Booking counters
The only counter for issuing platform as well as unreserved tickets in the northern entrance of the Tirunelveli Junction is kept open up to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Unreserved compartments of trains towards Chennai are in the front and if anybody wants to buy a platform or travel ticket, he or she has to go to the main entrance where one has to wait in a long queue since these counters issue tickets to local trains also. Besides, the upper-class coaches are also in the front and those who accompany passengers through the northern entry have to go to the main entrance to buy platform ticket when the counter in the northern building is closed. Hence, I request authorities to keep the ticket counters at the northern side open from morning till 9 p.m. as there are a few trains that leave late in the night.
E. Rajakumar Arulanandham,
Palayamkottai.
Ban felling of trees
Banyan trees are being axed in parts of Tirunelvelli district, in and around Elathur in Shencottah taluk, for road extension in total disregard for their status as National Tree. This practice is quite pathetic, tragic and shattering, to say the least.
Bereft of these trees, the village wears an empty look devoid of life. The villagers also suffer in silence, as their early day memories are woven into their height and girth. The trees have been a witness to political meetings, village gatherings, trade dealings, elopements, marriage and funeral processions.
Also a silent spectator to several batches of students getting in and out of the nearby high school
This majestic, magnificent, magical and marvellous tree of great antiquity, well known for its rich cultural, spiritual, ecological, social and medicinal significance, shelters and supports umpteen other species. Its presence is quite inevitable to the eco system as a whole.
Therefore, let me make a very humble prayer to the government to clamp a blanket ban on felling of Banyan trees, especially the ones that have witnessed half a century or more.
G. Nataraja Perumal,
Elathur.
LPG cylinder test
Recently, I came across a matter with respect to LPG refill. The scheduled pressure test quarter painted inside the stay plate is A-22, which means it has to be sent for pressure test in the first quarter of 2022. Gas cylinder regulations 2004 say that a new cylinder from the date of manufacture or from the test date is due for pressure test after seven years and subsequently once in five years.
The test date punched in the stay plate of the particular cylinder is March 2012. Hence, it is crystal clear that this cylinder has to be sent for pressure test in the first quarter of 2019 and not on (A-22) first quarter of 2022. Owing to short supply of new cylinders and backlog in meeting the demand for refills are we compromising safety standards?
J. Edison Devakaram,
Tuticorin.
RTE admissions
This refers to the news report, 'Fiat to admit 25 per cent poor students under RTE Act' ( The Hindu , May 26, 2015). It is deplorable that the heads of non-minority private schools are reluctant to reserve 25 per cent of seats for poor students as mandated by the Right to Education Act and that the Tirunelveli Collector had to convene a meeting of heads of institutions to stress their obligation under the Act. Under the provisions of the RTE Act, which came into force from April 1,2010, all private schools should admit children from weaker sections and disadvantaged communities to the extent of 25 per cent of their total admissions and the government shall reimburse the expenses to them. It is said that the Department of School Education has not reimbursed the cost for many years. Hence, the reluctance on the part of private schools. The private school authorities alone could not be blamed for this problem. The bureaucratic red tape in releasing the grant amount should be eliminated and the government should see that private schools are reimbursed the expenditure incurred towards enrolment of poor students without any delay. At the same time, the private school authorities cannot also shirk their responsibility in the matter as these schools are now run on commercial basis with a profit motive.
S. Nallasivan,
Tirunelveli.
TNSTC buses
A good number of buses being operated by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation in Kanyakumari district deserve to be condemned.
The consequence is cancellation of bus service in several routes, which puts the public to more inconvenience. Hence, the TNSTC should place orders for procuring required number of new buses to tide over the crisis.
K. Chelliah,
Aundivillai.
Bottled water
Tuticorin has two bus stands. Buses bound for places like Tiruchendur, Tirunelveli and Srivaikundam and all city buses are operated from the old bus stand that is crowded.
Bottled water marketed by the TNSTC is not available here. If it is made available, many passengers will be benefitted by it.
Ravi Ramanujam,
Thirukkurungudi.
