Officers at middle management level have usually their families settled in one or the other city and become disturbed / displaced for quite a long time and being separate from their families they find it difficult to concentrate on their training.
f. Female officers particularly become upset on being away from their family as the children of these officers are of growing age and need proper lookafter as regards their studies, health, etc.
In view of these practical difficulties, it is suggested that the previous system of conducting the above-mentioned training at Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Islamabad should be restored and the duration curtailed to three months, which is enough time for this kind of training at middle management level.
ISLAMUDDIN
Additional director (audit)
Sindh Karachi
WHILE politicians and other influential people have got immense benefit from the NRO, what about poor civil servants whom the Musharraf government most unfairly dismissed from service over petty matters and then unjustly denied them their just promotions.
Also civil servants who were put on the ECL and humiliated and their careers destroyed by ‘Gestapo’ NAB on trumped-up insignificant charges -- which ultimately could not be proved -- what about them?
Shouldn’t there be a justice and reconciliation commission for such officers where their grievances could be heard and justice dispensed.
I would, therefore, appeal to all affected civil servants of the country to formally get together on a common platform and demand from Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif a ‘justice and reconciliation commission’ for all aggrieved civil servants who suffered during mr Musharraf’s despotic rule.
MUHAMMAD ASGHAR
Karachi
“WHAT is merit?” asked the jesting minister and would not wait for an answer, for he had his own definition of what merit is.One of the major political parties has been talking aloud for strengthening institutions but the recent appointments of chairman and members of the Sindh Public Service Commission through backdoor are contrary to what has been advocated and the institution of Sindh Public Service Commission is most likely to be weakened.
It is alleged that the chairman of the Sindh Public Service Commission and the members of the Commission are Big Brother’s friends. Big Brother is known for favouring his friends. He has been doing so and would perhaps continue doing it, although some of his friends had betrayed him in the past.When there is a search committee for appointment of vice chancellors, there is no reason why a search committee should not have been constituted for making appointments of the chairman and members of Sindh Public Service Commission, merit-based and transparent.
The judiciary is the next institution in line to be handled with care and strengthened. It would be disastrous for the country if it is weakened.
ARSALAN
Karachi
THERE has been a constant decline of area under forest cover throughout Pakistan for one reason or the other. Billions of rupees will be spent again and one hopes that the trees planted now live to see adulthood and live long enough for our children and grandchildren. The fact on the ground is that as soon as trees start maturing, people cut them to use as fuel and also sell the wood for other purposes.
In the past trees were planted without proper studies. For example, Australian eucalyptus trees were introduced in the 1980s. The forest department sold their saplings for as low as Rs3, encouraging farmers and all tree lovers to use eucalyptus extensively.
Studies by the WWF have shown that this tree sucks groundwater like no other tree in Pakistan. Birds are driven away by its peculiar smell and its timber is not comparable to others available in Pakistan.
It is suggested that we consider planting fruit-bearing trees. They will not only provide the forest cover we desperately need but would also provide some source of livelihood to the poor living in the vicinity.
In addition, the people living close by will start to own the trees and would nurture them. Since these trees will bring something to them every year, chances are that they will not cut them or their branches.Why would a poor Thari cut a date tree, when he stands to reap its harvest every year? He can use its dried leaves for making mats/baskets, the centre of the leaves for making brooms and he can use its bark as fuel? Why would a Pathan cut apricot and walnut trees? Why would a Baloch cut apple, olive and coconut trees. Why would Punjabis cut oranges, kinnoo, malta and lychee trees. Why would Sindhis cut mango and guava trees?
Aam kay aam, ghutlee’on kay daam.
S. NAYYAR IQBAL RAZA
Karachi
WE are all suffering from the phobia of restoration of judges while no one really cares if justice is being provided to ordinary Pakistani citizens.
Ten members of a poor family were kidnapped 10 years ago and the case is still pending. Imagine the plight of the poor father who did not see his four children for 10 long years.
Imagine the dark society we are living in where a 10-year-old girl is treated like a commodity and wedded to settle dispute between two families. Shame on us.
IQBAL SIDDIQI
Karachi
THE abolition of self-finance scheme from medical colleges is a step taken in the right direction by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif (June 12). This will enable more students to get admission on merit, irrespective of their financial condition.
Affordable and good education is the right of every citizen and to provide affordable and good education is the foremost duty of a government.
So, self-finance scheme must be abolished from all educational institutes so that maximum students could benefit from it.
ADIL SALEEM
Lahore
I AGREE with the views of Ahmad D. Bayat to the extent that the present daylight saving time (DST) practice is ill-conceived. This is practicable in Europe due to geographical, climatic and environmental conditions. Even some European countries have recently abandoned the practice of advancing the clock by one hour.
Now the sun sets around 8.5pm, which means the official functionaries, who close their offices at 3pm have clear five hours’ leisure, which mostly people waste or a few get some benefit in utilising the time properly or doing some part-time job or attending educational institution, etc.
The point to make home is that even after office timings we have roughly five hours’ daylight at our disposal. There is no shortage of daylight in our zone. Then why to function the offices from 8am, when majority of staff and officers come late in the morning and leave at 3pm.
The previous office timings from 9am to 4pm suit us keeping in view our geographical and climatic conditions and, moreover, our unmendable nature and habits. Offices of the federal government in Islamabad and other northern areas function from 8am to 3pm throughout the year. Is it possible and practicable in winter?
No not at all. In this season this is almost the rising time. It should be from
9am to 4pm throughout the year. In no case there should be five days’ working week. We need to work, work and work — so said Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. There is a long, long journey to travel, to survive, if not to compete.
Coming to the main issue of DST and energy saving. Officials care little about it. The government should call for monthly report from all departmental heads regarding the saving of electricity. The result will speak for the integrity of officials. Yes, there are a few who are cautious about this responsibility.
Apart from this, we should expect more from the nation. All segments of society should be persuaded to realise their national responsibility and help in this common cause. This practice should be throughout our life, not for a limited time. It should be like appetite. When we are hungry, we should take reasonable food, when not, we should save food, i.e. energy/electricity.
However, some realistic policy should be for hot zones and cold ones in northern areas, i.e. for summer and winter. The main thing is our intention, integrity and sense of responsibility.
What to talk of theft and kunda system. This is like cancer. The poor only steal light for one or two bulbs and a fan. They should be given electric meter free of cost and be persuaded to pay concessional/affordable bills. For so-called big people, Wapda should select at least a reasonable number of consumers in a big city, taluka, and monitor the consumption and payment of dues.
Also, our elected representatives should set examples of saving energy, using less energy and paying for the same. Wapda should be accountable for theft, losses and wrong billings. It has grown its family units in Hesco, Pepsco, Fesco, Quesco and so on and so forth.
There should be a rationale, simple procedure and gradual and continuous improvement in this national task. This needs even-handed efforts and cooperation of people, to do better, otherwise our future generations will suffer more.
MUHAMMAD ASLAM PATHAN
Former additional secretary of Sindh
Sukkur
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