Letters: Rules misrepresented

With reference to Ajai Shukla's report, "Army was not in favour of building Yamuna bridges" (March 23), it's disturbing to learn that the defence ministry thrice overruled the objections in this regard submitted in writing by the Indian Army, on the ground that the World Culture Festival organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living foundation, a private entity, was a "public function".

The manner in which the Army's reservations were brushed aside indicates blatant misrepresentation of the relevant clause in Para 301 of Regulations for the Army that lays down rules for employment of troops on duties in aid of civil authorities. According to the ministry, a private function is one "organised by a private individual, for private purposes, on private premises". Really?

The report states that an engineering regiment from Meerut was moved to build and maintain the bridges and equipment was transported from a large number of cantonments. Why should the exchequer bear the expenses of building such bridges? Actually, the Delhi government, which gave its approval to holding the festival and also requested the army to build the bridges, should have borne the cost.

This apart, we are yet to know how much ecological damage was possibly done by the festival. Perhaps, the National Green Tribunal should step in again.

S Kumar New Delhi

Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number