For whatever it is worth, one must say that there is some novelty in the way the members of Prokrichi and 26 BCS cadres have decided to register their protest. A programme of three-day mass leave is something that was rarely seen in the past. Designed to pressure the government to accept its demands, the Prokrichi appears to be heading for a head-on collision with the authorities. To generate some sort of public debate this paper serialised a position paper from one of the leaders of Prokrichi .which explained in details what they wanted.

What the members of Prokrichi appear to want is a complete overhaul of the present administrative system. The serial that we carried and the readers, response that we got. made us conclude that what the Prokrichi was asking for, was of a fundamental nature, and one that would have a profound impact on our government. Therefore much thought and a lot of discussion were needed before the nation could proceed on the direction that were suggested. Without pronouncing a judgement on the merits or the demerits of the Prokrichi formula, we would say that given the fundamental nature of the suggestions, we should have a wide-ranging national debate on the subject.

In this regard we propose that the issues being raised by Prokrichi be debated in the Parliament. In this regard the government should immediately open a dialogue with them, suggesting a free and open discussion in the next session. On that understanding. we would urge the Prokrichi not to aggravate the matter and desist from further action till the Parliamentary debate is held. The professionals, as represented in this group, have already waited many months, another 60 days wait will not harm their cause. Instead, such a move will create a public goodwill for having given the highest law making body of the land a chance to deliberate on the matter.

What has been puzzling in all this is the way the government has dealt with the whole affair. After the last negotiations, the government has maintained a total silence on the demands and thereby has allowed the situation to drift away. There was an obvious lack of openness in the way the government handled the matter. It should have made public, its reactions to the Prokrichi demands. Demands that were acceptable, and those that were not, should have been clearly stated, and the public should have been taken into confidence.

We regret that the matter has been allowed to drift further and a situation has been created where direct action and confrontation became necessary.

However, we feel that a Parliamentary debate is the best way to proceed in this matter. In the meantime both the Prokrichi and the government should carry on their activities of educating the pubbe-in the negative and positive aspects of their respective positions.