The government must ensure social security for labourers

Harsh Mander in Love’s labour lost (March 18) rightly exposed the hypocrisy of the Delhi government in its exploitative treatment of construction workers. While crores are being spent on the upcoming Games, those toiling to build the infrastructure needed for the sporting extravaganza are denied even the official minimum wages. It is ridiculous that no social security benefits have been given to these workers. It is time that the issues of unsafe working conditions, non-registration of workers and denial of social security, including accident compensation, are addressed by the government for the welfare of these labourers.
Sujata Madhok, Delhi

Mayawati rules the roost
Ajoy Bose’s article Comeback queen (March 22) made for interesting reading. Bose is right in pointing out that the BSP chief Mayawati is still ruling the roost in Uttar Pradesh. The hue and cry over her displaying wealth comes across as an attempt by her detractors to divert attention from her political achievements. With all the political pundits predicting Mayawati’s dismal political future, the fact remains that the BSP is still ruling the biggest state in India. Be it the by-elections or the council polls, Mayawati has been emerging stronger each time when faced with political challenges.
Rukhsana Khan, Lucknow

Delhiites to pay more for Games
The report To pay for the Games (March 23) comes as a budget surprise for all Delhiites. As if rising prices of essential commodities were not enough, we now have to pay more for celebrating the coming Commonwealth Games. The increase in the prices of LPG, CNG and diesel will only add fuel to fire and lead to widespread public discontentment. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit could definitely have thought of better ways to deal with the Commonwealth Games expenses than burdening the common man for it. As long as corruption rules the workings of the government, the public will
continue to suffer.
Prem Singh, Noida

In the name of the Commonwealth Games, the aam aadmi is being bled by the so-called elected democratic government. Sheila Dikshit’s announcement that Delhiites have to pay more for the Games is unjustified. We are citizens of a country where scores of people are dying for want of food and here we are blatantly displaying the finer side of life for a sporting event. The government should deal with the more pressing problems of hunger and poverty that confront us today.
Deepak Ahuja,