Govt. dragging its feet

Sir, - Your Editorial (Dec. 6) on the postal strike has powerfully highlighted the relevant issues.

It is shocking that the government has been dragging its feet in the recent past on this important subject. The Minister's pre- occupation with the Bihar elections and launching of his new party are also stated to be the other `reasons' which have led to this sorry state of affairs!

Any observer would be struck by the fact that even on earlier occasions, the government had launched into really serious discussions only a few days after the commencement of the strike, by which time much damage had already been caused.

The urgency and earnestness called for by such emergency situations have rarely been exhibited. The only beneficiaries of such callousness are the courier agencies which have mushroomed all over the country and which cash in on such windfalls. One only hopes there is no nexus.

As pointed out by your Editorial, those affected seriously are not the urban elite or companies which have switched over to courier services on a regular basis, but the common man and small organisations. Students and job-seekers also depend upon postal communications which often involve deadlines for replies and time-bound action.

The telephone strike launched a few days back had disrupted the entire communication network, though only for a short while.

In the present high-tech age where much stake lies for all sections of society in prompt communication, the government should approach such recurring problems with greater seriousness.

Alternatively, it should consider declaring postal, telephone, railway and electricity services as essential and impose a ban on any organised disruption of work in these sectors.

K. Vijayaraghavan,

Chennai

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Section  : Opinion
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