Date:14/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/14/stories/2008071457710300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Avoidable tragedy

Logistically, it was wrong to ferry the elite Greyhounds personnel in one group in a motor launch to cross a water body located in naxalite dominant area.

The personnel had become sitting ducks as the naxalites positioned themselves on the hillocks surrounding the Balimela reservoir and fired at them indiscriminately. The personnel had no

means of defending themselves in the confusion that resulted in the launch capsizing.

It is a thumb rule both in the military and corporate worlds that no two senior officials are allowed to travel together for the simple reason of avoiding a vacuum. Top police officers should take the blame for the tragedy while the moral responsibility rests with the Home Minister.

G.M. Rama Rao

Visakhapatnam

Rethink on multiple tests

The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) has already recognised a few private associations for conducting separate entrance tests for engineering courses.

The conduct of EAMCET is purely based on the principle that all students should be given equal opportunity to pursue higher education. Had it not been for EAMCET, thousands of meritorious students would have been deprived of admission in engineering stream.

The latest decision of the APSCHE will subject students to multiple tests. Therefore, it should be withdrawn.

B. Ramana

Visakhapatnam

Unfair practice

Strange are the ways of the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA). In August last, it auctioned some plots, which the public purchased in good faith. Midway through the auction, it was learnt that some of the layouts put under the hammer like the one in Kummaripalem were not alienated from the government to the VUDA. The VUDA then said that they would be regularised soon.

Now, it is insisting on payment of penal interest of 18 per cent for slight delay in payment of instalments. The delay was due to financial institutions checking the legality of the transaction conducted by the VUDA before sanctioning loan. The total amount due to VUDA was paid well before the final instalment but the delay was only with respect to the first and second instalments. VUDA should be fair and should not force consumers to take recourse to legal action.

K.M. Lakshmana Rao

Visakhapatnam