Vox Populi

Chandigarh

Develop barren land in Sector 17
A vast stretch of open land on the back side of the BSNL office in Sector 17 which though surrounded by various offices and banks has remained undeveloped and ignored. However,this area has the potential to be developed into a green belt by planting green grass and seasonal flowers along with providing of pathways for its users. It will not only provide an elegant look to the area,which becomes unusable during the rainy season but would also add to the beauty of the central vista (Sector-17 Plaza) as this entire area enjoys a special reputation. Further,some open areas of bank square also need immediate attention as they are in a very poor state. The authorities concerned should take necessary remedial steps to take care of such forgotten portions also in true spirit of the “City Beautiful”.

S K Gupta

Chandigarh

Teachers’ evaluation is a welcome step
This refers to report “PUTA members voice their fears” CNL,Jan 22. The Panjab University has decided to enable students to evaluate their teachers to make education more streamlined and transparent. Teachers will be judged by students on various scales like style of teaching,communication skills and teacher’s personal involvement in class.

It is a revolutionary decision as it will certainly bring positive results and enhance teaching quality by making teachers more disciplined and answerable but it might bring teachers under stress.

The Punjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) has rejected the concept of evaluation of teachers pleading that it was not an authentic way of evaluating the merits and capabilities of any teacher.

The members recommended that feedback forms should be handed over to teacher concerned and that the administration and authorities should have no role to play in the exercise.

M L Garg Chandigarh

Not pat,police deserve flak
A few days ago,the Chandigarh Police patted its own back,for the crime rate in the city was lesser in comparison to other cities. But the police seemed to have missed the ever-increasing figures of snatchings. Two days before the Republic Day,a snatcher created havoc in the city in broad daylight (“Snatcher on scooter cruises through city,targets eight women”,Newsline,January 24). And the police have filed only one case,as many victims did not want a case. Why? People are afraid of the police,as instead of going after the accused,they harass the victim. Even witnesses prefer to stay away,as legal proceedings are lengthy. The police should release figures of snatching cases — both solved and unsolved — in the city. When the court can take suo motu note of the increasing lawlessness in the city,why should the police need to wait for snatching cases to be registered? Why can’t the police take action against robbers and snatchers without waiting for a victim to officially narrate his or her tale of woes?

R K Garg

Chandigarh

City needs low-budget hotel,camping site
UT Adviser Pradip Mehra’s announcement that more low-floor AC buses will be added to the existing fleet is laudable,but Chandigarh,being a city of international fame,needs a big hotel for low budget tourists and a camping site. Initially,the site of Hotel Shivalik View in Sector 17 was earmarked for a “janta hotel”. Instead,a plush hotel came up on the site,where low budget tourists cannot even think of staying. Also,the site near Sukhna Lake was earmarked as a camping site,but it has been given to a horse riding society.

Narinder Singh

Chandigarh