Extortion by middlemen
Dear Sir,
This is to bring to the notice of authorities the way some real estate agents are fleecing poor customers.
When the agents realise an expatriate is in a hurry to find accommodation, they exploit the person to the maximum, often hiking the rental rates arbitrarily.
When customers ask for a rental agreement that needs to be submitted for family visa applications, they charge anything between QR1,600 and QR1,800. The actual fee paid to the municipality for issuing such an agreement is just QR350.
We have here a classic example of middlemen being benefited at the cost of the government.
MA, (Full name and address supplied)
Residency formalities
Dear Sir,
The letter, “Lack of planning” (Gulf Times, July 21), highlighted a major problem facing companies bringing in new recruits. The decision to reduce the number of days to complete the process of the residency from 90 to 30 seems to have been taken without any due consideration.
As it is nearly impossible to complete mandatory medical tests before the 30-day period, how can the new deadline be met?
Hope better senses will prevail and authorities will review the decision and reinstate the original 90-day period for completing the residency formalities. At least until a faster medical test system is put in place.
MN, (Full name and e-mail address supplied)
Poison meals at school
Dear Sir,
The death of more than 20 children after consuming contaminated midday meals in their schools in Bihar, India, has come as a shock. Is this the way India is going to design its developmental structure?
The quality of midday meals has been questioned for long in India. There have been allegations that they are not really healthy at all. Reports about insects being found in food or rotten meals being supplied to children have been rife. Why hasn’t government taken any action so far? Why are people not raising their voice against this?
There should be proper monitoring of the food provided to children. It is my request to the Supreme Court of India to take strict action against the guilty, whoever they may be. And also, it is the time for people in India to wake up from their slumber and stand hand in hand to say: Enough is enough. If people stand united, they can bring about positive changes in our world.
Azra Khatoon. PO Box 6094, Doha
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