Tamil Nadu

Delayed guage conversion work

It is a happy news that the newly laid BG track in the Tiruvarur–Nagore section will be thrown open for regular train services shortly. The Tiruchi–Thanjavur–Nagore BG conversion work was sanctioned when C.K. Jaffer Sheriff was the Railway Minister in 1995 and slated for completion by 1996. The project, which was prolonged due to various reasons, has been completed now after 12 years. The abnormal delay on this vital project has tarnished the image of the Southern Railway. I request the Railway authorities for the early execution of the branch lines up to Velankanni (for which foundation stone was laid in 1999) and Vedaranyam and extension to Karaikal. The Railways should come forward to introduce an express train from Mysore to Nagore immediately.

S. Gopalan,

Maraimalai Nagar.

At last the mandatory inspection of the newly laid BG track in the Tiruvarur–Nagore section is over. I request the Railways to introduce as many trains as possible to Nagore from Tiruchi round-the-clock for the benefit of the devotees visiting Tirunallar, Velankanni and Nagore.

P. Doraisingam,

Koradachery.

The sugarcane grower’s of delta districts were badly affected by the recent ‘Nisha’ cyclone and followed by heavy rain and flood. Crops raised in this area were destroyed. Sugarcane is an annual crop. From now onwards it will take minimum six months to get harvested. A farmer spends Rs.25,000/- per acre to raise the crop. More over there is no effective insurance coverage scheme, which will help the cane farmers during such natural calamities. In these circumstances suitable compensation has to be given by the Government.

S.Shanmughanathan,

Nagapattinam.

At Kumbakonam Railway Station no announcements are made about the arrival of trains except on days when some VIPs visit the station. Kumbakonam is an important centre where visitors, including foreigners arrive to visit the temples in and around the town. I request Railway authorities to take immediate steps for the announcement of arrival and departure timings of trains over public address system.

R. Kumaravelu,

Kumbakonam.

In most of the bank branches savings book entry printers are out of order for several days. Customers are put to inconvenience to get pass-book entry updated. The head offices of all the banks should provide a separate SB printer to branches for smooth and satisfactory service.

T. S. S. Mani,

Tanjavur.

Despite an Act in vogue to protect the interests of consumers, retail traders have the knack of outwitting buyers with impunity.

This they can do by taking shelter under the nomenclature, maximum retail price indicated on the packets of food products or manufactured goods, etc. Recently, I bought a one kg pack of common salt for Rs.5, though the MRP on it read Rs.10.

The same packet was sold at Rs.6 in another shop. No wonder if a third shop sells it at a higher price, but well within Rs.10 of course. In the eyes of law, none of them is guilty.

Till the day a fool-proof mechanism is in place for the consumer to know the ‘right’ price of products he buys, the legal stipulation of incorporation of maximum retail price will remain a damp squib.

Vengarai S. Raman,

Thanjavur - 7.

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